Mobile virtual networks are popular worldwide and operators are licensed to provide wireless communications services, but are not allowed to build their own mobile infrastructure, so they have to use infrastructure of other operators through business agreements.
The first mobile virtual network in Vietnam received a license on August 19, 2009, when the then Ministry of Information and Telecommunications permitted Dong Duong Telecom to set up such a network. The telecom firm will provide services via the network infrastructure of Viettel.
On June 22, 2010, the information ministry granted Vietnam Multimedia Corp. (VTC) a license to establish a mobile virtual network and use the infrastructure of EVN Telecom.
Under prevailing regulations, mobile virtual networks that fail to start operations two years after they were licensed would be cancelled out. However, the operators ascribed their delays to certain problems and vowed to provide services, so their licenses have not been revoked as yet.
A senior executive of Dong Duong Telecom told the media on Tuesday that the company is having difficulty negotiating the use of infrastructure. However, Dong Duong Telecom is determined to join the mobile market with its virtual network.
As for VTC, the company has not made any move since EVN Telecom was transferred to Viettel. According to a leader of VTC, the competition in the telecom market is too fierce, ensuring that VTC is no longer keen on investment in mobile virtual network.
Pham Hong Hai, director of the Authority of Telecommunications, told the Daily that the information ministry had asked the firms licensed to operate mobile virtual networks to report on their deployment progress. The ministry also urged them to promptly roll out the networks, or else they will have their licenses revoked.
Source: VietNamNet/SGT
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