Consumers have been benefiting from unceasing cuts in mobile phone and other telecom service charges since the beginning of the year.

According to figures released by the General Statistics Office, telecom charges in July were reduced by more than 11 percent as compared to the same period last year and by around 9.5 percent year on year in the first seven months of the year.

Telecom experts said that the continuous drop in mobile phone service charges plus many attractive promotion programmes have helped the nation’s telecom sector record a high growth rate. Vietnam is considered one of the fastest growing markets in the world, they said.

By the end of July, the nation had more than 90 million mobile phone subscribers, making up 85 percent of its telephone subscribers. Viettel has the highest number of subscribers, followed by MobiFone and VinaPhone.

The current fierce competition among telecom service providers is focusing on the network quality, reduced fees and support services for new and old subscribers. Mobile service charges are forecast to see hot competition in the coming time.

As soon as the seventh mobile phone network, Beeline, made its debut with a promotional campaign offering unbelievable discounts, other mobile carriers took action to remain competitive.

As of August 1, Viettel and MobiFone have offered promotion programmes for pre-paid subscribers in which they will receive an additional 20 percent of the value of new cards in their account. Meanwhile, VinaPhone subscribers are exempted from charges when making on-net calls lasting up to 20 minutes and on 50 messages.

The three mobile carriers said they will surprise their subscribers, especially young customers in August./.