Qualitative research suggests that
many of the respondents were
dissatisfied with MPT Free Basics
service due to the inability to view
photos and videos for free. Sentiment surrounding the Telenor plan
was more positive.
Moreover, the respondents’ choice
to stay within Facebook instead of
moving out of it also depended on
the type of data they obtained. With
Telenor’s plan (no longer available)
where users were given 150MB a
day of free access to a full version of
Facebook with images and videos,
users then tended to concentrate
use on Facebook and not move
outside it.
74 ICTs in Myanmar: 2016
However, since MPT Free basics offered a text only, limited version of
Facebook, those on this plan were
more likely to realize that they were
getting a limited version of Facebook. It’s... ok as for me. But I can’t
see any photos. If I want to look at
photos I switch to normal mode. I
usually view photos after checking
whether or not I know who posted
it. If [an external link] seems interesting to me or the post was shared
by my friends, I continue to click
and see them although I know it will
cut my bill.” Aye Aye, F, 24, Myanmar
(R10)
The qualitative insights are based
primarily on a report prepared by
Peter Cihon, and Helani Galpaya
of LIRNEasia based on findings
from a Mozilla funded study on
free and subsidized data packages
in Myanmar.