Mobile subscribers in May up 21.9 percent

Vietnam’s telecommunication service market has continuously been overheated as the number of new mobile subscribers in May grew by 21.9 percent to 18.5 million. The market is still on the growth impetus and telecom service providers continued launching many new services to attract subscribers.

In midst May, Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Group (VNPT) signed exclusive right to broadcast World Cup 2010 on mobile devices. Accordingly, 64 of the 2010 World Cup matches will be streamed live via mobile TV services of two networks MobiFone and VinaPhone. This service allows mobile phone use to watch the World Cup football match via mobile TV services.

From 10-6, VinaPhone will also start offering the online World Cup watching service via World Cup 2010 Live TV Package for subscribers using Mobile TV service. With 30,000 dong per signup, customers can watch live all matches of the 2010 World Cup. In addition, this service also provides a range of facilities such as live match commentary, reviews, and games result prediction.

Pham Ngoc Tu, business manager of VinaPhone said that in order to improve service quality, especially for 3G subscribers from the end of this year, the network will provide about 60 value added services on mobile phones. “Value added service of VinaPhone now accounts for 10 percent of total revenue. In the coming time, the service turnover is expected to be increased to 20 percent,” he added.

S-Fone, the network has the inherent strength in providing value-added services, especially technology-based applications Brew, has introduced 18 more applications, primarily Brew software based games. All 18 games are priced at a 9,990 dong (download charge) with no-limit using time.

In June, the S-Fone announced to expand the coverage of 3G-EVDO service to 37 provinces/cities nationwide, including Long Xuyen, Ba Ria, Long Hai, Vung Tau, Bac Lieu, Ben Tre, Di An, Thu Dau Mot, The Mango, Phan Thiet, Ca Mau, Cao Lanh Sa Dec, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc. S-Fone said, from now until the end of 2010, this network will continue upgrading the service 3G-EVDO service from Rev0 up Reva/B to ensure the good development of 3G services and 4G technology convergence in the future.

Viettel on June 1 offered the discount of average one million dong in the price of 3G iPhone 8GB and 32 GB iPhone 3GS handsets. Accordingly, each unit of 3G 8GB black is sold at 10.3 million dong and each 3GS 32GB white at 14.9 million dong.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Thu Hong, head of communications for VinaPhone told Saigon Economic Times Online that her firm has not considered discounts for iPhone 3G handsets because in April VinaPhone had adjusted service package charges for iPhone.

“VinaPhone has adjusted the iPhone sales policy and just focused on making a more reasonable package. And coming, VinaPhone will not yet consider reducing the price,” Hong said. According to VinaPhone, the company has imported about 5,000 iPhone handsets and almost sold all in the market.

Viettel and VinaPhone are the official distributors of iPhone in Vietnam. Also the third distributor MobiFone has not had any move to launch the smart phone into the market.

VNexpress

Tags: Vietnam Mobile subscribers, Vietnam Telecom