Telenor Myanmar's Exit from Myanmar Explained

Telenor Myanmar's exit from the country was a significant event that had far-reaching consequences.

Telenor Myanmar was sold to M1 Group in 2022, marking the end of the Norwegian company's 15-year presence in the country.

The sale was a result of a tumultuous period for the company, following a military coup in 2021 that led to increased scrutiny and pressure from international investors.

Telenor Myanmar's exit was a strategic move to minimize risks and maximize returns, given the uncertain business environment in Myanmar at the time.

Discover more: Telenor Denmark

Telenor Myanmar's journey began in February 2013 when it participated in the bidding for newly available Myanmar mobile licenses.

Telenor was awarded one of two 15-year contracts for telecom development in Myanmar on June 27, 2013.

Telenor received its license from the Government of Myanmar on February 5, 2014, and its mobile network was trialed on April 7, 2014.

Mobile services began operations in Mandalay on September 27, 2014, and the network launched in Naypyidaw on October 4, 2014.

For your interest: Telenor India

Telenor's network achieved full coverage of Myanmar on October 26, 2014, using 2G and 3G GSM technology.

Telenor Myanmar's network is LTE ready and plans to cover 90% of the Myanmar population within 5 years of operations.

Telenor Myanmar helped the Burmese Wikipedia community hold their first joint workshop in June 2014, which attracted over 2,000 people.

The workshop was held at Dagon University with the help of Telenor Myanmar in July 2014.

However, Telenor faced increasing pressure from the State Administration Council in 2021 to activate intercept equipment to surveil and monitor its 18 million customers.

Telenor was forced to write off its US$780 million investment in Myanmar in May 2021 due to the pressure.

The company announced it would sell Telenor Myanmar for US$105 million to M1 Group in July 2021.

The sale was approved by the Myanmar Investment Commission on March 18, 2022, and ownership was transferred on March 25, 2022.

Telenor Myanmar was rebranded to ATOM on June 8, 2022, after the sale to M1 Group and Shwe Byain Phyu Group.

A fresh viewpoint: Telenor Cinclus

Here is a brief timeline of Telenor Myanmar's company history:

Telenor Myanmar has faced significant challenges and controversies in its operations. The company has complied with at least 200 requests from the junta-controlled Ministry of Transport and Communications over the past 12 months for information, including records of calls and call locations.

Forced shutdowns have also been a major issue, with the company ordered to shut off service to several townships in Rakhine State and Chin State in February 2020. This is not the first time such requests have been made, as Telenor Myanmar was also ordered to shut off service to Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, and Myebon in September 2019.

Forced shutdowns have been a reality in Myanmar, with the junta-controlled Ministry of Transport and Communications making at least 200 requests to Telenor over the past 12 months for information.

The requests included records of calls, call locations, and the last known location of a number, which Telenor complied with. The company also shut down specified mobile numbers as instructed.

Telenor Myanmar was ordered to shut off service to several areas, including Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, and Myebon, for several months until September 2019. In February 2020, the Ministry ordered Telenor to shut off service to five townships in Rakhine State and Chin State.

Similar requests for information and forced shutdowns have been made to all other mobile operators and internet service providers in Myanmar, but none of the other companies have publicly admitted to this.

In Myanmar, ATOM has struggled with bad coverage for users living on the ground floors of many apartment buildings. This issue has been present since the early days of ATOM, when it was still called Telenor.

Many users have reported not receiving OTP codes via SMS, which can be frustrating and inconvenient. This problem has been ongoing for a while and has affected a significant number of users.

Here are some of the types of companies that have been affected by this issue:

The impact of this problem is not limited to ATOM alone, as it affects the broader telecommunications industry in Myanmar.

Telenor Group has gained final regulatory approval to sell its unit in Myanmar to Lebanese investment company M1 Group.

The sale is a result of increasing human rights concerns after a military coup in the country last year, which made it difficult for Telenor to operate in accordance with its values.

Telenor has ensured that both M1 and its local partner, Shwe Byain Phyu, are not subject to international sanctions through due diligence.

The new owners, M1 and Shwe Byain Phyu, will have a transition service agreement with Telenor for six months after the sale is finalized.

Telenor Group president and CEO Sigve Brekke stated that the security situation in Myanmar is extreme and deteriorating, making it necessary for the company to exit the market to keep its employees safe.

A complaint against a company can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, especially if it's related to an exit plan. This is why it's essential to have a clear understanding of your rights and options.

A complaint against a company can be filed with the relevant authorities, such as the Department of Labor or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

If you're unhappy with your company's exit plan, you have the right to request a meeting with HR or your supervisor to discuss your concerns.

A complaint against a company can also be filed with the Better Business Bureau or the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Exercising your right to file a complaint can be a powerful way to bring about change and protect others from similar situations.

Telenor Group has officially finalised its exit from Myanmar after selling its unit to Lebanese investment company M1 Group.

The sale was made possible after Myanmar authorities granted final regulatory approval, a condition that was set after a military coup in the country last year.

Telenor had to leave Myanmar due to increasing human rights concerns and conflicting local laws with European laws.

The security situation in Myanmar is extreme and deteriorating, making it essential for Telenor to ensure its exit doesn't increase the safety risk for its employees.

Telenor's local partner in the ownership of Telenor Myanmar is Shwe Byain Phyu, who has acquired 49% of Investcom, a Singapore-based company set up by M1 Group for the purchase.

M1 Group will sell an additional 31% of Investcom shares to Shwe Byain Phyu after the acquisition.

Telenor has carried out due diligence to ensure both M1 and its local partner are not subject to international sanctions.

The Telenor Myanmar brand will be used by the new owners for four months and have a transition service agreement with Telenor for six months.

Telenor Group president and CEO Sigve Brekke said the company has to leave Myanmar to adhere to its own values on human rights and responsible business.

Telenor's exit from Myanmar is a significant move, highlighting the importance of prioritizing human rights and responsible business practices in international operations.

Here's an interesting read: Wireless Local Loop