MPT have been running a series of ads in the local newspapers announcing that their SIM cards will be available via retailers from the 1st September (see attachment).

There was a large crowd outside one of the Elite shops today. All trying to get a SIM. Shop was sold out in the morning, asked people to come back after lunch.

Myanmar's state telecom operator moves to increase mobile phone users

Myanmar's state telecom operator moves to increase mobile phone users

YANGON, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) is making a new move to increase the number of mobile phone users by introducing more low-priced WCDMA 3G SIM cards across the country Monday to meet the demand of people.

The MPT SIM cards are being sold at a price of about 1.5 U.S. dollars, a change from the previous selling under lucky draw system.

The government is striving to increase the mobile phone coverage to 50 percent of the population by March 2015, and 80 percent by March 2016.

The number of mobile phones in the country reached 8.278 million as of April 2014, up 7.139 million from only 1.139 million as of March 2011.

The MPT has recently reached an agreement with two Japanese firms -- KDDI and Sumitomo Corp. to jointly develop mobile network.

Myanmar opened its telecom market and granted operator licenses to Qatar-based telecom operator Ooredoo telecom and Norwegian Telenor group early this year.

Ooredoo Myanmar has launched its commercial services last month by selling affordable SIM cards amid the strong demand of mobile phone users.

Another telecom operator Telenor is planning to sell its cheap SIM cards this month.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/xinhua-news-agency/140901/myanmars-state-telecom-operator-moves-increase-mobile-phone-