Mizzima News

Rumors are doing round in Burma's former capital city of Rangoon that the increased Satellite Television license fees would be drastically drop back from Kyat 10 million (US$800) to Kyat 50,000 (US $ 38).

In early January, Satellite Dish users in Rangoon, who went to pay the annual license fees, complaint when they find out the increased in the fee to Kyat 10 million from 6000 Kyat.

Just as several people in Rangoon as well as other parts of the country are ready to stop using Satellite Dishes due to the sudden hike in the license fee, on January 4, a rumor spread that the fee has dropped back to 50,000 kyat, which is 8 fold increased.

"There are two information spreading now, some said from 6000 Kyat it [the license fee] will increase to 50,000 Kyat. But no body knows the exact information as yet. The telecommunication office said they have not receive any direction on this regard and refuse to accept any license fees," a local resident of Rangoon, who went to the Mayangone telecommunication office to pay the annual fee for Satellite dish.

Another local resident of Rangoon's Bahan Township said, "Today I heard people were saying that the fees will be 50,000."

An official at the Yankin Telecommunication office, when contacted by Mizzima, refuse to answer, stating that there has been no official notification or direction on the matter.

However, a Burmese blog site named 'Dr. Lwun Swe' confirmed the information and said several Rangoon residents have re-install their Satellite Dishes, which they have it down last week.

The information, however, could not be independently confirmed.