Section 2 | FOUNDATIONAL FACTORS 2.3 The Technology Ecosystem Although rapidly evolving, it is possible to sketch several key elements of Myanmar’s current technology ecosystem to contextualize the gender digital divide: liberalization, the predominance of mobile devices, barriers to innovation, and the digital skills pyramid. With support from the World Bank, the government of Myanmar has committed to liberalization of the telecommunications sector. In 2013 it denationalized the stateowned telecommunications company, MPT, and awarded the first telecom service licenses to foreign companies Ooredoo and Telenor in 2014.103 The rollout obligations of providers have been significant, but with a focus on geographic coverage rather than vulnerable social groups. Unfortunately, the World Bank Checklist for the Planning, Design and Implementation IREX INSIGHT Expanding high speed internet connectivity and ensuring “last mile” coverage through a of an ICT Project Incorporating Gender Issues104 is not reflected in recent Government of Universal Service Fund are key to Myanmar ICT-sector reforms. In addition, despite the geographic focus, coverage is still supporting female-friendly digital uneven across the country because land rights, particularly in conflict-affected areas, make access and skills venues like it difficult to secure permission to build cell towers. schools and libraries. Recognizing the need for affordability and equitable access, in August 2015, the thenMinistry for Communication and Information Technology launched a tender for the design of a universal service strategy. The strategy will include parameters for a Universal Service Fund (USF) that will receive earmarks from telecom service providers for initiatives to narrow the service gap.105 Although USFs around the world have come under scrutiny for lack of transparency and for not disbursing funds entrusted to them, they are a common mechanism to leverage champions within the government and CSO sectors for “last mile,” nonmarket solutions involving the most difficult-to-reach groups of unconnected consumers.106 The “last mile” is on the horizon in Myanmar, where Telenor—with coverage ADB, Developing Myanmar’s Information and Communication Technology Sector. World Bank Group, “Checklist for the Planning, Design and Implementation of an ICT Project Incorporating Gender Issues,” Engendering ICT Toolkit, n.d. Accessed February 14, 2017. 105 Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business, IHRB, and DIHR, Myanmar ICT Sector-Wide Impact Assessment, 92. 106 Stephen L. Magiera, Managing USFs for Telecommunications: An ASEAN Manual for Output-based Aid (Washington, DC: USAID, 2009); GSMA and Ladcomm Corporation, Sub-Saharan Africa—Universal Service Fund Study (London: GSMA, September 2014). 103 104 Ending the Gender Digital Divide in Myanmar: A Problem-Driven Political Economy Assessment | 36