Myanmar’s iPhone 5 owners become ‘innovative’

Published on Saturday, 06 October 2012 12:30

Owners of iPhone 5 in Myanmar have become innovative, cutting their SIM cards to nano size to fit their phones.

The new iPhone model uses an even smaller Nano SIM card, which is still not available in the country.

Mobile shops and their customers said they faced no difficulties after cutting the SIM cards.

Mobile shop owner Min Thant said his shop can cut for free SIM cards of customers who bought the iPhone 5 handset from them while others are charged 5,000 kyats (US$5.70).

He added that they can also cut old SIM cards but will not take responsibility for problems encountered afterwards.

On the other hand, Myo Thu from the Aikon mobile service training school said they provide guarantee for cutting SIM cards.

An iPhone 5 cost from 900,000 kyats (US$ 1,071) to 1.5 million kyats ($ 1,786) in Myanmar.

Apple does not have an official franchise in the country but its products are locally available through imports from other countries.

Myanmar's phone and Internet usage is lower compared to neighbouring countries. Only six in 100 own mobile phones.