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The international community neglected to act against the Myanmar military, which used an internet access blackout as a military tool

On 11 July 2024 by SPP

Author: LSM

“To study the impact on the People of Myanmar due to the Myanmar Military Blackout of Communication and Access to Information.”

This policy brief outlines the effect of the Myanmar military’s internet access blackout on the people of Myanmar, especially in the context of the 2021 military coup. The significance of digital technology for development is emphasized, as is the unequal access to the digital realm of Myanmar. The military’s historical use of information blackout as a military tool, the impact of internet blackout on local people, and the implications for politics, education, healthcare, and migration are thoroughly explored. The document also delves into the experiences of individuals affected by internet and phone line blackouts, and their demands for support, and adds recommendations to address the crisis and the international community plays a role in responding to the situation.

Introduction:

In today’s world, digital technology is necessary for development in the social, economic, health, education, and political contexts. Countries are classified according to their level of digitalization. Connecting citizens is a vital part of digital solutions that rely on the Internet. Access to the internet and digitalization have had a major impact on the world.1

However, people do not have equal access to the digital realm, especially in Myanmar. The people of Myanmar currently use the Internet and mobile networks as their daily life jackets from the actions of the military junta since the coup.2 Having an internet connection is vital for survival across the country while the people using it to connect and engage with the virtual world have transformed various aspects of daily lives.3

The Burmese military commonly uses information blackout as a military tool. Under the military four-cuts strategy, communications interception has been utilized as an operational weapon since the era of General Ne Win in 1960, to defeat the communists and Karen armed forces.4 For instance, during military operations in many different states and regions, the military burned houses, and they constantly used tactics to blackout the internet before and during the operation.5

On February 1st, 2021, the army chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, seized control of Myanmar and wiped out all opposition to the army’s rule. He tries to repeat the history and the tactics or strategies that the military always applies in order to maintain their power. So, it has applied four-cut-system in many areas since the coup especially the areas that are strongly resistant. According to the Access Now and KeepItOn coalition’s new report, since the coup, 330 townships have been subjected to shutdowns at least once in 2022, and more than 50 townships will have been cut off for more than a year. And the longest period of internet access is over 18 months in Hpakant township in Kachin State.6

In Myanmar, defending human rights and having access to the internet are inextricably interwoven. The internet is much more than just information access and digital rights. To avoid the junta’s military assaults and horrors, one must have access to the internet. Thus, in order to prevent harm and save lives before it occurs, it goes beyond information/internet access and human rights.7

Methodology:
Research Question Objectives:
  1. To assess the effect of internet cuts on local people in specific regions. (Such as daily needs goods and services, missed information, combat news, etc]
  2. To examine what human rights were violated or, to document significant violations that occurred while the internet was shut down.
  3. To explore what is behind the suppression of internet blackout?
  4. To gather information on internet outage situations and policies to consider when implementing security plans.
  5. Identifying emergency measures to maintain communication when communication is lost or blackout. 
The brief history of the relationship between political power and internet shutdown

Home to the world’s longest-running civil war, Myanmar has not had peace since 1948.8 The military junta which seized power in 1962, isolated and ruled Myanmar until 2010.9 In 2010, the Tatmadaw handed over power to a quasi-civilian government, led by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (“USDP”) which was ultimately defeated by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (“NLD”) in the 2015 elections. Despite the civilian-led government, the 2008 military-drafted Constitution has enabled the military to maintain significant control. For instance, the key ministries of Defence, Border Affairs, and Home Affairs are not under the civilian government’s purview; they report to and are overseen by the military Commander in Chief, Min Aung Hlaing.10 The Tatmadaw institutionalized Bamar hegemony in all facets of civil, political, and cultural life, at the expense of ethnic minorities’ rights.[11]

The military campaigns against the Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) are actually an attempt to suppress those who may challenge the Tatmadaw’s grip on power.12 The result was a civil war and continuous conflict between the military and minority ethnic groups. Such as the Kachin Independent Army (KIA), Karen National Union (KNU), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and more armed groups, The resulting conflicts have been affecting civilians for a long time.

