Uber and telecommunications operator Ooredoo Myanmar Limited (OML) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) this Tuesday, announcing the start of a lasting strategic partnership, making mobility and connectivity accessible to more people in Yangon.

“Uber’s story in Myanmar has been one of collaboration: with the Yangon government when we entered, and now with Ooredoo Myanmar as we grow. Together, we aim to change the way the city moves and communicates. We see this partnership between Uber and Ooredoo as a big step in Myanmar’s digital revolution.” said Charity Safford, Uber’s General Manager for Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.

Myanmar is one of Uber’s fastest growing Asian markets. This partnership shows the company’s deepening commitment to serving riders, drivers and cities in the country, and the region more broadly, through a truly local lens and with a local telecom leader.

Ooredoo Myanmar announced the release of a specially crafted package for Uber driver-partners, helping them cut their daily operational costs while using their phones. Among other benefits, Ooredoo Myanmar will let Uber driver-partners browse the Uber app for free and enjoy advantageous rates on data, SMS and voice calls.

Ooredoo ‘s special package will support Uber to be the first ride-hailing company in Myanmar, as Uber driver-partners will secure better margins and enhance their livelihood thanks to the zero rating on the Uber app.

“This feature is very important to us as we know how much data costs can affect a livelihood, especially when they are tied to an income.” said Ei Phyu Lwin, Uber’s General Manager in Myanmar.

The two leading tech firms also agreed on a framework to make transportation more accessible to riders around town, bringing their resources together to reach citizens not yet familiar with Uber’s services.

This strategic partnership marks a new step in Myanmar’s sharp digital transformation, initiated four years ago by the arrival of telecommunication companies like Ooredoo Myanmar. The two leading tech firms agreed to collaborate and increase telecom and technological efficiencies across their services.

“Ooredoo is committed to support Myanmar to be a digital-first nation. We are passionate about technology’s ability to improve the lifestyle of the communities we operate with. We hope that this strategic partnership will bring tangible and actionable solutions to people’s daily lives and fuel further Myanmar’s race to digitalisation.” Said Vikram Sinha, CEO of Ooredoo Myanmar (OML).