From a poor and backward establishment, after 20 years of renovation, VNPT has developed a post and telecommunication network equivalent to those of the region with 13.3 million of telephone subscribers.
The path of 20 -year development of VNPT can be divided into four phases: Start- off (1986-1990), Acceleration I (1991-1995), Acceleration II (1996-2000), Integration-Sustainable Development (2001-2005).
The most important success in the Start-off phase was the signing of business cooperation contract (BCC) between VNPT and Telstra for 1988-1998 with an investment of US$237 million by Telstra for the development of international telecommunication to attain foreign currency to invest in the key network and later expand to all parts of Vietnam. The BCC helped modernize the network and in late 1990 established three Intelsat satellite stations in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, the first E-10B electronic switchboard in Hanoi, the 30-channel micro-wave AWA replacing the North-South transmission line. For the first time, services were open for international automatic calls (IDD) and fascimile with ever-increasing postal and telecommunication business.
In Phase Acceleration I, VNPT implemented the modernization of international and domestic networks ensuring the communication to rural, mountainous regions and offshore islands and the production of related equipment. This phase was implemented successfully. All 53 cities and provi8nces are connected with digital network with 1.06 telephone set for every 100 people. 2,600 international channels to 24 countries and from there to over 200 countries and territories in the world. The total turnover of this phase was nearly VND14,000 billion, with VND3,000 billion in profit and VND2,000 billion for budget revenue.
In Phase Acceleration II, VNPT developed in scale and depth, extending services to distant and remote regions, reducing service charges, increasing telephone usage to 4.16 sets per 100 persons, to 85 per cent of communes, and 100 per cent of communes in 35 provinces and cities, with 5,535 international channels, North-South highway and optical cable to Singapore. The turnover of this phase increased to VND136,000 billion with VND24,000 for budget revenue.
In Phase 2001-2005, VNPT proceeded the acceleration with economic integration. As a result, in 2005, it hit the highest growth rate in the world. The Internet growth ranked third in the world and exceeding the first two countries in usage per 100 persons. The usage exceeded the average in the region and almost equivalent to 13.1 of the world (Vietnam at 12.8).
2005 was marked by 100 per cent communes with telephone service; internet and mobile phone developing at growth rates of 50-60 per cent, 90.9 per cent communes receiving daily newspapers and 2,400 out of 7,500 commune post offices with Internet service.
Nevertheless, in 20 years of development, VNPT has also certain shortfalls and weaknesses in the management. VNPT must overcome them to become a stronger economic group.
With the momentum of year-on-year growth, in the past 20 years VNPT has recorded a turnover of VND207,805 billion, contributing to the budget revenue of VND35,430 billion, and VND46,000 billion worth of State capital accumulation. With those achievements, VNPT has been bestowed with highest awards: Gold Star Order, Ho Chi Minh Order and Independence Order.
P.V
Vietnamese