Due to this, there has been a significant increase in armed conflict throughout the country, with particular emphasis on the Araka Army (AA) in recent years. Many people’s lives have been lost in that region since December 2018, landmines and gunshots have injured 135 people and killed 42 children under the age of 18. The conflict was still ongoing and escalating until June 2019  it resulted in 200,000 new IDPs13 and shut down internet access in nine townships in Rakhine and Chin State. Nearly one million people in Rakhine and Chin State have been affected by internet shutdowns, which blocked information.14

“I am told that the Tatmadaw is now conducting a ‘clearance operation’, which we all know by now can be a cover for committing gross human rights violations against the civilian population,” the UN expert said. “We must not forget that these are the same security forces that have so far avoided accountability for the atrocities committed against the Rohingya in Rakhine State less than two years ago.15

The military has been using internet access as a tool (as military tools and it is one of their four-cut systems) to sustain their power and rule over the entire country since 1962 and nothing has changed.

Research Findings:
The Implication of Internet Blocking for Politics
Lack of internet access leads to more burden on daily tasks and isolation from the one you love.
The Internet is a valuable tool in our daily routine tasks to handle our work, school, and other social activities. Many blackouts of internet and phone line access have occurred across the country since the coup in Myanmar. Myanmar Military Junta has cut mobile data and networks across six states and regions in Myanmar.16 In ethnic and rural areas, it has been more prevalent than in urban areas. So, the people in local areas have more suffering due to their daily communication with others and commuters during the daytime. Because there is no signal to allow communication, they are unable to go to work or for other social purposes to prevent any conflict or warfare. In fact, the staff (who work for local organizations) who rely on the Internet were unable to finish their daily activities in a timely manner due to a lack of Internet connectivity, and it is challenging to communicate with colleagues because this platform also requires the internet for communication. [Female Respondent (CSO’s staff#1 from Kachin] reported being unable to download and send the single doc file through email, which is typically around 5MB. She also mentioned that to get the average internet speed is around midnight for completing daily tasks. [A female respondent #2 from De Maw Sot], stated that her husband was unable to concentrate and work properly because he had to transport her and their children to a place where they could access the internet for doing the school assignment from Bible College. Due to no internet connection, he must take risks to explore the community’s situation. The lack of goods and services to transport from the city to their village makes it more harmful to rural areas (local people) for basic food and medicine. On the other hand, when there is no internet connection available over a day, many residents expect to experience warfare and food shortages, so people rush to get enough food and other needs. So, it makes higher the prices for everything. “When the internet is cut off, for instance, I am no longer aware of the situation about the COVID-19 pandemic in the neighborhood. It was hard to determine if there were any human rights violations. If possible, I would like to return the internet line”, as expressed by a local resident (Myitkyina, Kachin State).17
Security concerns lead to migration across the country and into border areas.

 The February 2021 military coup in Myanmar has caused internal and external migration to become a prominent form of social mobilization. The key reason is security concerns, which is very clear. The State Administration Council (SAC) regime has caused many Myanmar people to go into hiding or flee to avoid atrocities not only in rural but also in cities like Yangon and Mandalay. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reports that since the coup on Feb 1, 2024, there have been 4474 deaths, over 25940 arrests, and over 20002 detentions.18 Almost all the interviewees have fled from their homes such as some are from Karenni (Kayah State) to Bago (Taunggu), some are from Kachin State to Mandalay and Yangon, some are from Chin State to Mizoran (India Border), and more due to save their lives from the military junta. Indeed, the people from rural areas faced more life risks every single day since transportation and communication were already challenges before the coup compared to the urban city which is getting worse and worse after the coup. [A female interviewee from Karenni] State stated that she no longer wishes to survive or live in this country. “My question to God is why I am human in Myanmar,” she asked. Questions like this illustrate the suggested deletion implies that the people are worthless. lack of human dignity of the people living in Myanmar. All they have is common sense. They don’t want to live in that area and want to live somewhere where it is safe. It takes us back to the Dark Ages when we faced oppression and had no way to communicate with each other. Even if the female interviewer from Chin State is conducting a funeral, we won’t be aware of what is happening in the next house or neighbor. “If the PDF or armed groups allow him to join the armed, he would join and want to kill at least one of the military soldiers because they are not human; they dare even to kill the animal that they see in the road like the livestock and destroy civilian properties especially burned down the church,” stated [A male respondent #4 from Hakha, Chin Stat ] an elderly man who fled Chin State for Mae Sot, Thailand. Consequently, those who choose not to join the armed organizations would have to leave their homes and seek safety elsewhere, such as in another state, city, or border country especially people who live near the borders. Consequently, the situation would escalate from a domestic issue to an international issue, particularly for the neighboring nations of Thailand, China, and India, which would have to take in the refugees and offer some medical assistance and humanitarian aid. “Myanmar Emergency Update (Oct 2nd, 2023)” states that since the coup, there have been 95,600 refugee outflows; at its peak, there were over 1 million refugees in June 2023, and over 1.6 million people have been internally displaced (IDPs)19 

