The Hanoitimes - Vietnam currently has six providers of Internet services, named VDC, Viettel, FPT Telecom, NetNam, SPT and EVN Telecom, with VDC, Viettel and FPT Telecom in the tripod position.
According to the Vietnam Internet Centre, the country had over 23 Internet users by the end of March 2010, accounting for 27.52 percent of the population. Of this number, there were approximately 3.2 million broadband Internet subscribers, up nearly 40 percent from last year.
Vietnam’s total international bandwidth capacity is 10,8820 Mbps and 13,5197 Mbps for total local bandwidth capacity.
VDC has gained an advantage over Viettel and FPT Telecom when it holds around 70 percent of the broadband Internet market, with 2.5 million subscribers. However, the game is changing because some service providers are trying to expand their coverage and renew their business strategies.
The Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) has invested billions of USD in its broadband Internet network, which is operated by VDC, and expand this network to rural and remote areas. As a result, the number of subscribers of VDC is high because people in many regions have no choice than VDC.
Viettel and FPT Telecom are remarkable rivals in the Internet market but Viettel, which ranks the second, accounts for only 12 percent of the market shares, equivalent to 350,000 subscribers. FPT Telecom’s figures are a little less than Viettel. This firm only focuses on big cities. However, since late 2009, it has begun expanding its service to many provinces and outlying cities. It plans to develop broadband Internet network to 18-20 provinces in 2010 to raise the total number to 40-42 provinces. This firm opened seven branches in March.
Viettel’s broadband Internet network has reached rural areas. In late 2009, this company has implemented a new strategy: concentrating on potential areas and expand its bandwidth to provide more value added services.
Meanwhile, CMC group became a strategic shareholder of NetNam late March 2010, holding 43.8 percent of shares. NetNam’s deputy director Vu The Binh said that NetNam aims to be one of the top five Internet service providers in Vietnam by 2012.
These are new signals in the market, which promises to benefit everyday Internet users.
