The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has approved the strategy on developing Vietnam’s international fiber optic cable network by 2030, with a vision toward 2035, aiming to list Vietnam among the leading countries in the region in an international optic cable network.

VIA deputy chair Vu The Binh talked to VietNamNet about the strategy.

Could you please tell us about the role of international fiber optic cable systems, especially submarine optic cable in the national digital infrastructure?

The internet connection has become an indispensable part of the life of Vietnamese people. As most content and apps are placed at Digital Hubs in the region, international optic cable systems, including submarine cables, play a very important role in ensuring smooth socio-economic activities, as well as national defence.

Particularly, submarine cable systems have their own specific characteristics and they make up a large proportion of the usable capacity of Vietnam’s international internet connection, and, therefore, it is very important to Vietnam’s digital transformation, digital government, digital society and digital economy.

With the characteristics of large capacity and low costs, international submarine cable systems can serve as the main blood vessels of Vietnam's Internet network.

What are your comments about the strategy on developing Vietnam’s international optic cable network by 2030 which has just been approved by MIC?

We highly appreciate the move by MIC to approve the strategy. Such a strategy on internet connection is now urgently needed. The strategy shows the vision, goals and some solutions to the development of Vietnam’s international optic cable network in 5-10 years.

The content of the strategy will be a valuable source of information for multinationals and big telecom carriers, Vietnamese and international, as well as other players in the internet ecosystem in Vietnam.

Developing an international optic cable system, like building a high-speed road network, is very costly in time and money. Therefore, a reasonable strategy will help direct the implementation. Of course, in modern times, strategies need regular assessments and corrections to adapt to new circumstances and changes. 

I think that the specific goals set by the strategy will, more or less, help Vietnam become more independent in internet connections, especially connections with regional hubs. With the scale and strength of the telecom and internet markets, and large telecom carriers, it is the right time for Vietnam to be more proactive in the ‘internet connection playing field’ of the region. 

Domestic cooperation, including cooperation among telecom carriers, under which the carriers join forces to invest and exploit international optic cable infrastructure together, has been identified as one of the four major solutions of the strategy. The 2024-2025 telecom infrastructure development plan has assigned specific tasks to large carriers. What would you say about the new implementation method?

Though the international optic cable game is becoming easier for telecom carriers to play, I still believe that the synergy among enterprises will be the decisive factor. The typical characteristic of international optic cable connection is multilateral and multipurpose, therefore, encouraging Vietnamese businesses to cooperate with each other to promote international connection efforts is a necessity.

In addition to cooperation with other Vietnamese companies, telecom carriers, of course, have been and will continue to cooperate with foreign businesses to build and maintain multinational-connection international optic cable systems. Obviously, with internal unity, Vietnam’s telecom carriers will have better long-term benefits.

Competing with each other is a challenge that Vietnam’s telcos need to overcome together to seek better benefits.

We also understand that international optic cable systems can be deployed on land and set across borders of neighboring countries.

At present and in the future, telecommunications businesses still need to maintain fiber optic cable channels on land, to at least ensure network security, as well as take advantage of bilateral and multilateral business opportunities. 

What are the key factors that will ensure successful implementation of the fiber optic cable system strategy?

Building international fiber optic cable infrastructure is very costly and is a long-term investment. Therefore, if it is just a matter of every business, it will be difficult to successfully gain achievements as expected.

Management agencies should periodically review and synchronize this strategy with other strategies, such as strategies related to data centers and FDI (foreign direct investment), as well as 5G development.

Van Anh