Mytel, Myanmar's fourth telecom operator, was established as a joint venture between the Myanmar Army-backed Star High Public Co Ltd, Vietnam's Ministry of Defence-owned Viettel Group, and Myanmar National Telecom Holding Public Ltd, a consortium of 11 local companies. The company was awarded Myanmar’s fourth mobile licence in January 2017 and began offering services in June 2018. Mytel aimed to differentiate itself by focusing on regional areas and provinces outside major cities. The company quickly became a notable player in Myanmar's mobile market, achieving significant market share and high service quality. By 2024, Mytel had over 13 million subscribers and had become the third-largest telecommunications operator in Myanmar, boasting the largest and best 4G coverage in the country, covering nearly 90% of the population.
Country
Myanmar
Type
Mobile Network Operator
MyTel logo

3G Network

Mytel's 3G network was part of its initial rollout strategy when it launched services in 2018. The company aimed to cover 93% of Myanmar's 2G network and 60% of the 4G network after installing towers and stations across the country. Mytel's 3G services were available nationwide, including major cities like Yangon, Mandalay, and Nay Pyi Taw. The network provided a variety of mobile services, including voice, data, and international roaming, catering to both prepaid and postpaid customers.

Date Event Subtype
Launch of 3G Network
Launch

4G Network

Mytel launched its 4G services in June 2018, shortly after beginning operations. The company focused on expanding its network to all 15 states and regions within a month. Mytel's 4G network was designed to cover 90% of Myanmar's population, with a significant investment of nearly $1.5 billion to roll out 7,200 base stations. The operator introduced competitive plans to gain traction in the market, offering data bonuses and top-up incentives. By 2024, Mytel had established itself as the leading provider of 4G services in Myanmar, with extensive coverage and a robust subscriber base.

4G Frequency Bands
Network Frequency Band Max. Channel Bandwidth Status
B1 (2100 MHz)
15
Active
B8 (900 MHz)
15
Active
Date Event Subtype
Launch of 4G Network
Launch

5G Network

Mytel conducted Myanmar's first 5G trials on the 3.5 GHz frequency in August 2019. These trials registered peak download speeds of 1.6 Gb/s, marking a significant step towards a commercial 5G launch. The trials were part of Mytel's strategy to build out the requisite network infrastructure for 5G services. As of 2024, Mytel had not yet launched commercial 5G services but continued to prepare for future deployment. The company leveraged its partnership with Viettel, which had trialled 5G in Vietnam and Cambodia, to enhance its 5G capabilities in Myanmar.

Date Event Subtype