11 June 2013

Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) and its partners – KBZ Group and Myanmar Telephone Company (M-Tel) – announced ground-breaking plans to develop the telecommunications industry in Myanmar. The consortium’s proposal far exceeds the Union Government of Myanmar’s requirements in many areas, including network coverage plans and service prices. 

The consortium is committed to building a world-class mobile network, which will cover 95% of Myanmar population in 36 months, and bringing them affordable mobile services. Both urban and rural customers can look forward to a superior customer experience as well as innovative products and services that would transform the way they live, work and play.

SingTel has extensive operating experience in both developed and emerging markets like Indonesia, India, Thailand and the Philippines. It has a proven track record in operating fixed and mobile networks, and serves 468 million mobile customers. Together with the KBZ Group and M-Tel, which possess strong local presence and knowledge, the consortium is well-positioned to build a quality network that connects people, promotes business activities and spurs economic development. 

Through SingTel’s state-of-the-art satellites and submarine cables, Myanmar will gain immediate connectivity to an extensive international network and be part of future international infrastructure projects. With enhanced global connectivity, Myanmar will be able to attract and support new business investments into the country. 

To accelerate Myanmar’s development of its own international infrastructure, SingTel will invite the government to participate in feasibility studies for future satellite programmes and lend its assistance in the launch of a Myanmar national satellite. In addition, SingTel, as one of the lead parties planning the Southeast Asia-Middle East-West Europe (SEA-ME-WE)^[1] 5 submarine cable, will promote the inclusion of Myanmar to participate in the planning of the project. This is similar to the support SingTel extended to Myanmar during the planning and construction of SEA-ME-WE 3.  

Besides infrastructural development, the consortium is also committed to creating employment opportunities and imparting global best practices in people development, marketing, customer service, operations and corporate governance to grow the local business. 

Mr Mark Chong, SingTel CEO International, Group Consumer, said: “With SingTel’s vast operations in many parts of the world, our knowledge in building new infrastructure and services from the ground up is unrivalled. Myanmar and Singapore are friends in ASEAN. We want to bring more than just a domestic telecom infrastructure. We will bring international connectivity and innovative services that will improve the quality of lives of the people.” 

“There are wonderful opportunities opening up in Myanmar every day. With the strength of our local partners KBZ and M-TEL, we believe wholeheartedly that, through our investment, we can make a significant contribution to Myanmar’s success story by driving service quality, innovation and employment, while attracting investments into other industries that require telecom services.” 

U Nyo Myint, Managing Director, KBZ Group said: “KBZ Group is one of the largest conglomerates in Myanmar and has connections with the country going back more than 20 years. Our experience on the ground running large companies provides us with unique insights into the local operating environment.  We believe that the Consortium’s proposal will elevate Myanmar to be able to compete against other global economies in the upcoming decade.” 

Mr Jonathan Myo Kyaw Thaung, CEO, M-Tel added: “We have 60 years’ experience building businesses in this part of the world and are keen to support our country’s economic reforms.  We are very excited to be partnering with KBZ and an experienced communications company like SingTel.  We believe the Consortium can play a meaningful role in Myanmar’s exciting and fast-emerging economy.”