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Hello from the other side
Welcome to "Hello from the Other Side", a powerful online photo gallery that captures the struggle to stay connected amidst the turmoil in Myanmar.
This collection, a collaboration between the Myanmar Internet Project (MIP) and three talented photographers from Karen, Sagaing, and Karenni, brings to life the stories of individuals battling digital repression. Through these images, we hope to shed light on the realities of internet access in conflict zones and the resilience of those fighting to stay online.
The internet is not a given. Let these visuals speak to that truth. These photos can be used under creative commons license CC BY-NC-SA.
A local internet café (Wifi Spot) in Sagaing Region, Upper-Myanmar
Synopsis
When mobile and internet access falter, connection convenience areas become lifelines. These gathering points provide essential access to the internet and electricity, allowing people to stay connected even in challenging conditions.
According to the limited scalability of community internet cafes people need to be gathered around the access point which on the other hand, can be risky for airstrikes. However, despite the risk, this is the best possible solution for the lay people inside the country.
Photo - Nyein Chan May (Aug 2024)
When mobile and internet access falter, connection convenience areas become lifelines. These gathering points provide essential access to the internet and electricity, allowing people to stay connected even in challenging conditions.
According to the limited scalability of community internet cafes people need to be gathered around the access point which on the other hand, can be risky for airstrikes. However, despite the risk, this is the best possible solution for the lay people inside the country.
Photo - Nyein Chan May (Aug 2024)
A farmer in Kawkareik township listening to the radio
Synopsis
A farmer in Kawkareik township, KNU controlled area in Karen State listening to the international news on the radio.
In internet inaccessible areas, FM radio programs became one of the major resistance tactic to tackle the internet inaccessibility and critical information shortage.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
A farmer in Kawkareik township, KNU controlled area in Karen State listening to the international news on the radio.
In internet inaccessible areas, FM radio programs became one of the major resistance tactic to tackle the internet inaccessibility and critical information shortage.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
Women using internet on a mountain peak at night time
Synopsis
Spilled over 2G/3G connection can be detected in some places such as mountain peaks. Locals have to risk getting to the place in order to get connected with their families and colleagues.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
Spilled over 2G/3G connection can be detected in some places such as mountain peaks. Locals have to risk getting to the place in order to get connected with their families and colleagues.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
A phone tied to the tree, where connection can be detected in Karen State.
Synopsis
According to the internet shutdowns, signal detection is very random in conflict areas. Finding a spot with signal coverage is like discovering a place created by divine forces. Reaching these areas and waiting for a phone call becomes an essential, almost sacred task.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
According to the internet shutdowns, signal detection is very random in conflict areas. Finding a spot with signal coverage is like discovering a place created by divine forces. Reaching these areas and waiting for a phone call becomes an essential, almost sacred task.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
A Kayan woman listening to the FM radio
Synopsis
In areas where the internet is often cut off, radio becomes a vital tool for survival. Delivering accurate news is essential for keeping communities informed and safe.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
In areas where the internet is often cut off, radio becomes a vital tool for survival. Delivering accurate news is essential for keeping communities informed and safe.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
A man manually adjusting homemade bamboo tower in Sagaing region
Synopsis
The device at the top of the homemade bamboo tower is a signal booster/range extender used to receive and expand available spill over internet connection.The bamboo stick has to be rotated around to scan the network manually periodically, to get better signal.
Photo - Nyein Chan May (Aug 2024)
The device at the top of the homemade bamboo tower is a signal booster/range extender used to receive and expand available spill over internet connection.The bamboo stick has to be rotated around to scan the network manually periodically, to get better signal.
Photo - Nyein Chan May (Aug 2024)
A man repairing damaged cell tower in Ayardaw, Sagaing Region.
Synopsis
Infrastructure damage is another major factor of internet inaccessibility along with internet shutdowns.
More than 400 cell towers were destroyed in 2021 alone (Reuters, 2021).
Resistance groups are attempting to restore damaged cell towers in blackout areas to re-establish makeshift internet connections. However, a significant obstacle they face is the lack of sufficient technical expertise, which has become a major barrier to their efforts.
