Myanmar Signal Receiving and Communication Towers

Myanmar has approximately 25,000 telecom towers serving over 56 million subscribers, with infrastructure managed by both local and international tower companies and mobile operators.

Overview of Telecom Infrastructure

Myanmar's telecom sector has grown rapidly since 2013, with the entry of operators like Ooredoo Myanmar, Telenor Myanmar, and Mytel, which expanded mobile coverage and reduced consumer prices . By 2021, the country had around 25,000 towers with an average tenancy ratio of 1.4, reflecting multiple operators sharing tower infrastructure . These towers support 2G, 3G, and 4G networks, with Mytel covering 93% of 2G and 60% of 4G networks after nationwide tower deployment .

Tower Ownership and Companies

Telecom towers in Myanmar are owned by a mix of network operators and tower companies. Key players include:

• Irrawaddy Green Towers (IGT), previously the leading towerco, acquired by CVC Group in 2021 .
• National Tower Development (NTD), a 100% locally owned company, specializes in building, operating, and leasing passive telecom infrastructure, managing over 2,000 sites and coordinating with more than 50 vendors .
• International towercos like EDOTCO and Huawei/ZTE have historically contributed to tower construction, with Huawei building 40% and ZTE 60% of towers, mainly in Yangon, Mandalay, and Naypyidaw .

Coverage and Technology

Myanmar's towers support mobile and broadcasting services:

• Mobile networks: 2G, 3G, and 4G coverage is expanding, with fiber optic integration improving internet reliability and speed .
• Broadcasting: State-run MRTV operates DVB-T2 digital TV with 14 channels, while private services like SKYNET and 4TV provide pay-TV and DTH satellite services .
• Future plans: 5G rollout and densification were planned but have been delayed due to political instability and security concerns .

Challenges and Recent Developments

The telecom tower sector has faced significant challenges:

• Political instability: The 2021 military coup led to internet shutdowns and attacks on telecom infrastructure, including Mytel towers .
• Security threats: Local militia targeted towers, and landmines were planted at sites, halting maintenance and affecting service for over a million users .
• Market exits: Telenor sold its Myanmar operations due to the unstable environment, impacting tower management and operations .

Conclusion

Myanmar's communication tower infrastructure is extensive but faces operational and security challenges. With 25,000 towers, multiple operators, and both local and international tower companies, the country has achieved high mobile penetration and growing internet access. However, political instability and security threats have disrupted maintenance, delayed 5G deployment, and affected service reliability, highlighting the need for resilient and secure telecom infrastructure planning .