As of March 10, a total of 109,561 subscribers successfully switched between four mobile carriers of Vinaphone, Viettel, Mobile and Vietnamobile while retaining their mobile numbers via the mobile number portability (MNP) service, according to Vietnam Telecommunications Authority (VNTA).


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Mobifone, one of Vietnam’s three leading telcos, reported 18,809 subscribers coming in, but the number of leavers was more than double at 39,468. Of the total, the successful rate of leaving was 34% and joining the network 72.2%. 

Another major telco Vinaphone has the number of subscribers expecting to join the network at 71,071, while 48,704 requested to leave. The successful rate of moving in was 73.5% and leaving 70.4%. 

Viettel remained the preferred mobile carrier among the top three with 76,710 subscribers asking to join, however, the number of leavers was also the highest among three at 68,014. Viettel has the successful rate of moving in at 56.6% and leaving 85%. 

Meanwhile, Vietnamobile had 1,007 subscribers moving in and 11,411 leaving, the successful rate of joining was 30.1% and leaving 35.4%. 

As of March 10, more than 48,272 subscribers were rejected to switch mobile carriers due to failing to meet requirements, including wrong registration information, or unpaid bill, among others. Vinaphone had denied 11,302 cases, Viettel 7,025, Mobilfone 22,931 and Vietnamobile 7,014.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung previously requested mobile carriers to increase the successful switching rate to at least 90% in March. 

Starting from November 16, 2018 to February 13, 2019, postpaid subscribers of Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone and Vietnamobile will be able to switch between mobile carriers while retaining their existing phone numbers. Gtel is the only carrier that did not join the pilot program.

By the end of October 2018, Vietnam had 130 million mobile subscribers, of whom postpaid subscribers made up 5% of the total or 6 million. 

The MNP services was applicable to all cellphone users as of January 1, 2019. 

Hanoitimes