Computer users fill an internet café on 30th Street in Mandalay.

THE number of internet users in Mandalay has increased by a factor of four in the past three years, according to IT industry experts in the city.

“More and more people are using the internet, at government offices and in private organisations,” said a representative of Mandalay’s Yadanabon Cyber Corporation. “One reason is that computer training classes are now including internet usage in their programs.”

He said that in the past, most internet users were young, but now people of all ages are logging on.

“Football fans visit websites for information on players and matches, medical professionals check healthcare sites, businesspeople check the prices of commodities in the market, academics search for information for research papers and people with relatives overseas send emails,” he said.

Ko Phyo Wai Aung of Japan Cyber Café said some people also download free software from the internet.

With the number of internet cafés in Mandalay having risen from three in 2003 to the current 10, the business is getting more competitive as well.

“We serve free coffee to our customers and are only charging K500 an hour for the entire month to commemorate our opening,” said Ma Mya Thida Aye of Xeon internet café.

Ko Yan Lin Aung, manager of Evolution internet café, said he uses seven to eight gallons of diesel a day to keep his business running but is not concerned about profits at the moment.

“We’re looking at the long-term benefits of running the café,” he said.