Myanmar junta limits internet, seizes satellite TV dishes

Myanmar’s military junta has tightened the rules on Thursday when the authorities in some areas have also started confiscating satellite dishes used to access international news broadcasts.

In Myanmar, the fibre broadband service, the last legal way for ordinary people to access the internet, became intermittently inaccessible on several networks, Asahi reports. The two local service providers, MBT and Infinite Networks, reported on temporary breakings in the line between Yangon and Mandalay, the country’s two biggest cities.

Since February 1st, the junta has gradually throttled down internet service. The first move was blocking social media, then cutting mobile data service, and finally, confiscating satellite dishes used to access international news broadcasts

Online news services Khit Thit Media and Mizzima said similar measures were taken in Mon state in the country’s southeast. Satellite TV offers access to international sources of news about Myanmar.