Synopsis
This report looks at a key aspect of Vietnam’s telecommunications sector – progress in the development of the country’s telecom infrastructure. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam continues to grapple with its transition from a centrally planned economy to an economy based on the open market model. For a considerable period the role of the state in telecommunications had been holding back reforms in the regulation of the sector. More recently this has been changing. As a result, the country has become much more attractive market to foreign investors. Nevertheless more reforms are required. In the meantime, Vietnam has launched Vinasat-1, the country’s first satellite, placing it in orbit in 2008 and is already well advanced in planning for the launch of Vinasat-2 scheduled for 2012. There have also been some partnerships formed over the last few years involving Vietnam in new submarine cable systems. In addition to reviewing telecom infrastructure, this report also takes a brief look at the major fixed-line operators.
Key developments:
Fixed-line market experiencing only slight growth, with little prospect of upturn; VNPT continues to be the dominant fixed-line operator; the broadband market has started to grow, with promising future; wireless broadband services have become increasingly popular; the booming mobile market reached a penetration of around 180% by end-2011; a downturn has hit the mobile market, however; Vinasat-1 satellite capacity is fully used; Vinasat-2 satellite on track for launch some time in 2012.
Companies covered in this report include:
VNPT; Viettel; EVN Telecom; Saigon Postel (SPT); FPT Telecom; VTC, a VNPT subsidiary; CMC; GTel; Tata Communications; VTI, a VNPT subsidiary; Lockheed Martin.
