3:04:20 AM | 12/7/2011
In the national economic development investment strategy, the Party and the State of Vietnam always create the best conditions for the stable and comprehensive development of Thai Binh province. Particularly, intensive investment for information and communication is always a high priority. Under the 3G (third generation) service development strategy adopted by the military-run Viettel Group, Viettel Thai Binh Branch constantly focuses resources on developing 3G networks where D-com 3G broadband internet service is a high priority, aiming to bring affordable and easy-to-use internet service to everyone.
By the end of 2010, the number of ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line - a technology enabling faster data transmission over copper telephone lines than conventional voice-band modem) subscribers in Thai Binh province totalled 22,000, accounting for some 4 percent of total households, offices, businesses, and internet agents in the province. Seeing huge potential in this market segment, Viettel Thai Binh has since its inception applied measures to diversify distribution channels to introduce broadband internet services and enable users to access and subscribe more easily.
The branch has built a distribution system with over 1,500 agents, points of sale, computer companies and nearly 600 staff operating in all communes in the province. As a result, customers can easily access advice, referrals and services, and introduce D-com 3G wireless internet services to other customers.
In the light of business philosophy "network goes first, business follows," Viettel Thai Binh has concentrated on developing a broad D-com 3G service network in the province. By the end of May 2010, Viettel Thai Binh had erected and operated 287 3G stations in 286 communes in the province, serving more than 10,000 customers. In 2011, the branch plans to build 59 more 3G stations to provide better internet access for all schools, businesses and households which cannot use ADSL internet lines. At the end of June 2011, Viettel Thai Binh will provide wireless broadband internet services for 380 schools, ensuring broadband internet access for all local schools.
The start-up costs for using 3G internet are lower than those for ADSL internet services, unlike some have thought. To be precise, with a minimum monthly fee of roughly VND30,000, customers can use internet services at a 7.2 Mbps transmission speed in a broad coverage of stable 3G internet services. This is an affordable price in poor rural areas where users mainly use basic internet demands like price notification, market information and news. In addition to incentives for general customers, Viettel has additional preferences for specialised customers working in education and journalism.
Customers in the education sector and students will get a 15 percent discount on internet devices if they are pre-paid users and only pay an initial fee of VND50,000 for D-com 3G 3.6 Mbps and VND180,000 for D-com 3G 7.2 Mbps. Customers working in the press will enjoy a 50 percent discount for equipment and 50 percent of service fee if they are post-paid users. From June 1, 2011, Viettel is offering a special feature, "Tomato and maximum rates" for D-com 3G services, allowing users to access wireless Internet service more easily. The new features include:
No limit on service time: Customers need to have a balance on their accounts for the previous two months and use it at least one time in any form of top-up, messaging or internet access, and they can use internet service without having to worry about time limit. Without the "Tomato" feature, they will no longer have to worry about the expiry of their SIM data whenever they have a balance on their accounts. This also indirectly helps D-com 3G users reduce mobile Internet costs.
No limit on traffic: Customers can freely use the internet for only VND120,000 per month. In case they use less services than the monthly charge of VND120,000, the charge will be counted on their actual use. With this feature, customers can manage their expenditures on internet service and no longer worry about the cost when they use excessively, especially when they use post-paid wireless Internet services.
According to the Viettel Group’s 3G development strategy, 3G services will be as popular as 2G services. Service charge for D-com 3G services is developed, based on demand from a vast majority of customers, even in rural areas. No subscription charge, no service limit for pre-paid packages and promotional gifts for new top-ups are major features for pre-paid users. With monthly subscription charge of VND30,000, post-paid users can use up to 700 Mb for free. Equivalent service charge for ADSL access is only from VND45,000 to VND60,000 a month, depending on service packages.
In conclusion, with the outstanding features of 3G services, broadband Internet is no longer a strange term for people in Thai Binh province. The 3G wireless Internet network is expected to quickly rise up and create a boom much like the previous ADSL revolution.
Vietnamese