Photo - Nyein Chan May (Aug 2024)
Infrastructure damage is another major factor of internet inaccessibility along with internet shutdowns.
More than 400 cell towers were destroyed in 2021 alone (Reuters, 2021).
Resistance groups are attempting to restore damaged cell towers in blackout areas to re-establish makeshift internet connections. However, a significant obstacle they face is the lack of sufficient technical expertise, which has become a major barrier to their efforts.
Photo - Nyein Chan May (Aug 2024)
Novices watching Youtube in KNU controlled Win Yay (Lutshan) township, Karen State.
Synopsis
A group of young novices gather in a spot, where the only detectable internet connection can be found. Huddled together, they watch YouTube videos, drawn to this particular location for its rare access to the outside world.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
A group of young novices gather in a spot, where the only detectable internet connection can be found. Huddled together, they watch YouTube videos, drawn to this particular location for its rare access to the outside world.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
Local youngsters enjoying the satellite internet on a bomb shelter
Synopsis
Local youngsters regularly enjoy the satellite internet on a bomb shelter due to frequent airstrikes by the military.
They targeted an internet café (Wifi spot) in Sagaing Region in May, 2024.
After the bombing, many internet cafes in Sagaing Region have built bomb-shelters to ensure safety of their internet users.
Photo - Nyein Chan May (Aug 2024)
Local youngsters regularly enjoy the satellite internet on a bomb shelter due to frequent airstrikes by the military.
They targeted an internet café (Wifi spot) in Sagaing Region in May, 2024.
After the bombing, many internet cafes in Sagaing Region have built bomb-shelters to ensure safety of their internet users.
Photo - Nyein Chan May (Aug 2024)
Two women using Starlink Internet at an Internet café in Demoso Township.
Synopsis
Civilians caught in conflict are increasingly isolated, due to internet shutdowns imposed by the military as well as the infrastructure damage.
Starlink internet cafes have emerged as vital public spaces in Myanmar, providing much-needed connectivity. However, the potential regulatory threats of Starlink being cut off, along with logistical challenges and its association with criminalized online gambling operations, put those who rely on it for access to the internet for critical information in difficult positions, leaving them vulnerable and facing significant obstacles.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
Civilians caught in conflict are increasingly isolated, due to internet shutdowns imposed by the military as well as the infrastructure damage.
Starlink internet cafes have emerged as vital public spaces in Myanmar, providing much-needed connectivity. However, the potential regulatory threats of Starlink being cut off, along with logistical challenges and its association with criminalized online gambling operations, put those who rely on it for access to the internet for critical information in difficult positions, leaving them vulnerable and facing significant obstacles.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
A Starlink shop in Demoso, Karenni State.
Synopsis
A Starlink internet shop In Demoso township, offering 1,000 kyat for 2 hours or 3,000 kyat for unlimited internet access. Locals can also enjoy movies at a mini-cinema.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
A Starlink internet shop In Demoso township, offering 1,000 kyat for 2 hours or 3,000 kyat for unlimited internet access. Locals can also enjoy movies at a mini-cinema.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
A Starlink and Kpay (Mobile Money) Agent shop in Karenni
Synopsis
A store offering Starlink internet and Kpay money withdrawals and transfers service.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
A store offering Starlink internet and Kpay money withdrawals and transfers service.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
A radio receiving Federal FM radio program
Synopsis
A radio playing Federal FM radio program, which is broadcasting for Karenni People who are not accessible to Information through 90.2 MHz.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
A radio playing Federal FM radio program, which is broadcasting for Karenni People who are not accessible to Information through 90.2 MHz.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
A man in an IDP camp is listening to the radio
Synopsis
A man in an IDP camp is listening to the radio while working in Shan-Kayah (Karenni) border area.
While conventional internet is not available, FM radios became one of the main sources of information, particularly for civilians.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
A man in an IDP camp is listening to the radio while working in Shan-Kayah (Karenni) border area.
