VinaPhone to Invest US$1 Bln in 3G Development

Vinaphone, one of the three largest mobile-phone operators in Vietnam is planning to invest US$1 billion to develop the third-generation (3G) mobile network in the upcoming 15 years.

 

&ldquoThe investment would help our company ensure 3G service quality when it gets the license,&rdquo Vinaphone Director Hoang Trung Hai said, adding that his company has made careful preparations for the service.

 

Though lagging behind regional countries in deploying the third-generation (3G) mobile network, Vietnam has potentials for this technology development, Hai said, noting that 3G service will help ease overloads and problems of 2G service.

 

At present, the Ministry of Information and Communications is preparing to grant licences to four enterprises to offer 3G service by the of this year. However, all seven mobile service providers: MobiFone, Vinaphone, Viettel Mobile, S-Fone, EVN Telecom, HT Mobile and GTel, said they have had technology infrastructure and development strategy ready for 3G service business.

 

If mobile-phone networks get licenses to offer 3G service in 2008, the service will be available in 2009, Hai added. 

 

VinaPhone currently provides coverage in 64 provinces and cities in Vietnam and has links with mobile operators in more than 60 countries and governed territories. Its subscribers hit 12 million.

 

Vietnam now reports around 58 million phone subscribers. (Post)