State-run Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Group (VNPT) is considering reducing service fees for its two mobile phone networks VinaPhone and MobiFone.
The fee may be reduced by 20 per cent, to be applied in 2007, said the country’s largest post and telecom service provider.
An official from VNPT said that the adjustment of the mobile service fee levels will be implemented in the set roadmap, in order to help raise the competitiveness for the two networks, as other networks all have reduced their fees.
In 2007, VNPT plans to develop 3.5-4 million new subscribers, raising the total number of subscribers to 16 million.
At present, Vinaphone and MobiFone have more than 6 million subscribers each.
Previously, Viettel Mobile announced a 50 per cent cut in subscription fees for the postpaid clients, who have fees of between VND200-500,000 a month, commencing from February 2, 2007.
The clients who have monthly fees of more than VND800,000 will be exempt from the subscription fee of VND59,000 a month and the 30 per cent reduction in calling fees.
According to the Ministry of Posts and Telecom, by February 17, 2007, Vietnam had 30 million telephone subscriptions or 35 telephone lines for every 100 people.
Mobile phone users account for nearly 69 per cent of the total.
The ministry said that in 2006 alone, landline and mobile service providers signed up additional 12 million subscribers, gaining total turnover of VND49,000 billion (US$3 billion).
VNPT remains the leader in the telecommunication market, with earnings of VND38, billion (US$2.37 billion).
In 2007, the post and telecom firms are estimated to rake in total revenues of VND60,000 billion (US$3.7 billion). (VNN)
Vietnamese
