As subscriber numbers swell and the competitive dynamics between MNOs shift, relationships between MNOs and tower companies in Myanmar are being realigned as we move to a third phase of the rollout. This third phase is again is not characterised by substantial tower sharing; an attempt to co-ordinate phase three on 1,105 mostly shared towers (‘Project Optima’) floundered amid ongoing lease rate disputes, and now 2,900 phase three towers have been separately commissioned by Telenor and Ooredoo to two newly aligned pairs of towercos. With six towercos in the country, consolidation is imminent. Meanwhile, it seems that the ‘Mexican standoff’ on tower power is over, with energy assets sensibly being owned and operated by towercos for both anchor tenants.
The Myanmar tower rollout: FAQs (updated June 2015)
