Myanmar 5G Forum 2018

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[Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, December 20, 2018] Today, the Myanmar 5G Forum 2018 entitled “5G Bridges Myanmar to Future Digital World,” was hosted by the Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications Department in cooperation with Huawei at the Hilton Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. During the forum attended by government regulators, Information and communication technology (ICT) industry experts and organizations. 5G and its developments and potential impact on Myanmar while showcasing the technology’s applications were introduced.

The honorable guests from Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, international organizations, together with the officials from Huawei at Myanmar 5G Forum 2018, held in Nay Pyi Taw on 19th December 2018

Present at the ceremony were H.E. U Chit Wai, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, Dr. Ismail. Shah, Head of Area Office ASEAN, ITU, Mr. Zhou Jianjun, Vice President of Huawei Global Carrier Business Group, and His Highness U Soe Thein, Director General of Posts and Telecommunications Department and other honorable guests from Ministry, international organizations, business partners and media.

Opening with a speech by H.E. U Chit Wai, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Communications, the objectives of this event include discussing the future of the 4G/5G market in Myanmar, the revised spectrum roadmap 2019 and Myanmar National Broadband White Paper 2019 for a successful migration towards 5G technology from 4G, encouraging the growth of a digital Myanmar and to lay the groundwork required to cultivate Myanmar’s 5G ecosystem including spectrum, infrastructure, device, fiber, as well as supportive policy to inspire broadband to citizens, householders and to industry verticals. APT700MHz, TDD 2.6GHz, 2.3GHz and C band 3.5GHz are planned as the prime frequency bandsof 4G and 5G oriented spectrum in the coming two years. The sessions will also discuss the potential use of 5G not only Mobile Broadband, but also Fixed Wireless Access and Internet of Things in response to the digital economic transformation needs of Myanmar and its significance to operations in the country.

H.E U Chit Wai, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Communications, giving welcome speech at Myanmar 5G Forum 2018, held in Nay Pyi Taw on 19th December 2018

5G technology will be the natural progression of 4G, which will bring benefits such as high data rates, ultra reliable and low latency, higher system capacity, and massive machine type connectivity that will propel the growth of national ICT in Myanmar even further. Regardless of network speed, user experience, and network security, Myanmar needs to build on the advancements made possible by 4G, which is paving the way to even bigger future milestones heralded by the advent of 5G.

The technology will also be instrumental in achieving the government’s vision of turning Myanmar into a mobile-first, digitally connected nation. This vison is based on three connected themes or imperatives: 1. connecting the people of Myanmar through a series of initiatives and policy measures to be implemented over the next five years whilst creating a national broadband infrastructure asset; 2. possessing infrastructure that will connect most citizens to high-speed internet services and assisting economic advancement through innovation and digital transformation in many industries and; 3. leveraging digital technology and high-speed connectivity to support e-Government services, to make public services and information more easily accessible and increase the efficiency with which the Union Government and State Governments work together.

Huawei’s booth displaying 5G use cases for attendees at the Myanmar 5G Forum 2018, held in Nay Pyi Taw on 19th December 2018

As the closing remark, U Myo Swe, Deputy Director General of Posts and Telecommunications Department also pressed their objectives for coming year at the event – “Firstly PTD will review and release our revised spectrum roadmap in the first quarter of 2019. We would like to consider seriously everyone’s suggestions and opinions today. Secondly we will also release Myanmar National Broadband Whitepaper 2019, with the support of industry partners. I am sure 4G plus 5G based Fixed Wireless Access synergy with fixed broadband, will play very important role to boost our national broadband development.”

Deploying 5G technology still presents challenges as technology firms and countries worldwide prepare to implement this new generation of telecommunication networks. However in time, these will be addressed as development accelerates starting in more advanced markets before being deployed throughout the rest of the world. This next generation of wireless technology is expected to impact the everyday lives for communities and businesses with advancements such as 100Mbps high speed internet, Fixed Wireless Access, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR),  Internet of Things (IoT), smart cities and other solutions made viable.

Mr. Zhou Jianjun, Vice President of Huawei Global Carrier Business Group said “Huawei is privileged to collaborate with the Ministry of Transport and Communications for the Myanmar 5G Forum 2018, through which we hope to highlight the important role 5G holds and why a smart and strategic deployment of 4G is inspiring global ICT development direction, and 5G will arise as the foundation for future digital society and digital economy. From 4G migrating to 5G, the demand must be real, especially in emerging market, such as “Air Fiber” WTTx, Cloud plus 5G plus Smart Device based Cloud X. From this forum, we want to inspire constructive discussions on four key pillars to 5G readiness including supportive policy, adequate spectrum, more site recourses and fiber related concernes. It can inform Myanmar’s 5G outlook with senior level representatives from policy-making institutions, regulators, telecom industry, and academia.”

At the Myanmar 5G Forum, speakers from market-leading data, research and consulting experts from top firms including like ITU, GSA, Huawei, Ovum, Telco-economics, and Quectel  covered sessions focusing on helping digital service providers and their technology partners thrive in the connected digital economy.

To find out more about 5G and its applications, please visit https://www.huawei.com/en/industry-insights/outlook/mobile-broadband/5g.