62 Telecom Landscape lay) bought a SIM card for MMK 200,000 ($200) and a second hand handset from his friend. According to him its good to have a phone as he can call the suppliers anytime if he needs something. “Having a phone is better than not having a phone. I can call shopkeepers if need anything.” Smith (motorbike driver, Mandalay) bought a handset along with a SIM card for MMK 500,000 ($500) from the market. The phone proved useful for his work as he was able to communicate with his customers at all hours and drum up more business. It also curbed his endless drives for customers as he now travelled to specific pick/ drop points after telephonic conversations.“If customers call me, I need to go there only so can make money.” Some of the respondents who won SIM cards in the lucky draw either sold their SIM cards or handed it over to a sibling. For example, Thein (broom maker, Naypidaw) sold the three SIM cards he won for MMK 68,000 ($68) each. Thiri (the potter, Naypidaw) won a SIM card in the lucky draw but gave it to her sister. Smith’s phone Htay’s (Electrician, Mandalay) teacher bought him the phone and everyday he had been paying him MMK 2000 ($2). He needed the phone to be in touch with the contractors to get work. Hlaing (the paper umbrella maker, Naypidaw) got a SIM card through his brother who works at the government office for MMK 50,000 ($50) two years back. According to most of the MEs interviewed having phone was very useful for their business as they could get in touch with their suppliers, family and friends easily though some of the MEs felt that it would put an additional financial burden on them. According to Thaung (painter, Mawlamying), getting a SIM in lucky draw would not solve any purpose as he still needed to buy a handset. Similarly, Naing (journal seller, Mawlamyine) got SIM under lucky draw one month ago only and had already started feeling it as an extra financial burden on him. “Positively, we can use it for emergency cases. Negatively, the expense has increased. “ Htay’s phone