MPT and Mytel Phone Lines Disrupted in Some Rakhine State Townships Due to Fuel Shortages Impacting Cell Towers

Due to fuel shortages, residents have reported disruptions in MPT and Mytel phone lines in certain townships in Rakhine State, as the cell towers cannot be fueled.

In Kyauktaw Township, MPT and Mytel phone lines were previously accessible throughout the town, providing convenient communication and internet access. However, a resident mentioned that phone line outages have been experienced since a week after the onset of the conflict.

"The MPT and Mytel phone networks are currently experiencing a lack of signal, with no signals displayed. Previously, these services were accessible anywhere, but now the MPT line is completely inaccessible, and Mytel reception requires proximity to creeks and fields. Initially, it was believed that the phone lines were severed, but the actual issue is the lack of fuel in the cell towers due to road closures preventing fuel delivery," explained the resident.

Likewise, during the initial week of December, the MPT cell tower in Ta Man Thar village, Maungdaw Township, was refueled. However, within four or five days of refueling, the phone lines in the vicinity were severed, and certain areas began to witness a gradual disruption in connectivity, as reported by a resident.

"The phone lines have been disconnected for an extended period, and there has been a delay in refueling the MPT cell tower. In Ta Man Thar village, the connection was severed just four or five days after refilling the MPT cell tower. It seems that the fuel provided was not fully utilized. The fuel prices are also high," expressed the resident.

A Mrauk-U resident remarked, "Calling has become unreliable. There are occasions when the line connects, but there are also instances when it doesn't. Even during a successful connection, the phone line is intermittent, making conversations inconvenient."

Due to the ongoing conflict, employees are unable to reach and refuel the cell towers. Consequently, a majority of the cell towers are non-operational, resulting in widespread phone line outages.