The Experience of Internet and Phone Line Blackouts
  • During the interviews, it was reported that the majority of interviewees and locals experienced internet shutdowns and felt the worst situation compared to the previous 4 years before the coup. It is evident that certain individuals were not previously confronted with the situation before the coup, and 2023 is the most dreadful year for blocking internet and mobile lines in comparison to the previous two years. There are no particular reasons why there is no internet or mobile network connection, regardless of whether it was caused by warfare or not. In general, it occurs at least twice a week. There are different longest periods of internet blackout, such as those in certain areas of Karen lasting 15 days. About 4 months in some areas in Karenni, in Fa Lam (Chin State) blackout the internet for about 2 years after a couple of months of the military coup.
  • In October 2023, Operation 1027 was a significant event that happened. Since that operation began, the war’s momentum has spread throughout the country, and internet access and transportation are becoming more restrictive and challenging. The 1027 operation has impacted specific areas such as Karen, Kachin, Karenni, Shan, and Rakhine, which have faced internet access blackouts and conflicts more frequently. The news of Operation 1027 is welcomed and appreciated by the people of Myanmar, rather than the impact of challenges. which the Brotherhood Alliance, a coalition of three militias – the Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) – launched an attack in the northern part of the country against the military junta that ousted the previous government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup d’état in February 202.20
How the Internet’s Role in Education
  • The internet is a great platform for all over the world of students who are willing to learn consistently and throughout their lifetime. The internet and digital world offer countless opportunities for learning and exploration. The COVID-19 pandemic and the coup have caused difficulties for people in Myanmar in accessing the internet efficiently to learn academic studies or explore in-school education. Many students and teachers were unable to complete their school assignments and teach their subjects within the required time frame due to the internet being cut off constantly. According to one of the interviewees from Karenni, the Bible Colleges course normally takes 2 years to complete. It’s been 4 years, but it couldn’t be completed due to the internet access blackout. A man from Chin State applied to the school in Thailand but missed the interview because he didn’t have internet access. Consequently, he would be unable to study his passionate subject in Thailand. It was demonstrated that students waste their time, money, and energy for four years instead of competing in two years. Likewise, [A male respondent#3 from Myitkyina, Kachin State] is enrolled in an online course offered by the Thabay Education Foundation. Due to the absence of internet connectivity, he is required to move to Mandalay from Kachin State to finish and concentrate on his studies in the Community Leadership Program. While the rest of the world is embracing digital technology, online education, and self-study consistently. The people of Myanmar are unable to properly study in the fundamental education program. Also, they do not even have a chance to study online freely due to the limitations or constant internet connection cuts. [A female respondent #2 from De Maw Sot], had to flee her hometown with her 4-month-old daughter to obtain internet access for her studies. To obtain a stable internet connection, she has moved to four different areas of her home (a small village, De Maw Sot City, Karenni). The Taunggu in Bago State was finally acquired by her for educational purposes.
It makes it worse in healthcare.
  • The healthcare industry and our delivery of telemedicine and remote healthcare services have been transformed by digital access. The digital connection allows everyone to access medical resources, consult with health care, and receive timely health information. It would lead to better health and timely treatment of health issues. However, there are a few improvements in the digital world in Myanmar. We have been unable to access health information on time due to the lack of connectivity in many regions and places since the coup. The lack of connectivity and conflict in their areas, particularly in rural Myanmar, is causing more and more people to experience difficulties in accessing treatment and information. In healthcare, it also has a significant impact on people because they don’t have clinics or basic medical supplies. After all, the clinics and medicine are typically obtained from the city or town. To obtain information about the clinic’s status before leaving home, the locals usually contact or go online. Without any connection, they must go directly without knowing the road situation or whether the clinic is open or not. Occasionally, they have to return without any treatment due to the clinic being closed. If there was a connection, these things would not occur. For instance, due to the lack of internet access, the male interviewee said, he had to travel to the town to receive treatment or medicine. The trip took about 5 hours, which is usually 1 hour due to no connection to contact them and fear of path situations to the warfare as well. “Her spouse has been detained for a few days at the military deployment or checkpoint because he purchased some basic medicine for our family from the town to the village,” [A female respondent #2 from De Maw Sot stated]. It demonstrates the extent of the military’s systematic oppression of the populace. The lack of access to the internet and phone lines has a significant effect on the mental health of residents because there is no connection between family, friends, and coworkers. It consequently led to a higher number of accidents than usual; according to female interviewees from Myitkyina, there were over 70 occurrences of accidents in just eight days during which there were complete communication blackouts in Myitkyina, Kachin State. This number is the greatest.
What is the public’s voice for stakeholders or organizations?
  • People face challenges during internet and phone line blackouts, which can impact their daily activities, health, online learning, and communication. The interviews indicate that they have common interests and require support from external sectors such as Radio, Starlink, and Basic medicine. Even when there is no connection, they want to hear all the news that can be accessed through the radio. It is possible for them to hear news and music, at the very least, to maintain their connection to the world or the environment around them. The military or soldiers noticed that many people were using the radio to hear the news because there was no connection. It has been restricted and inspected when it crosses the checkpoint or military deployment. We’ve all noticed that some locations have Starlink access to the internet. A satellite internet connection is required for a large number of individuals and civilians. During the interview, a male participant mentioned that he could use Starlink internet in his area of Karenni, also called Kayah. However, to keep the internet running and maintained over the long term, the People Defence Force (PDF) must be paid between 1000 and 1500 kyats per hour. Yet, They (PDF) can’t provide everyone with long hours due to the limitations of users and speed. To summarize, it is extremely challenging to obtain basic medicine and health information due to internet outages and unstable circumstances that can occur during an armed conflict at any time. It is customary for patients to go to a township or city that has a clinic or hospital when they require treatment.
What are the people’s demands for authorization for this crisis?

