The 3G telephone network has drawn over 8 million subscribers so far after the technology was launched in the 80 million plus strong Vietnam 18 months ago.

The Ministry of Information and Communication released the report at a workshop in Hanoi on July 20, saying the network can cover at least 54.71 percent of population and even up to 93.68 percent in big cities.

The launch of 3G USB with compatible charges in comparison with the ADSL network has helped bring internet services far down to remote rural areas, thus gradually narrowing the gap of development between cities and countryside, the ministry reported./.