The Ministry of Information and Communications has permitted Viettel, MobiFone, and VinaPhone to withdraw 50 percent of their deposits for 3G networks, equivalent to 3.57 trillion dong (over $192 million).

Permission was granted after the Ministry’s working group inspected the 3G networks of these firms in June and verified that these companies fulfilled their commitment to invest in the 3G network during the first phase.

During the next three years, if these firms don’t break their commitment for the next investment phase, they will be allowed to withdraw the remaining 50 percent of their deposit.

The MoIC in August 2009 granted licenses for Viettel, VinaPhone, MobiFone, and EVN Telecom-Vietnamobile to set up 3G networks.

These companies deposited up to 8.1 trillion dong ($415 million), including 4.5 trillion dong from Viettel.

PV