Burmese bloggers report that prepaid GSM cards may finally be introduced in Myanmar, a country ruled by a military junta. This is good news to the Burmese and may help the attain positive political and social changes in their country.

Myanmar

Postpaid SIM cards are currently issued by the junta's Myanmar Post and Telecommunication (MPT) agency. One must submit a written request to "rent a GSM phone" to be able get the prepaid SIM card but the bloggers say that it is not always certain if the request would be approved.

Citing unofficial reports, the prepaid SIM cards will be sold for $50 each, with a $10 worth of initial credit. Top-up cards will cost $10, $30 and $50, with very limited validity periods of one week, three weeks and five weeks, respectively.

Call rates are $0.30 per minute for outgoing domestic call and $0.05 for incoming calls. Overseas calls will be charged $1.20 per minute.

Official estimates place at 200,000 the number of GSM phones now being used in Myanmar.