The rush to expand the network means that many companies and their local subcontractors are learning on the job. Some bring with them established governance, health, safety, environment and labour compliance frameworks and monitor them with spot checks, while others do not operate any systematic safety procedures. The human rights impacts observed during the research were in some cases quite visible, particularly in tower construction and laying fiber, including safety violations and in some cases extremely poor working conditions. The short-term employment opportunities for unskilled workers and semi-skilled workers provide much sought after jobs. However, they are often temporary, and sometimes involve harsh working conditions and piecemeal pay. In the longer term, the sector offers many job opportunities, but the skills and capacity needs to be built among the workers required to fill them. The competitive forces driving the market, such as the rush to rollout mobile phone networks, can also counteract the incentives that exist to apply responsible business standards in Myanmar. Research for this SWIA started in July 2014, when the operators were rolling out and launching their new networks under severe time pressure. However, some of the larger operators have their own standards of conduct, which can drive responsible business practice more widely in the sector, if they are willing and able to apply them robustly in such challenging circumstances. Lessons learned from international initiatives that address some key challenges in respecting human rights in the ICT sector can also be useful for Myanmar. This SWIA aims to highlight the risks, and capture some of those demonstration effects and lessons learned across a range of topics relevant to the operation of the sector. Civil Society The research also showed that very few civil society groups, human rights defenders or media organisations had an understanding of the sometimes complicated and technical human rights issues associated with the ICT sector. The SWIA is also intended to raise wider awareness among these groups. Users and Communities The research also revealed a hunger and enthusiasm for mobile phone connectivity and Internet access, with a rapid uptake of social media services in particular. But it also revealed little user awareness of either the risks that the ICT sector can bring to them or the wider opportunities for the country. Digital literacy is extremely low in Myanmar. This is compounded by the novelty of the concept of privacy as understood in international laws and standards. In a country with a limited concept of physical privacy, promoting the concept of digital privacy and data protection among users is critical. As with other SWIAs carried out by MCRB, IHRB and DIHR, observable company engagement and two-way communication with communities and workers was lacking, particularly in association with the network roll-out. This is particularly important in ethnic minority areas, including those affected by conflict, where it is essential to take the time to engage directly with as wide a range of stakeholders as possible. It addition to building a more complete picture of the conflict and inter-communal dynamics, it enables companies to understand what concerns or questions local people may have about the introduction of EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 11 Exec Summ