The latest survey by the Ministry of Information and Communications reveals that the real numbers of 3G subscribers are much lower than those touted by mobile operators.

VietNamNet Bridge – The latest survey by the Ministry of Information and Communications reveals that the real numbers of 3G (third generation) subscribers are much lower than those touted by mobile operators.

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According to the Ministry survey, Viettel and VinaPhone only have 1.5 million subscribers each, while MobiFone has 4 million.

Yet in March 2010, VinaPhone claimed to have 7 million subscribers and MobiFone stated it had nearly 6 million. Viettel estimated that it had 1 million subscribers at the launch.

At a international telecom conference in Hanoi this May, Viettel Deputy General Director Nguyen Manh Hung remarked that, when the charges for 3G services falls to around $5/1Gbs and laptop price is $200/unit, the number of 3G subscribers may boom.

Hung also estimated that, at present, 95 percent of mobile users don’t have 3G cell phones and those who use USB 3G for laptops is very modest.

In related news, another mobile operator – EVN Telecom – on June 9 launched its 3G service, becoming the fourth 3G provider after Vinaphone, MobiFone and Viettel.

According to Director Pham Duong Minh, EVN Telecom’s 3G services will focus on populated cities like HCM City, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Can Tho.

To widen service-coverage area, the company has invested in an additional 5,000 3G base-transceiver stations (Node B) for the second phase, Minh revealed.

EVNTelecom signed with Electricity and Telecom Payment Solutions Joint-Stock Company, ECPay, agreeing to a comprehensive cooperative contract with ASUS computer group and a framework agreement to provide value-added service on 3G network with VTC Digicom.

So far, EVNTelecom has developed nearly 2,500 Node B stations, covering 46 percent of the population. It plans to increase the figure to 7,500 jjust one year after launching its 3G service.

Ha Phuong