MYANMAR Info-Tech Corporation Ltd has announced plans to compile an updated list of licensed internet cafés throughout the country that it will then distribute to local authorities.

U Sein Win, the corporation’s general manager, told The Myanmar Times that Myanmar Info-Tech, which is the sole licence provider for internet cafés in Myanmar, has been updating the list of licensed cafés in all states and divisions.

When the list has been completed the company will distribute it to local authorities such as police and Peace and Development Councils, advising them which internet cafés are legal and which are not.

He said the all internet cafés with expired licences must renew before the March 25 deadline to make it onto the list.

Those who miss the deadline or choose not to renew their licence will be erased from the list of licensed cafés, known as Public Access Centres (PAC).
U Sein Win said the company was only distributing the list to authorities and would not be involved in any action taken against unlicensed businesses.

“There are many internet cafés opening without a PAC licence at the moment. The number in Yangon alone could be more than 1000. They are out of control and there is nothing preventing them from being a threat to national security,” he said.

Unlicensed cafés hurt legitimate PACs because they are able to offer lower per-hour rates, he said.

“Because they avoid paying monthly fees and charges to Myanmar Info-Tech, unlicensed internet cafés can offer lower rates for internet access than licensed cafés.”

He said Myanmar Info-Tech was creating a PAC trademark, which would be given to all licensed internet cafés so customers could easily identify legitimate businesses.

Myanmar Info-Tech was founded in 2001 as a consortium to implement national information and communication technology projects and became the sole licence provider for government-recognised internet cafés in 2005. Since then, all internet café owners seeking a PAC licence have had to apply to Myanmar Info-Tech and pay the company initial and monthly fees.