Indochina Telecom debuts first mobile virtual network in Vietnam

Indochina Telecom yesterday announced the launching of the country’s first mobile virtual network that will compete with five other operators.

Unlike the traditional mobile network model, a virtual network operator does not have to build telecommunications infrastructure and instead, it will cooperate with large telecoms networks to use their existing infrastructure.

Indochina Telecom is partnering VNPT Group subsidiary VinaPhone after it failed to negotiate a similar deal with Viettel.

Its deputy general director Luu Anh Son said the virtual model would help save considerable costs, time and effort whilst still ensuring quality for users.

Reselling voice and data packages is an effective way for VinaPhone to share network operating costs and quickly recover the initial investment, he added.

Indochina Telecom has started to introduce services for workers in industrial parks in nine provinces and cities including Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City, Long An and Dong Nai.

The operator is offering a package allowing users to enjoy all under-20-minute call within the network and Vinaphone and 30 minutes call to other network at cost of VND77,000 ($3.3) a month.

Son said the operator would cooperate with all other networks to create convenient services with best connection but at reasonable price.

There will be a variety of packages to provide for different groups and user segments, he added.

Vietnam currently has five mobile network operators including Vinaphone, MobiFone, Viettel, Vietnammobile and G-tel.