Skip to content
Telecom

Ooredoo Plans To Exit Myanmar

By Sarah Chen
1 min read
Ooredoo Feature 1200x627 1
Ooredoo Feature 1200×627 1
In this article (5)

Qatari telecoms giant Ooredoo is considering selling its Myanmar unit, a source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters, following the exit of Norwegian carrier, Telenor, in March this year.

Ooredoo is now the only foreign telecoms service provider operating in Myanmar amid the increasing pressure on the local industry, the result of the military coup launched in February 2021.

According to sources cited by Reuters, Ooredoo has notified the local regulator, Myanmar’s Posts and Telecommunications Department (PTD), of its plans to sell its Myanmar unit for an undisclosed amount.

One insider also told Reuters that potentially interested investors could include local conglomerate Young Investment Group, Singapore-headquartered network infrastructure operator Campana Group, and telecoms company SkyNet.

No final decision has yet been made regarding the potential buyers.

Reuters said the Doha-based telecom firm did not immediately respond to its emailed inquiry. The news agency also said it tried to reach the interested investors, but no immediate comment has been given.

The departure of Telenor earlier this year took place after Reuters last year reported that the PTD has issued a directive, which bans senior foreign executives of major telecommunications firms from leaving Myanmar without permission. After this ban, the junta then released a second order instructing telecoms firms to fully implement an intercept surveillance technology, enabling authorities to monitor various communication channels.

Questions & Answers

Q.

Which other foreign telecoms provider has already left the Myanmar market?

A.

Norwegian carrier Telenor exited Myanmar in March this year. Their departure means Ooredoo is currently the only foreign telecoms service provider operating in the country.

Q.

What kind of pressure has the local industry faced in Myanmar?

A.

The local industry has faced increasing pressure as a result of the military coup launched in February 2021. This pressure led to directives like the ban on foreign executives leaving the country.

Q.

Which companies might be interested in buying Ooredoo's Myanmar unit?

A.

Potentially interested investors include local conglomerate Young Investment Group, Singapore-headquartered Campana Group, and telecoms company SkyNet. No final decision on buyers has been made yet.

Q.

What directive did the PTD issue to telecoms firms after the ban on foreign executives?

A.

After the ban on foreign executives, the junta issued a second order instructing telecoms firms to fully implement intercept surveillance technology. This allows authorities to monitor various communication channels.

Reader pulse

Is Ooredoo's exit from Myanmar:

16,085 votes so far

Weekly Briefing

Asia's retail intelligence, in your inbox

Tuesday, Thursday and a Saturday Weekly Wrap: the retail stories, numbers and moves that mattered across Asia. Nothing else, and you can unsubscribe in one click.

  • Top industry moves and market shifts
  • Weekly data-driven analysis from across Asia
  • Tuesday, Thursday and the Saturday Weekly Wrap

Read by retail operators, investors and brand teams across Asia.

Protected by a quick human check. No spam, ever. Unsubscribe in one click.

SecureGDPR ready