The Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) has been short-listed for the ‘Changing Lives’ awards - one of the 10 prizes up for grabs at the Broadband Infovision Awards 2010.

The jury selected VNPT thanks to its initiatives and solutions for developing broadband infrastructures and services in Vietnam during 2009 and 2010.

Holding the largest broadband market share in Vietnam , at 75 percent, the group has narrowed the “digital gap” between urban and rural areas, changing people’s lives by giving them access to the internet and the knowledge-based economy.

VNPT will compete against three rivals – Columbus Networks, Saudi Telecoms and Telstra, for the award.

The Broadband Infovision Award is a world-acclaimed prize which is presented annually by the UK ’s Informa communications group. It attracts major telecoms corporations and operators from all over the world.

53 entrants have been listed for this year’s awards, covering 10 categories including best new service; broadband access network technologies and services; broadband network and services management and operations; content, entertainment, applications and services; broadband home: appliances, devices, home networks and services; enabling silicon and component-level technologies; network innovation; green broadband; broadband innovation of the year and broadband that changes lives.

Within the framework of the Awards, a Broadband World Forum will also be held in France , from October 26-28, with 200 executives from the world’s leading telecoms groups attending./.