Vietnam to develop broadband telecoms to better serve users’ needs
In 2021, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, people had to switch to online learning, working and entertainment, and the demand for the Internet also increased, thus creating an opportunity to develop the telecommunications industry, but also posing many challenges for domestic fixed and mobile broadband subscription providers.
Hanoi (VNA) - In 2021, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,people had to switch to online learning, working and entertainment, and the demand for the Internet also increased, thus creating an opportunity to developthe telecommunications industry, but also posing many challenges for domesticfixed and mobile broadband subscription providers.
Therefore, developing telecoms infrastructure and broadband Internetservices to better serve the needs of users is a goal of the industry in2022.
Doan Quang Hoan, General Secretary of the Radio-ElectronicsAssociation of Vietnam, said that users almost do not care about how many Mbpsthe network speed is, but the stability when experiencing registeredinternet services.
According to statistics of the Department ofTelecommunications under the Ministry of Information and Communications, by theend of 2021, Vietnam had 70.9 million mobile broadband subscribers, accountingfor 57.23 percent of the total number of mobile subscribers, up 4 percentyear-on-year; and 18.79 million fixed broadband subscribers, up 14.59 percentyear-on-year.
Although the trend of developing fixed broadband services isinevitable to serve the digital transformation in Vietnam in general as well asthe increase in people's demand for Internet use in particular, the pressure ontelecommunications revenue is still very high.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)
The average revenue per unit (ARPU) of fixed broadbandsubscriptions in 10 months of 2021 was only about 137,000 VND (about 6USD), down 8 percent compared to 2020 (149,000 VND). Among the nearly 18 millionfiber-optic broadband subscribers in Vietnam, up to 83 percent use packageswith speeds below 100Mbps, making Vietnam's fiber-optic broadband speed stillmuch lower than that of some countries in the region.
Hoang Duc Dung from the Viettel Network Corporation, anaffiliate of the Viettel Group, said that Vietnam is among the markets with thecheapest internet charges in the world, ranking 12th out of the 211 countries andterritories in terms of fixed broadband internet charges. In 2021, Internetcapacity grew rapidly, but revenue only increased 2 percent per year. This is agreat pressure on telecoms service providers, he added.
Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said that infrastructure must be developed first and fast, and thetechnologies applied must be modern ones.
Deputy Director of the Telecommunications Authority NguyenPhong Nha held that to improve broadband internet quality, focus should be placed on upgrading bandwidth and modem devices’ capacity, widening domestic andinternational bandwidth, and adjusting standards./.
At least 95 percent of total households in Hanoi are expected to use at least one smartphone by 2025, according to a postal-telecommunications infrastructure development plan serving the city digital transformation programme to 2025 with a vision to 2030.
The Ministry of Information and Communications is collecting feedback on a draft master plan on information and communications (ICT) infrastructure for 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050, which outlines four scenarios for the growth of the market.
Internet infrastructure in the country is set to receive considerable investment in 2022 to meet users’ growing demand, according to the Dau tu (Vietnam Investment Review) newspaper.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
According to the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, on making breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, this is considered a decisive factor in the development of nations. It is seen as a prerequisite and the best opportunity for Vietnam to become prosperous and powerful in the new era of the nation’s rise.
Vietnam’s demographic advantage, including a youthful population of 100 million in a “golden age”, further bolsters its ambitions. Its dynamic workforce, with a natural inclination toward science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), is a key asset in attracting private investment to innovation-driven sectors.
Vietnam views sci-tech as a decisive factor in national development and a key tool for achieving sustainable development goals, and is ready to boost sci-tech cooperation with Venezuela for mutual prosperity.
Illustrative image (Source: emerging-europe.com) 
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
