For example, getting a GSM SIM card for your mobile phone. What can be easier and cheaper?
But not in Myanmar.
First of all, there is only one mobile operator for now which is obviously a monopolist. The only official way to get a SIM card is to win a lucky draw. Yes, yes, a SIM card lottery. And only locals can participate. The government arranges a lottery once in a while when they give away SIM card. Usually they give only a limited number of SIM cards per township (disctrict) which obviously creates a huge demand.
The lucky person can get it for 1 500 kyat (which is 1,5 USD). Which is a ridiculous amount comparing to the market price... So those who get that SIM card prefer to sell it out to a re-seller who will afterwards sell it for 150 USD... I don't know how much exactly the person earns, probably not much but the middle man (re-seller) earns a lot...
It is possible to get a cheaper card, but it won't be a GSM standard, It will be CDMA or WCDMA (yeah, like in early 90th..)
Well, 150 USD is still OK price considering the fact that just 3 month ago it was 250 USD, and 2 years back it was 2 000 USD...
Luckily the 2 big telecom providers just got there licences to operate on the market. All hope is for them that they will improve the crazy situation. But they say it will take at least 6-8 month to go through the whole administrative process and arrangement of the services.
Today I feel lucky anyway: no i didn't win any lottery (coz I'm not allowed to participate as a foreigner), but I finally got my SIM card. After 1 month being here disconnected. And yes, I paid 150 USD. It's nice to be in touch with people again.
But at the same time it was the most painful purchase I've done so far in my life...
More shocking things to come :)
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