The 3G and 4G brands are here to stay in the market.
That is the message from a trio expos Vietnam International Communications Summit & Expo 2011 (Vietnam Comm 2011), Vietnam International Internet & IT Exhibition 2011 (Vietnam Internet & IT 2011) and International Exhibition on Electronics Products in Vietnam 2011 (Vietnam Electronics 2011) which open on November 16.

Typically, VNPT Group’s VinaPhone and MobiFone have gained successes through providing 3G services.

Bui Quoc Viet, director of VNPT Group’s information centre, said the two mobile operator affiliates had signed an increased number of 3G subscribers.

VinaPhone reportedly signed up around two million regular users of 3G services. 3G revenue accounted for 13 per cent of VinaPhone’s revenue.

MobiFone also reported a robust growth of 3G users, as 18 per cent of this operator’s subscribers ranging from aged 15 to 24 use 3G services regularly. However, revenues from 3G service mostly come from VIP accounts. MobiFone’s analysis reported that VIP accounts make up only 20 per cent of the total subscribers, but generated 80 per cent of MobiFone’s data traffic and revenue.

Among MobiFone 3G subscribers, 80 per cent of them sign in 3G services at home while other alternative internet connection tools such as ADSL are available.

“Thus, 3G subscriber number will grow very fast and sustainably and we are approaching to provide 4G services,” said Viet.

Another 3G mobile operator, Viettel also witnessed acceleration of 3G services in Vietnam and Viettel has just provided low-cost 3G service package with mobile subscribers such as offering pre-paid DCOM 3G service without time limitation.

The robust growth of 3G subscribers stemmed from acceptable quality of services and reasonable tariffs.

Viet revealed that right after receiving the 4G trial certificate, VNPT Group shook hands with Russia’s Alltech Telecom to set up a joint venture RusViet Telecom to kick-start running to the 4G services.

Being the first operator receiving a 4G trial certificate in Vietnam, MobiFone is preparing for its plan to upgrade its 3G into the HSPA+ to provide higher capacity with 3G subscribers. MobiFone is also ready to prepare for the next step to move to 4G with LTE technology.

“Our plan is to rollout 4G services in cities and areas where our customers wish to use better capacity services. We initially provided customers with 3G and 3.5G services through expanding network coverage and increase our customer database and receive return from our investment and customers will get easier to move to 4G services,” said Nguyen Ngoc Trinh, MobiFone head of Technology and Network Development Department.

VIR