Mobile phone experience December 2014

[tai4de2]

MPT and Telenor have a presence at the airport but Ooredo does not. I wanted Ooredoo so I waited.

Bought a SIM at a shop on the street near Sule Pagoda. They wanted my name and passport number but weren't all that interested in the passport itself. The shop I was at had some minimal English proficiency but I also saw lots of Ooredoo SIMs for sale on the street and I think it would be possible to buy a SIM with no hassle if you could communicate with the seller.

Once the SIM was in the phone the service self-activated and I got welcome SMS within 5 seconds. Quick and easy! Refill cards come in 5k denominations. I bought 2.

Activated 1GB of data by dialing a code.

Total cost 1500 for the SIM + 10k refills but I used only 6900 fur the data plan I bought.

[tai4de2]

Data plans are here:

http://www.ooredoo.com.mm/en/Personal/Plans/Prepaid/Internet-Pack.aspx

Speed test hosted by Ooredoo's own server shows 5-6mbit speeds. International connectivity is variable but seems good enough for usable Facebook and gmaps. At first I was having really spotty connectivity but then I got a text that my "welcome" internet was depleted and after that things got more reliable. I think that initial period was not full 3G service.

Service is on 900 and 2100MHz bands.

I'm using a Nokia Lumia 1020.