Efforts by the military council to disrupt the flow of information have restricted internet connectivity in Kyainseikgyi Township, where residents report having access to the internet for only about three hours a day.
During heightened tension between the military junta and resistance forces in Kyainseikgyi Township, internet services have often been completely cut off. However, in November, residents reported that internet access was available daily but with strict time limitations.
“Around here, internet access is only available in the morning from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM. After that, the connection weakens, and by the afternoon, it’s nearly impossible to use the internet, even with VPNs. In some villages, the connection is completely cut off,” a local resident explained.
Although the 4G signal appears when connecting to the internet, it is completely unusable, which locals attribute to deliberate actions by the military junta. They added that this has caused significant daily disruptions to social life.
As a result of these restrictions, people needing urgent internet access are compelled to travel to villages where the internet is still operational, locals reported.
Additionally, since mid-September, internet and phone services have been entirely cut off in at least 10 villages in Kyainseikgyi Township, including Anankwin, Lutshan, Paya, Putaw, Pan Aung, Khon Nawa, and Tanyin, areas experiencing intense fighting.
“In Anankwin, we’ve had no internet since the military tensions began. Nearby villages had some access, but as clashes escalated, even those areas lost connectivity. Now, all connections are gone. I’m currently in town and can’t communicate with anyone back in my village,” said a woman from Anankwin.
The military council has frequently cut phone and internet services in conflict zones to suppress the flow of information. In some areas, these restrictions have lasted for years.
According to Athan, a group advocating for freedom of expression, nearly 80 townships across Myanmar have experienced phone and internet blackouts since the military coup until February 2024.
