The prime minister of Vietnam has given the go-ahead for a development project aimed at expanding 3G/4G broadband across the country by 2020.
The programme has the goal of extending broadband to 95% of the country’s inhabited areas, as well as connecting fixed-line to 40% of houses in the same timeframe. In addition, it targets a download speed of 25Mb/s to at least 60% of subscribers.
Vietnam’s government is attempting to offer the broadband service through 100% of the country’s public internet access points, half of which can deliver a minimum 50Mb/s download speed. Wireless access has more modest speed targets – 4Mb/s for urban and 2Mb/s for rural areas.
The initiative is an attempt to create a welcoming environment for investment in broadband infrastructure, as well as simplifying the process of obtaining a telecoms licence. The network will not treat state companies any differently to private firms in an attempt to foster fair competition.
Local firms will be involved in equipment manufacture and assembly in order to lower costs and reduce reliance on imports.
