VietNamNet Bridge – VNPT, the country’s leading telecom firm, is seeking approval from the Ministry of Information and Communications to provide cable TV service.

VNPT submitted an application for the cable TV license after Viettel and FPT had been licensed to become cable TV service providers in April and August respectively.

At a recent meeting with the ministry, general director of VNPT Tran Manh Hung proposed the ministry permit his company to provide cable TV service using its current cable grid nationwide.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister Le Nam Thang said the ministry backed the integration of different services on the existing infrastructure and encouraged telecom enterprises to enter the cable TV market.

VNPT should file its application to the appropriate authorities, according to Thang.

In addition to cable TV service, VNPT is seeking a license for satellite TV service like K+, AVG and VTC to make use of excessive capacities of Vinasat 1 and 2 satellites.

Moreover, satellite TV service can reach the areas without access to cable TV service, such as islands and remote areas.

VNPT earlier got a license for Internet protocol television (IPTV) service. Late last year saw this firm having the highest number of IPTV subscribers, at around one million.

According to experts, IPTV has many features and high interoperability. However, this technology requires high investments by service suppliers and end-users.

Source: SGT