TWENTY-FOUR hour internet service was restored to Myanmar on October 14, sending hordes of young computer users streaming back into internet cafés that had been closed or operating on limited hours since connections went down late last month.

Officials from Myanmar’s two state-run internet service providers (ISP) – Myanmar Posts and Telecommunication (MPT) and Myanmar Teleport – confirmed that partial service had been restored on October 9 while full access returned last Sunday.

The partial restoration had prompted many internet cafés and public access centres (PAC) in downtown Yangon to reopen their doors on a limited basis. But since last week, with the return of 24-hour access, the cafés have been open for business as usual.

“[After October 9] I noticed that internet cafés around Yangon were opening for a limited time between about 12:30pm and 4pm,” said Ko Sithu Naing, a regular internet user. “Then last Sunday they started opening with more regular hours when full internet access became available.”

He added that he was happy to able to use email and chat services like Gtalk again.

The Myanmar Times last week caught up with another internet user, Ma Thandar, as she headed off to her favourite internet café for the first time since full service was restored.

“Today I’m going to meet with my online friends after a couple weeks of no communication because of the internet blockage,” she said, adding that she also expected to have a lot of new emails in her inbox to read.

Ko Thet Htun Oo from Gemini internet café said business was quick to return to normal after the internet was restored.

“At first we were only able to open for three or four hours a day but now we’re open full time and conducting business as usual, with our café full of users,” he said.

Meanwhile, many entrepreneurs whose businesses rely on access to email breathed a sigh of relief at the unblocking of the internet.

“Since regaining internet service we’ve been following up with travellers via email,” said U Hla Aye, the managing director of Shan Yoma travel company. “It’s very important for my business to be able to communicate with potential visitors from other countries.”

A spokesperson from a Yangon-based paddy export business also said the return of internet access was making life easier for the company.

“Now that access has been restored I can conduct business without any problems,” he said.

A spokesperson from MPT had claimed last month that the blockage of internet service starting September 28 was caused by damage to an underwater communication cable.