While conventional internet is not available, FM radios became one of the main sources of information, particularly for civilians.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
A man in an IDP camp listening to the radio
Synopsis
A man in an IDP camp is listening to the radio while enjoying the Kayah Khaung Yay (the traditional alcoholic beverage).
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
A man in an IDP camp is listening to the radio while enjoying the Kayah Khaung Yay (the traditional alcoholic beverage).
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
FM radio antenna Karenni State
Synopsis
1 KW Radio Antenna at Federal FM radio station which covers about 60 km around Karenni State.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
1 KW Radio Antenna at Federal FM radio station which covers about 60 km around Karenni State.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
A woman using Starlink internet in the dark in Demoso Township
Synopsis
A woman in Demoso township using Starlink internet to make a video call to her family.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
A woman in Demoso township using Starlink internet to make a video call to her family.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
A lady in IDP camp listening to the radio
Synopsis
A local lady from IDPs camp in the west of Demoso township is listening to the Radio.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
A local lady from IDPs camp in the west of Demoso township is listening to the Radio.
Photo - Thomas Linn (Aug 2024)
Wifi repeaters on bamboo poles in Sagaing Township
Synopsis
Bamboo towers hold a signal booster (repeater) and a waterproof bag. The booster catches 4G from nearby non-blackout zones. A phone in the bag shares this 4G via mobile hotspot, allowing people on the ground to use the internet via Wi-Fi.
Photo - Nyein Chan May (Aug 2024)
Bamboo towers hold a signal booster (repeater) and a waterproof bag. The booster catches 4G from nearby non-blackout zones. A phone in the bag shares this 4G via mobile hotspot, allowing people on the ground to use the internet via Wi-Fi.
Photo - Nyein Chan May (Aug 2024)
A man disappointed in his broken radio in Karen State
Synopsis
A villager in a village located in Karen National Union (KNU) controlled territory, Brigade (6), Kawkareik Township, is frustrated. His radio is unable to pick up the programs he usually listens to, and the current situation makes it difficult to buy a new one or have it repaired.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
A villager in a village located in Karen National Union (KNU) controlled territory, Brigade (6), Kawkareik Township, is frustrated. His radio is unable to pick up the programs he usually listens to, and the current situation makes it difficult to buy a new one or have it repaired.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
A man tuning the radio in Karen State
Synopsis
A resident of a village in the Karen National Union (KNU) controlled area, Brigade 6, Kawkareik Township, is tuning to detect programmings broadcast by foreign organizations from their home.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
A resident of a village in the Karen National Union (KNU) controlled area, Brigade 6, Kawkareik Township, is tuning to detect programmings broadcast by foreign organizations from their home.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
A man reading the news at a library in Karen state
Synopsis
A local resident is looking at the news on the internet at a library using Starlink internet in the area controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU), 6th Brigade, Kawkareik Township.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
A local resident is looking at the news on the internet at a library using Starlink internet in the area controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU), 6th Brigade, Kawkareik Township.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
Youngsters using Starlink internet in Karen State
Synopsis
Youngsters using internet at a spot where Starlink is available in area controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU), 6th Brigade, Kawkareik Township.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
Youngsters using internet at a spot where Starlink is available in area controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU), 6th Brigade, Kawkareik Township.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
A family using internet to connect with their relatives
Synopsis
In a Karen National Union (KNU)-controlled area, Brigade 6, Kawkareik Township, Karen State, a group of women are communicating with relatives abroad via the internet at a Starlink internet shop.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
In a Karen National Union (KNU)-controlled area, Brigade 6, Kawkareik Township, Karen State, a group of women are communicating with relatives abroad via the internet at a Starlink internet shop.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
DVB broadcasting at a local eatery shop in Karen
Synopsis
In a village eatery shop within the area controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU), Brigade 6, Kawkareik Township, a DVB program is being played for customers to watch for free.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
In a village eatery shop within the area controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU), Brigade 6, Kawkareik Township, a DVB program is being played for customers to watch for free.
Photo - Sit Htet Aung (Aug 2024)
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