The Irrawaddy News Magazine [Covering Burma and Southeast Asia] Thursday, May 29, 2008: “Technical changes have been made to prevent Internet users from using proxy servers to get around government controls, according to an announcement from Myanmar Teleport, one of the country’s two Internet service providers (ISPs).

In a notice to customers that was obtained by The Irrawaddy on Thursday, the company, formerly known as Bagan CyberTech, said that it had upgraded its service to remove the need for proxies.

Burma’s Internet laws are among the world’s most restrictive
(Photo: AFP)
‘As part of this upgrade, the use of web proxies is no longer required,’ said the announcement. ‘Myanmar Teleport would like to cordially request you to reconfigure your web browser settings not to use proxies.’

When contacted, a technician at Myanmar Teleport confirmed that the move was intended to tighten control over access to unauthorized Web sites.

Burma has some of the world’s most restrictive Internet policies, banning blogs and exiled news providers critical of the country’s ruling junta. However, access to prohibited Web sites is often possible through use of proxy servers.

The upgrade was described as a measure to improve service with ‘more reliable and robust equipment.’

Burma has two Internet service providers—Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications and Myanmar Teleport. Myanmar Teleport/BaganNet was formerly owned by Ye Naing Win, the son of the ousted Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt.”