Back Society » Tech » [Updated] Ministry Approves Increased 3G Fees

[Updated] Ministry Approves Increased 3G Fees

[Update Below] Vietnamese telecommunication companies are awaiting a decision by the Ministry of Information and Communication that would double 3G fees in the country.

According to VN Express, 3G service, which currently costs around VND50,000 per month (depending on your carrier), is eating away at the profits of Vietnamese telecos. Statistics show that 3G service fees are only covering 35 – 68% of costs. Selling the service at this price is making it difficult to recapitalize infrastructure investments and improve service quality, they said.

However, the Department of Telecommunications said that prices should not be increased sharply to avoid disturbing customers.

3G quality in Vietnam is notoriously shoddy and many are unwilling to pay higher prices without an improvement in service, said a department spokesperson.

There are currently 15.7 million 3G subscribers in Vietnam, making up only about 10% of total revenue.

We just miss the not-so-distant glory days of 100% discounts.

[VN Express // Flickmor

 

Update 14/10: The Ministry of Information and Communication has approved a price hike for 3G services.

Starting October 16, Viettel and Mobiphone will raise their monthly 3G fees from VND50,000 to VND70,000. According to Tuoi Tre, Vinaphone will announce similar rate changes in the coming days.

Based on the comments in the Tuoi Tre article, some Vietnamese netizens are unhappy with the news, complaining about low service quality. Others viewed it as a small increase which still leaves Vietnam with some of the lowest 3G prices in the world.

[Tuoi Tre]

Related Articles

in Tech

‘Flappy Bird’ Maker Ranked One of the World’s Most Influential App Developers

He’s probably sitting in his room, cursing them for it, but Dong Nguyen of ‘Flappy Bird’ fame has made Business Insider’s list of “the world’s 11 most influential people working in apps.”

in Tech

"Fucking Ugly" Websites Plague Vietnam

Design is subjective; ‘good’ design changes by region, city and individual. Design elements that may seem antiquated to one, may be fresh or reinvented by another so we try not to judge - except when ...

in Tech

$1 Billion High-Tech Park Proposed for HCMC

As part of the continuing effort to modernize Vietnam’s workforce, authorities are reviewing a proposal for a massive science and technology park in HCMC.

in Tech

$110m Pledged for Vietnamese Startups

It looks like Vietnamese startups are about to get a boost in funding. The Ministry of Science and Technology has announced a $110 million program called FIRST, designed to breathe financial life into...

in Tech

$189m Plan to Give 300,000 HCMC Students Tablets Draws Criticism

Last week the HCMC Department of Education proposed a plan to equip 300,000 primary students with tablets for the coming school year, reports Thanh Nien. With a pricetag of VND3 million – VND 5 m...

in Tech

'Flappy Bird' Creator To Release New Game Tomorrow

Well, Nguyen Ha Dong, the Vietnamese app developer who at one point was pulling in $55,000 per day, is officially back in the spotlight. After releasing a new version of ‘Flappy Bird’ earlier this mon...

Partner Content