Narinjara News, July 18, 2025 

The people of Rakhine are happy to see an hourly cost of 2,000 kyats in AA-controlled towns in Arakan (Rakhine) state.

“The reduction in internet prices is good,” said Ko Khaing Aung Kyaw Lin, who lives in Ponna Township. “In other circumstances, it would be impractical to communicate with distant relatives for an hour. We were not able to utilize it since it cost between five and ten thousand kyats every hour. We can now use two hours instead of one hour before, and two thousand kyats per hour is the rate. This will lessen the hardships of the populace, which makes us pleased.”

Yesterday, July 17, the AA announced that internet access would cost 2,000 kyats every hour.

The internet charge used to range from 5,000 to 10,000 kyats per hour in certain townships under the Arakan Army's jurisdiction, and the pricing discrepancies between townships drew public outcry.

"The current price reduction has made it easier for people to communicate. I hope that more opportunities will be provided at some point, since everyone would be blind in this era without the internet," he said.

According to a citizen of Rathedaung, there are not many locations in Rakhine that offer internet access because they are distant and expensive to get to.

"We are having problems because we lack satellite connections that would allow us to access the internet. The income of our relatives living overseas supports us in Rakhine. How can people outside of Arakan state send money to their family members if there is no internet? The increase in commodity prices makes it harder for the populace here to make ends meet," he stated.

The citizens who desired to use the internet traveled far in order to contact their family members who resided elsewhere.

"Sometimes we have to use motorbikes to travel over the mountains in order to access the internet. We may occasionally need to take a boat to a location with internet access in order to use it. With expensive internet rates, there are also challenges in using the internet. He said that in the regions where the AA authority is having problems, it needs to improve satellite connections with cheaper prices for use.

Since November 13, 2023, Arakan has experienced a resurgence of violence. The military council has shut down telephone and internet connections in several villages since the end of the year. Due to the current security situation, the Rakhine army has taken control of phone and internet access.

The protracted limitations on internet and phone connections have had an impact on the economy, health, transportation, and communication of Rakhine residents with their family, friends, and neighbors. There have reportedly been drawbacks in ties with relatives and social issues.