5 March 2010: Burma’s military junta has launched a CDMA network in Kalemyo, Sagaing division. It will provide 4000 CDMA-450 and CDMA-800 model mobile handsets to the public.

“We can apply for a CDMA phone through the Telecom department in Kalemyo by paying Kyat 2000 along with documentation like the family registration card and the National Identity card. It’s very cheap and good,” said a local.

The authorities will sell CDMA-450 handsets for Kyat 53,000 and CDMA-800 handsets for Kyat 15.5 lakhs to the people. The government will provide 2000 mobile handsets in the first installment, then it will be increased depending on demand, said 24-7 News Journal in Burma.

Although the government has not sold the mobile handsets officially, some were purchased from Mandalay and Yangon cities and are in use.

Local people are keen about mobile technology as it is useful for business and socializing. There are more than 10,000 applications submitted in the Telecom department in Kalemyo.