Mobile internet services using third generation (3G) technology is becoming increasingly popular in Vietnam as prices fall, say industry experts.

Dinh Viet Hung, from MobiFone’s Marketing and Telecoms Charge Department, said that 90 percent of all MobiFone 3G subscribers used high speed 3G mobile internet services at work and on the move.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Anh Duc, deputy director of Viettel’s HCM City branch, said the telecommunications sector in 2010 would focus on developing faster mobile internet services to attract subscribers.

“Mobile internet services will play an increasingly important role in subscriber development and Vietttel is focusing on building strong infrastructure to meet demand for broadband internet access,” he said.
Hung added that changing work patterns and leisure activities had increased the need for fast mobile internet access.

In addition, the price of terminal equipment integrated with 3G internet access had become increasingly cheaper, he said.

Conversely, he said to use 3G services such as Video Call and Mobile Television, customers needed to purchase expensive terminal equipment, which was why they were not as popular yet in the country, particularly as demand for these services was chiefly from the younger generation who have less disposable income.

MobiFone and VinaPhone have been providing 3G services since the end of 2009. The Electricity of Vietnam’s Telecommunications business and Vietnam Mobile plan to launch 3G services in April and June, respectively.

According to BMI (Business Monitor International), Vietnam ’s 3G market has not yet boomed because the price of 3G services is still high.

BMI forecasts that the number of 3G subscribers will reach about 4.5 million in 2013, accounting for just 2 percent of all mobile phone users./.