The coup led to many conflicts, and the blackout of internet and information access is also an essential part of this crisis. Among the many demands and needs, there are certain common demands and requests for authorization for national and international purposes. Four highlights are shown to support them,1) including humanitarian aid. The military attacks have caused numerous migrations within the country, as we have witnessed in the news and heard. It is necessary for many individuals to have the necessities for survival, such as food, water, medicine, and shelter. 2) Collaborate with Myanmar’s neighboring country to provide a mobile network. China, India, and Thailand are especially affected by this due to their proximity to areas that have experienced severe war. Some individuals flee to a neighboring country and some individuals receive mobile networks from that neighboring country. Despite this, the network was unstable, and they partnered with the Myanmar military. So, it can also be cut off at any time. 3)To contribute more to the People’s Defense Force. The PDF’s ability to fight back against the military and end the armed conflict as soon as possible is a priority for many civilians. 4) To develop or offer a communication channel that can be utilized offline. As we talked about earlier, it’s crucial for everyone to have access to information and communicate effectively, especially in areas of intense conflict to prevent life-threatening situations. Having an alternative tool for communication without the Internet is also beneficial.

The one that the Myanmar military cannot take down

The Burmese military has been cutting internet and phone lines throughout the country since the coup d’état. In ethnic areas, internet service is regularly disrupted. The Myanmar military’s brutal killing of peaceful protesters has led people, especially young people, to take up arms. Due to the significant presence of armed groups throughout the country and the areas that are well-protected against and resistance to the military, the military has cut off more internet and phone lines than any other place. Karenni is one of them. Since the Starlink Internet became available in some parts of Karenni last year, it has greatly helped in communication and other sectors. The interview below was conducted by a male journalist from Karenni State (known as Kayah State)

 

Question: Can you briefly express your experience on the internet and phone line cuts that took place during the 3-year coup?

Answer: By the end of 2021, I had reached Karenni. Since that time, the Internet and phone lines have been used as “blurred”. The places where I used to get it are no longer available on the internet. The fact that there are no places for all operators to access the Internet means that each operator works in different places. I’m always searching for places where I can get internet access in various locations. Using a router is necessary, and it’s more convenient to work with Internet routers. At that time, one of them cost about 300,000 Kyats. A battery is necessary to charge the router for use. The internet and phone lines were completely cut off after the 1111 operation21 and no communication was received. After that, I gained Star link Internet and am now able to use it.

Question: Tell me about your first experience using Starlink Internet.?

