Under the central government’s ambitious plan to bring Vietnam up to speed with the region's internet standards, local mobile carriers are extending their fourth-generation (4G) high-speed network.
According to Nikkei Asian Review, while Viettel aims to cover 99% of Vietnam’s populated areas with coverage this April, MobiFone also plans to cover 53 of the country’s 63 provinces by the end of this year. VNPT, which owns Vinaphone, will also implement 4G service upgrades in 2017.
Gmobile, a new entrant of the market, has already secured a 4G license as well.
Last year Viettel, MobiFone and Vinaphone recorded US$11 billion, US$1.7 billion and US$2 billion, respectively, while the three leading carriers boast 63 million, 34 million and 20 million subscribers, respectively, the news source reports.
Also in 2016, the Vietnamese government set a goal of 40% broadband penetration by 2020, Nikkei reports.
Carriers expect the number of new 4G subscribers to at least double the figure reached by the 3G network in 2009, when the service was first launched and attracted about 8.5 million new subscriptions.
