Myanmar shutdown of wireless internet fuels fears of news blackout

Move aimed at hitting protest movement ignores business pleas

Myanmar protesters worry that a wireless broadband shutdown will lead to an information blackout. © Reuters

GWEN ROBINSON, Nikkei Asia Editor-at-large, and RORY WALLACE, Contributing writer

April 2, 2021 11:44 JST

YANGON -- Myanmar's military regime has ordered internet service providers to shut down wireless broadband services days after business groups collectively requested a halt to internet service disruptions.

In a mobile text to customers, telco operator Ooredoo said the junta-appointed Ministry of Transport and Communications issued a directive today instructing "all wireless broadband data services to be temporarily suspended from today until further notice."