Telenor Myanmar
Norwegian telecoms firm Telenor has opened its 37th “Light House” in Myingyan in Mandalay region.
With this addition, Light Houses – which provide information services and digital literacy training – are now available in nine states and regions across Myanmar.
Telenor in June last year partnered with Myanmar ICT for Development Organization (MIDO) to establish and run “Light Houses” in Myanmar.
The firms aim to set up 200 light houses by the end of 2018.
The Light Houses are social enterprises that aim to educate rural and urban communities nationwide on the wide range of economically and socially beneficial information found on the internet.
The centres are run by local entrepreneurs, and open to anyone in the local community, from farmers to local entrepreneurs, and from urban dwellers and villagers alike.
“Our Light Houses are sustainable social enterprises that aim to reduce the rural and urban digital divide in Myanmar in both smartphone and computer use. Using Telenor’s technology, expertise, channels and social investment, Light Houses provide an innovative digital literacy curriculum and information programmes, delivered by capable socially-oriented entrepreneurs supported by local marketing campaigns and sustainable income generation opportunities,” said Min Thu, head of corporate responsibility, Telenor Myanmar.
Both Telenor and MIDO have trained the local entrepreneurs in how to operate the centres as social enterprises.
The type of trainings available at Light Houses are mobile-based internet trainings and computer trainings. Under mobile-based internet training, there are lessons such as using mobile phones effectively, how to use mobile internet, how to use Viber, Email and Facebook, how to search information on the internet, and self-learning English courses on the internet. Under computer trainings, basic computer skills, Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint are be taught.
To serve customers that cannot visit Light Houses in person, such as those in villages, Light Houses will soon provide outreach digital literacy training, Telenor said.
From:Myanmar Business Today