Top Ten ICT Events in Vietnam in 2006

 

Ratifying Law on Information Technology
The Vietnamese National Assembly ratified the Law on Information Technology on June 22, 2006. This law together with the E-Transaction Law and instructive decrees (on electronic signature and e-authentication, on IT applications in State-funded organs, on IT industry and on administrative punishments in IT field) and IT development programmes (for electronic industry, software industry and digital content industry) has created a synchronous legal corridor to the development of the Vietnamese ICT industry.

Reaching the record of 10 million new telephone subscribers a year
The fast growth of telecom service providers like VNPT, Viettel and SPT and the market penetration of two CDMA mobile networks of EVN Telecom (096) and Hanoi Telecom (096) have raised the tele-density to 30.5 phones/100 inhabitants, an increase of 188 per cent against 2005. Thus, as of late 2006, Vietnam has a total of 25.5 million telephone subscribers.

Affirming the role of IT
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung directly leads the National Committee for IT and he is the first prime minister to hold such a position. On November 19, 2006, the Hanoi Declaration of the APEC Vietnam 2006 also affirmed the importance of IT to the regional development. In 2006, the first ASEM ICT Ministerial Meeting was opened in Hanoi following the initiative of Vietnam. The above events proved that the Vietnamese IT industry has groundwork and advantage for further development in the future.

Attracting international investors
The US-based Intel Corp. attracted the world by its decision to invest in Vietnam. After only nine months of receiving the investment license, Intel raised its investment capital to US$605 million to US$1 billion to build a chip assembly and testing factory in the Saigon Hi-tech Park (SHTP), Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, Bill Gates, president of Microsoft, visited and met the Vietnamese IT community in April 2006. Japan's electronics and hi-tech companies pledged to invest nearly US$1 billion in Ha Tay and several other provinces. These events affirmed that Vietnam was an attractive and reliable destination for ICT investors in the world.

Becoming the world third to provide mobile phone TV service
Vietnam Multimedia Corp. (VTC) launched the country's first broadcasting television service on mobile phones on the DVB-H architecture on November 10, 2006. Previously, S-Fone offered the video on demand and internet access on mobile phones built on CDMA technology. In addition, many companies also launched WiMAX services for mobile devices in Vietnam. VNPT Group piloted the WiMAX coverage in Lao Cai Province. Then, Viettel and VTC also tested its WiMAX services.

Integrating ICT into the WTO quickly
Only one day after Vietnam joined the WTO, the Vietnamese Government granted the investment licence to DHL-VNPT Express Delivery Co. Ltd - the first joint venture company providing express delivery services. Then, the Ministry of Posts and Telecom licensed FPT Telecom to provide landline telephone service and Saigon Postel (SPT) to set up networks for domestic and international phone calls. VNPT Group also signed the contracts for manufacturing and launching the Vinasat satellite.

Providing communication system for APEC Vietnam 2006
To ensure smooth information transmission for this event, the most modern communication and liaison system with 1,000 network knots, 1,000 telephone lines, WAN network, WiFi network and other mobile communication systems were installed and operated by VNPT Group, Viettel and VTC, serving over 2,000 domestic and international journalists. The complex ensured the quality and security for 20 television lines and nearly 500 international broadcasts in over 300 hours. 

Approaching international market
Viettel provided three telecom packages of VoIP, mobile phone and internet, becoming the first Vietnamese telecom company to supply services abroad. Then, VNPT Group also promoted its investment in Laos to produce bronze cable and in Cambodia to build and operate telecom services. The group also opened a representative office in the United States to prepare for the penetration into this market.

Tightening cooperative ties among domestic telecom firms
This was regarded as a breakthrough of Vietnamese telecom firms as they normally did business on their own before. On December 01, 2006, telecom firms signed connection deals based on the Decision No. 12 by the Ministry of Posts and Telecom. Viettel Mobile, VinaPhone and MobiFone jointly shared the infrastructure network and improved the service quality. VNPT agreed to collect a service fee for HT Mobile.

Regulating online game service business
Six online game firms which were providing 13 online games were inspected by Ho Chi Minh City Department of Posts and Telecom. The stiff action made these firms aware of law observance, especially in the integration process. This action also affirmed the increasing role of the local management units.