Answer: Free Burma Ranger initiated posting and discovered that it could be utilized after it was posted, leading me to conduct an investigation. When I arrived at the location where I obtained the star link, it was very convenient when I began using it. The line is of high quality. I am capable of uploading, downloading, and sharing files/audio/video easily for my journalistic work. It’s possible to send, upload, and download files that normally take 2 or 3 days in just a few minutes. People didn’t use it very much then because it was only accessed by a few people.

Question: How many hours do you have access or availability for it every day?

Answer: There is no limit, but if many people use the sphere, the line will fall. And since it’s for home use, there is an opening and closing time. Starlink has been widely utilized in Karenni lately, but the quality of the line was not as good as before. There are still a few satellites that broadcast Starlink for Myanmar, as far as we know. It can be used for 24 hours, but since we don’t have electricity. We have to charge it with solar and battery, so we have to limit the time we use it. I am able to use around 8-10 hours a day on average. I’m worried about doing calculations during the rainy season because there won’t be enough sunlight, which won’t charge the battery enough. We are attempting to use it with a generator.

Question: How much does it cost and how long is the distance it connects?

Answer: The cost of a set of routers to capture the satellites is typically around USD 600. In addition, we have to pay a monthly fee of around USD 200 to access the Internet continually. Due to the current situation in Myanmar, it cannot be shipped directly to us. The cost is higher due to the many steps required for transportation to reach our hands.

Question: What are the pros and cons of accessing Starlink Internet?

Answer: Since the Burmese army cannot cut it, it is an advantage for us to use it regularly and easily. The drawback is that the cost is higher, particularly at $200 per month and not having enough electricity to recharge due to the current situation and the crisis on the ground. To be able to use it regularly, it is convenient to have enough systems (high voltage) for battery, solar, and a generator that can provide enough power to recharge the router device.

Question: What is the maximum number of people or users that a router can support? Is it the same for phones and computers?

Answer: In general, a good line can be used by 20 people or 20 devices. The internet connection is identical for both phones and computers. The line becomes overloaded, and it is not very good if it goes beyond that.

Question: What is a suggestion to maintain this internet access and communication?

Answer: Recently, the usage of Starlink has increased, and the line is not as good as it used to be. It would be better if there was an alternative. To use the current star link conveniently and regularly, we require $200 per month, which we find to be a burden because of the current situation. A good (high voltage) solar panel and battery are necessary for it to charge the router devices. To make the monthly payment, it requires an international payment card, and it would be advantageous if someone or an organization could assist with the monthly payment. As a journalist, I require a reliable solar and battery system that can access the internet 24 hours a day or at any time. Getting another replacement instead of the star link would be the most ideal option.

Question: Can you tell me how normal people use Starlink in there?

Answer: I am aware that there are approximately 4 or 5 groups that provide Starlink’s internet service. In the past, I used to use it. The minimum amount of 1,000 MMK per hour is set by them. As a member, you have the option to set a monthly payment in a step-by-step process. It’s important to be cautious since if too many people gather together and use it, there’s a chance of an airstrike attack. That’s why it’s necessary for them to use and stay with it in small groups or separately.

Question: What do you want to ask for advice from the external sector or authority?

Answer: As my work is a journalist, the internet is essential to be able to do my work regularly. Obtaining a strong solar system and a high battery voltage that can be recharged is the best option. It’s crucial to create something that can replace it, as I said earlier. The main obstacle is those things. In terms of things, I’m a journalist, so I need a camera and a laptop.

 

