The three largest network operators in Vietnam are vying to become the official distributor of the world-famous iPhone.
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| iPhones have been hand-carried into Vietnam in recent years. (Photo: T.Nguyen) |
MobiFone, VinaPhone and Viettel are all negotiating to become distributors.
Le Ngoc Minh, General Manager of MobiFone network, shared that they are trying to complete all necessary paperwork with the Apple brand, as quickly as possible in hopes of becoming its official distributor in the Vietnam market. This could come as quickly as April. However, customers who want to buy the phone will also have to pay for the included service package.
According to Mr. Minh, MobiFone specialists have worked closely with Apple representatives since Januray in efforts to attain distribution rights which include strict agreements on the promotion methods, the images, the prices and the timing when the product is introduced to the market.
MobiFone admitted that they are not the first or only iPhone distributor in Vietnam. It was reported that the other two network operators, VinaPhone and Viettel have also signed the same contract with Apple and will begin selling iPhones in early April, at the same time with MobiFone.
VinaPhone’s representative told DTiNews that the fourth generation iPhone will also be introduced in Vietnam's market when it’s officially released. According to initial reports, the latest iPhone version will come with memory space of 8G, 16G and 32G.
At present, all three network operators are trying to work out their selling methods competing against each other while still making profits.
According to telecommunications experts, it is not going to be a simple solution once all the agreements and requirements of Apple are met. The price of the phone will be increased significantly.
All fee charges will come with a compulsory service package for any customer who wants to purchase an iPhone. The problem is how much a service package would cost and if customers can accept it.
Meanwhile, many generations of iPhone, even those not officially distributed, have made their way into Vietnam for quite a few years with plentiful supply. The phone customers therefore, can weigh all the pros and cons before deciding to purchase an iPhone with the service package included or get one that was hand-carried back and then choose the appropriate package.
In a similar event that happened not so long ago, Viettel was very happy and placed high expectations on winning the right to distribute Blackberry in Vietnam. As it turned out, the number of Blackberry's sold was very limited.
The main reason for this problem is distributor’s phone prices are often more expensive than phones sold on the market. Customers end up having to pay a ridiculous price for the service package that comes with the phone.
Learning from previous experience, Viettel has taken very cautious steps in preparing for the upcoming distribution and selling of iPhones. VietTel representatives told DTiNews they are not going to put too much expectation on the selling of iPhones when it is no longer a rare item on the market, especially because it will be distributed by all three of the largest network operators in Vietnam.
Although iPhone is not going to be an easy meal to have, Vietnamese network operators admitted they do not want to miss out on such a great opportunity to enhance their name when associated with the product that has been creating a fever all over the globe.
