This general increase can be due to many
reasons, particularly due to increased
affordability. The introduction of
installment plans and cheap bundles
brought smartphones within the reach
of many who would otherwise not be able
to afford them. A want to keep up with
the latest trends may also be a
contributing factor. 5
“I want the latest model to feel modern”
FGD Yangon, female non-owner, 18-29, non-working, SEC C/D
Source: GSMA and LIRNEasia (2015)
3.3 Operator market shares
Supply side numbers suggest that MPT
was the market leader as at mid-2016, at
the time of the survey. Telenor’s market share was double that of Ooredoo’s
despite commencing operations within
a month of each other. The demand side
numbers from the survey roughly correspond to these numbers. The primary SIM
for 49% of respondents was MPT, higher
than the proportion suggested by the
supply side numbers. 15% of those with
a primary SIM from MPT had a secondary
SIM from Telenor, and vice versa. (Table 7)
Market share (%)
Operator
Supply side:
(Mobile SIMs sold)
Demand side (Primary SIM for
mobile owners)
MPT
41
49
Telenor
34
34
Ooredoo
17
12
8
5
MECtel
Sources: Supply side-Operator websites, press releases, Härkki (2017),
demand side: LIRNEasia 2016 survey
Table 7: Market share of mobile operators: Supply side
5 Note: Zainudeen & Galpaya, 2015
ICTs in Myanmar: 2016 57