>> Slow-going for iPhone in Vietnam
Vinaphone and Viettel have at last managed to almost sell out their inventories of iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G, as customers hold out for the new iPhone 4.
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| Distributors of iPhone 3G and 3GS did not reach the sales figures they hoped for (Photo by TT) |
These service providers did not sell the numbers that they had hoped for in the last four months. Both companies had to offer substantial discounts and special privileges to customers in a bid to sell their Apple products imported this March.
Viettel imported about 10,000 iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS units 4 months ago. While the providers were able to sell most of the 3GS models, they have not been able to sell all of their 3G units. Viettel will likely continue launching additional promotions in hopes of selling the remaining products before they begin providing the iPhone 4.
Vinaphone said that the number of iPhone 3GS which they sold was also more than they sold of the iPhone 3G. They reported having a very limited number of iPhone 3GS left to offer their customers.
However, both Viettel and Vinaphone announced that they had not made any plans to import more iPhone 3GS units because if their customers want to buy an iPhone, they will likely wait and buy the latest generation product.
At present, Viettel is negotiating with Apple to import the iPhone 4 beginning in September. Vietnam is not included in the markets prioritised for distributing the iPhone 4 in the first stage plans of the manufacturer.
Vinaphone is also negotiating with Apple to import the iPhone 4. They will offer the product in the Vietnamese market as soon as they have a deal with Apple.
It’s predicted that Apple will come up with a decision of offering distribution rights to both Viettel and Vinaphone at the same time.
At this point, Mobifone is not expected to be involved in the competition.
