S-Fone, the fourth largest mobile phone network in Vietnam, July 1 announced it attracted 5 million subscribers after five-year operation in the Vietnamese market.
A source from the company said S-Fone attracted an additional 1.5 million subscribers in the first half of this year, representing a growth rate of 42.9 per cent against late last year.
To teach the goal of six million subscribers by the of 2008, S-Fone will pour US$100 million to increase coverage and launched new Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology-based valued added services.
It is also preparing to install 700 Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) to expand coverage to all districts nationwide.
Meanwhile, the firm is upgrading the Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO) in 5 existing provinces and cities and expanding EVDO services, especially Mobile Internet, to Nha Trang, Vung Tau and Phan Thiet, serve tourists.
All S-Fone&rsquos postpaid subscribers activated before July 1, 2007 will enjoy a promotional program from July 1 to late September 30 this year, the New Hanoi newspaper reported July 1.
The postpaid subscribers who have used S-Fone&rsquos services for over 3 years and 1-3 years will be offered VND50,000 and VND30,000 of call and service ge per month in 3 consecutive months, respectively.
S-Telecom is a joint venture between Saigon Postel of Vietnam and SLD Telecom of Singapore.
There are seven mobile networks in Vietnam namely VinaPhone, MobiFone and Viettel S-Fone, EVN Telecom, HT Mobile and GTel, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications.
The ministry said Vietnam&rsquos four largest mobile networks of VinaPhone, MobiFone, Viettel and S-Fone has attracted more than US$48 million. Of the figure, over 90 per cent are pre-paid subscribers. (New Hanoi)
Vietnamese
