Myanmar government forces telecom companies to stop using wireless internet

Myanmar’s military government has forced telecom companies to stop providing wireless internet connections. Reuters writes that on the basis of sources within the telecom industry.

Reuters says it has seen emails from an employee of an unnamed telecom company, in which the employees are ordered to stop wireless internet connections in Myanmar. This would be ordered by the military government of the country. The blockade would be in effect until further notice.

Mobile wireless internet has been blocked in Myanmar for some time. It is not clear why other wireless internet connections will also be banned from Thursday. Myanmar’s military has always played a major role in the country’s government, but took full power in a coup last February. Since then, there have been many protests in the country from people who oppose the coup. Internet connections are likely to be shut down to prevent protests. Previously, the government blocked social media and Wikipedia.