The proposal to lower 2G mobile fees from the 3 largest operators in Vietnam has not yet been approved by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC).
 |
| 2G mobile market quieting down, and replaced by increasingly popular 3G mobiles. |
Smaller mobile network operators, however, are allowed to promote different discount programmes.
Mr. Pham Hong Hai, head of the Telecommunications Department (MIC) said, the ministry received the proposal to lower mobile phones current monthly fees by 20% from Viettel, VinaPhone and MobiFone at the end of January, however, approval is pending.
"According to the ministry's regulations, those network operators that hold large shares in the market are required to make an annual report on their discount periods, but none have done so for the 2009 year. The ministry, therefore, cannot decide whether to approve this proposal. This regulation only applies to large mobile network operators to prevent any unhealthy competition among the networks or dumping on the market; and does not apply to small operators," added Mr. Hai.
Consequently, small network operators such as Beeline and Vietnamobile are free to use any kind of discount promotions they choose to attract customers, thus their customer subscription rate has expanded quickly.
Also, according to Mr. Hai, investigations would be carried out if larger mobile network operators recounted complaints on smaller ones. According to phone experts, the market has not been affected much.
In addition, all three of the largest mobile network operators are concentrating on promoting 3G mobiles. The 2G mobile market has slowed down and the up and coming 3G mobile market is increasingly popular with huge discount campaigns by the large networks.
On March 25, Viettel announced that its 3G mobile package will start at VND 10,000 (50 cents USD) per month. MobiFone immediately followed in the race with a starting fee of VND 5,000 (25 cents USD) per month. Other great discount programmes for 3G mobiles will also be available according to these two network operators. The market is waiting for VinaPhone to join in the lowering-fee race.
It was reported that during the first development stage of 3G mobile, there will be no price adjustments to worry about. It is likely that many discount programmes on 3G mobiles will be promoted widely to attract customers, in the same way that 2G mobiles were introduced and expanded previously.
