Feature phones remain popular in Myanmar despite the emergence of android-based smartphones, mobile phone traders say.
“This is due to the high price of SIM cards set by the Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT),” said Ko Myat Min Swe, owner of Bogyoke Mobile and Gadget phone shop.
“If the price of the SIM card is reduced, sales of the smartphone handsets would grow rapidly,” he added.
The price of SIM cards is expected to drop by the end of January as MPT is expected to release cheaper SIM cards priced K120,000 ($140).
However, even the reduced price is at least 70 times higher than Myanmar’s neighbouring countries.
The price of GSM SIM cards are now K200,000 ($235).
Currently, the sale of Samsung, Galaxy, Ace and Ace Plus is high in the local smart phone market while the more popular feature phone brands are Nokia, TWZ and Huawei, said a local phone shop owner.
