One of the big changes of the telecommunication market recently is the Ministry of Information and Communications’ (MIC) decision on stopping selling simcards via sales agents. This aims to solve the ‘junk card’ problem.

Mobile network operators have promised to stop seeking subscribers through sales agents.

Instead of using sales agents, mobile network operators will focus on developing the distribution channels of their own and through prestigious chains.

It happens now that sales agents pay money to ‘borrow’ other people’s names and register simcards in the names, and then sell to other users. The problem is expected to be stopped if applying the solution.

Telecom carriers will reconsider their distribution channels and only develop subscribers through the channels which they can supervise. This will help minimize the number of ‘junk cards’ and unauthorized simcards.

VietNamNet has conducted a small survey in the market and found that many sales agents have stopped selling simcards, while others only sell plain simcards. Those, who buy the plain simcards have to go directly to telcos’ transaction offices to activate the simcards.

The sale of junk cards and ready-activated simcards in Hanoi has reduced significantly. About 47 percent of card sales agents answered that they have junk cards to sell when they were asked about products.

However, the stoppage of selling cards via sales agents has caused difficulties to mobile network operators.

After the MIC’s decision was released, telecom carriers can only sell simcards at transaction points of their own and via prestigious mobile phone distribution chains. A representative of the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Corporation (VNPT) said this will lead to the increases in telcos’ administration costs. VNPT president To Dung Thai said telcos have been making every effort to observe the regulations, but they still cannot do it fully and immediately.

“We have been selling simcards through sales agents for years and an unexpected stoppage will cause big difficulties for us,” he said, adding that an extension of the deadline should occur, so that telcos have enough time to adapt to the new circumstances.

MobiFone also said that the sale of simcards via agents accounts for 90 percent of its newly developed subscribers. Therefore, if it cannot use sales agents, it will face difficulties in financial balancing and lack resources for reinvestment.

A representative of Digilife, belonging to VNPAY, which has recently got a license to set up a MVNO (mobile virtual network operators), complained that the decision will cause problems to MVNOs without have distribution networks and service points.

Trong Dat