VietNamNet Bridge – Contrary to the expectations, Vietnam Telecomp/Electronics - Internet & IT 2010 Exhibition, organized in HCM City several days ago, did not introduce new technologies, did not have the participation of main companies and did not show any breakthroughs.

Few new technologies introduced

In previous years, nearly all big technology companies, such as Nokia Siemens Network, Ericsson, Motorola, France Telecom, Alcatel – Lucent, participated in the event and introduced their new products. But in 2010, they only turned up with workshop presentations on 3G and broadband technologies., Viettel, one of the biggest Vietnamese telecom firms, withdrew from the event in the last minute.

Bui Quoc Viet, the spokesman of the Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Post (VNPT), the organizer of the event, said Viettel decided to withdraw because it could not book a booth with large space in the central area, and some its other requirements could not be satisfied.

Also according to Viet, this year’s telecom and IT exhibition did not attract many technology firms from Europe, because the companies are still struggling with financial difficulties, even though the crisis is theoretically over.

While big equipment manufacturers from the US and Europe were not present at the exhibition, some big groups ca from China, Taiwan and China, namely ZyXEL, ZTE, Huawei and NTT Docomo.

At this year’s exhibition most domestic enterprises only introduce already available services based on the new 3G technology. As for foreign enterprises, they only introduced a few new technologies. For example, NTT Decomo brought three lines of smart phones, the phones integrated with high-fidelity cameras and fashionable products. It also introduced water-resistant phones. Huawei also introduced smart phones run on Anroid and tablet computer which allows users to listen to music, watch film - IDEOS - S7.

Seeking partners

many service providers said they attended the exhibition in order to seek new partners, not to introduce new technologies or services,.

Ho Hong Son, General Director of Saigon Postel (SPT), said that SPT is trying to find new partners who will invest in S-Fone network after the business cooperation contract with South Korean SK Telecom terminates.
VNPT, which is still dominant on the telecom service market, is also trying to improve its business, and one of the things it is doing is to “shake hands” with new partners. VNPT has decided to set up a joint venture with Russian Altech Telecom to provide broadband Internet service on the basis of 4G technology.

Also according to Viet, many Russian telecom firms are attempting to enter Vietnam’smarket through joint ventures. The venture between GTel and VimpelCom is an example. Viet said VNPT is cooperating with some Russian enterprises to develop WiMAX and LTE.

The problem now is the low investment efficiency with the average revenue per user (ARPU) decreasing.the figure is now the lowest in the region and the world, at $3-5. On average, the telecom services in other countries can bring the profit of 15 percent, while the figure is only 10 percent in Vietnam and it is decreasing.

Source: Thoi bao Kinh te Saigon