The Myanmar telecommunication authorities will introduce 80,000 more GSM mobile phone lines in the former capital of Yangon this year to enhance telecommunication services, the local weekly Voice reported Sunday.

According to the state-run Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT), the number of GSM mobile phones in the whole of Myanmar hit 392,800 in 2008, up from 211,812 in 2007.

Other phones such as CDMA stood 205,500 in number as of the year, while auto-phones went to 153,344.

GSM phones have been extensively used in Myanmar since it was introduced in 2002 after cellular ones in 1993 and the DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication) and CDMA in 1997.

According to the MPT, GSM phones in Myanmar can auto-roam over two dozen townships far up to the border areas and mainly cover all other major cities in addition to Yangon and Mandalay.

Meanwhile, Myanmar is making efforts to introduce world's up-date audio-visual mobile phone for use in the country for the first time to upgrade its telecommunication links.

The upgraded system will be based on the existing GSM network, the authorities said, adding that the introduction of 3-G WCDMA system represents Myanmar's entry into a new phase of its mobile phone system.

Moreover, Myanmar has planned full coverage of public access centers (PAC) in every township in the country by this year to facilitate communication links.

There has been over 400 PAC opened in 44 townships in Myanmar since 2004.

According to the telecommunications authorities, the number of internet users in Myanmar has reached over 300,000, up from merely dozens in four years ago.