A look back at history repeats (root cause)
  • Following the coup, the Spring Revolution became a watershed in Myanmar’s modern history. Unlike other Myanmar revolutions such as the 1988 Uprising22 and the 2007 Saffron Revolution,23this revolution has a concrete advantage—in the form of migration when those past protests against military rule occurred, decades before the present, there were comparatively fewer migrants from Myanmar living overseas. The country had isolated itself. The country’s isolation itself was a political tool ensuring that very few people had the chance to witness the progress and prosperity of other countries. Seeing those countries might be a wake-up call to political mobilization inside Myanmar. There are, for example, an estimated 3 million Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, which hosts Myanmar people as the greatest percentage of international migrants in any single country.24 “Myanmar Emergency Update (Oct 2nd, 2023)” states that since the coup, there have been 95,600 refugee outflows; at its peak, there were over 1 million refugees in June 2023, and over 1.6 million people have been internally displaced (IDPs)25. This military council is considered the most brutal of any military dictators in Myanmar and the world by many scholars and political experts. A member of the media during the saffron revolutionsaid “Let’s face it, they want to arrest me because I was involved in the saffron revolution. When they don’t catch me, they don’t do anything to my family. Today, that’s not the case anymore, and if they don’t catch me, they will take one of my family members or my family as hostages. The brutality of the terrorist military group led by Min Aung Hlaing is the kind of brutality that this group has never seen before, not only in Myanmar but in the whole world.” 26. They attack everything that comes their way, not just humans but also a lot of public buildings including schools, churches, clinics, and hospitals, they don’t even let go of cattle and more have any humane feelings. To sustain their power, they simply do not care about cutting off internet access and oppressing or violating any kind of human rights. Since history cannot be altered, the international community must take more action against Myanmar’s military in order to protect its citizens (Myanmar people) from atrocities (Myanmar military) and to write a new history for them by permanently freeing them from dictatorship.
Recommendations:
  1. To create a communication channel or platform to listen and allow their expression based on the situation that they face: The majority of participants, based on the interview, were open to discussing their experiences with issues including poor internet access, conflict, and infringement. Within the interview period, they expressed gratitude for the interview and the fact that it lessened their load. It implies that in order to overcome their trauma and dread, they will all require some kind of mental health treatment that goes beyond internet access. A different communication channel, platform, or approach is necessary, as well as more communication and listening to their voice.
    • Start communicating and call some volunteers from that region for the facilitator and to lead the process.
    • Collaborate with local organizations and some religious leaders and groups.
  2. To provide more Starlink Internet and allow to use of the International Payment Card for monthly payment: It is still only available in some states and cities, but the Starlink Internet news is spread across the country and the demand is extremely high to access, especially in the ethnic areas.
    • To export the device, collaborate with the local authorities and organizations across the border areas and team up with Ethnic groups and local organizations in order to make it more effective, especially with Karenni leaders and groups since they have been using and know it better than others.
    • Build trust building with local armed groups and ethnic groups to implement safety and to reach the benefits equally to the grassroots.
    • Immediately can support and provide of payment card for the monthly payment for those who already had the Starlink.
  3. To provide some alternative communication channels or platforms: Since the internet and phone lines are very limited. If there are alternatives to communicating between family, friends, and relatives, it is the best option. Particularly in areas of conflict and when not all of them are same places.
    • To find the solution for alternative communication tools with international expertise and scholars, especially for the journalist to keep the news from the ground consistently.
    • To have an offline message system through the phone with no internet connection access even if it’s a short message can be delivered.
  4. To provide some devices for Journalists and CDM teachers/students such as laptops, Cameras, Hard disks, and a monthly cost for the internet. It is a requirement for them to provide staff with news that can be delivered continuously or daily while maintaining online learning and teaching for CDM students and teachers.
    • Cooperate with local organizations and revolution groups to prioritize the benefits, especially for the revolution group from the liberated areas, teachers, and journalists.
    • To provide for the monthly cost such as internet bill and other devices even though the internet can’t access adequate.
  5. To provide Radio and other devices or software to access news. It’s also one of the higher demands to get support, especially for rural areas and elder people since internet access is limited.
    • Provide more radio and another similar devices.
    • Create a new channel to access more news and consultation channels to link with the number 1 recommendation.
  6. To team up with Myanmar’s border neighbors to offer SIM cards and web access to border zones like China, India, and Thailand. The participants mentioned that those who live near the border can access SIM cards and internet from the border countries, but the price and line are not consistent. To stabilize and expand the network, it is necessary to consider and collaborate with the authorities in those areas.
  7. To provide basic necessities: The limitations of internet access for communication and warfare have made it difficult for them to meet their daily needs such as goods, groceries, and medicine. As previously mentioned, the military can even detain them for transferring or buying it from one place to another. Immediately and effectively addressing and supporting it is crucial.
  8. The international community and organizations must collaborate more, stand with the people, and take immediate and decisive actions to respond to the Myanmar junta in various ways. It’s not solely a domestic crisis, but it also has an effect on the international crisis, particularly in the border region. The internet is not the sole focus, as it is linked to political issues and other crises, such as access to information, human rights violations, and other violations across the country. The Myanmar military caused violations and issues prior to the coup and continued to commit more atrocities after the coup in 2021. To end the war and protect the people of Myanmar, it is crucial and important for the international community to play a greater role.
 References.

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