FORTY public access centres will be opened throughout the country next month as part of a campaign to promote the use of the internet and highlight the advantages of information and communications technology.

The internet centres, most of which will be opened in areas where ICT knowledge and infrastructure is yet to be developed, will be operated by local stakeholders in collaboration with the Myanmar Information and Communication Technology Development Corporation under a franchise system, said a director of the corporation, U Aung Zaw Myint.

“The centres will make a great contribution to enabling people to see the benefits of ICT,” U Aung Zaw Myint said.

Of the 40 centres, 12 will be established in five states. They will be at Bhamo and Myitkyina in Kachin State, Myawaddy in Kayin State, Mawlamyine in Mon State, Sittwe, Maungdaw and Ngapali beach in Rakhine State and Taunggyi, Lashio, Muse, Tachilek and Inle Lake in Shan State. Another 28 will be established in Yangon, Mandalay, Bago, Magwe, Ayeyarwaddy and Tanintharyi divisions.

They will include centres at Mingalar Taung Nyunt and Thanlyin townships in Yangon Division and 10 throughout Mandalay Division, including Mandalay, Bagan, Kyaukse, Nyaung-Oo, and Pyin-Oo-Lwin.

U Aung Zaw Myint said the corporation intended to eventually establish about 400 of the centres throughout the country. At least one centre would open in each district and township.

U Aung Zaw Myint said depending on user demand, more centres could be opened.

He said the project would assist in the development of an e-society which brought together e-government, e-commerce, e-education and other e-projects.

Although the centres would be similar to internet cafes, they would provide other services, such as computer skills training, U Aung Zaw Myint said.

There will be three types of centres and the facilities and services they offer will depend on the population and development of the communities where they are established.

Basic level centres will cost between K2.5 million and K5 million and have a computer with internet and email services and a telephone.

The second level centres, which will require an investment of at least K6.5 million, will have more computers, as well as a printer and scanner, and provide internet entertainment and e-learning facilities.

The most advanced centres will have additional multimedia, satellite television and e-learning facilities, including an e-library.

Internet connections will be accessed through either dialup or satellite links provided by Myanma Post and Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs.

The first of the centres opened on a trial basis at Myeik in Tanintharyi Division last October.