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Tag: mobiFone

  • MobiFone and Rakuten Symphony Unveil Vietnam’s Groundbreaking Open RAN Network Launch

    MobiFone and Rakuten Symphony Unveil Vietnam’s Groundbreaking Open RAN Network Launch

    MobiFone, one of Vietnam’s top mobile network operators, has taken a significant leap into the future by collaborating with Japan’s Rakuten Symphony to introduce the country’s first open radio access network (Open RAN). This pioneering initiative not only marks a transformative moment for Vietnam’s telecommunications landscape but also sets a precedent in the Southeast Asian region.

    In a strategic move, the two companies have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to implement a pilot nationwide mobile network utilizing both 4G and 5G Open RAN technologies. This venture firmly positions MobiFone at the cutting edge of telecommunications innovation in Southeast Asia. Open RAN is being showcased as a practical and efficient solution for expanding mobile network coverage, while it also provides valuable technical validation for commercial operations in Vietnam.

    As this ambitious project unfolds, Rakuten Symphony will deliver the essential Open RAN technology and liaise with its ecosystem of partners to provide technical expertise during the pilot phase. MobiFone, on the other hand, will lay the groundwork for the initiative by allocating necessary cell and core network sites, ensuring everything is set for the experimentation with this groundbreaking technology.

    Exceptional Growth Ahead

    Mr. Vinh Tuan Bao, the Deputy General Director of MobiFone, emphasized the importance of this collaboration by stating, “Our vision for 2030 is to become Vietnam’s leading technology corporation, taking the lead in building the nation’s digital infrastructure. On this journey, 5G is positioned as a key foundational pillar, playing an essential role not only as a technological breakthrough but also as a transformative platform that redefines societal operations and production methods.”

    Rakuten Symphony has gained a reputation as an early adopter of Open RAN technology and is dedicated to fostering standardized innovation, automated quality assurance, and advanced edge cloud capabilities within future communication frameworks. Drawing from their experience in successfully deploying a full-scale Open RAN network in Japan, supported by the Japanese government’s post-5G infrastructure initiative, Rakuten aims to replicate this success in Vietnam.

    Looking to the Future

    Sharad Sriwastawa, President of Rakuten Symphony, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “The Rakuten team is looking forward to sharing our success in Japan with Vietnam by showcasing the transformational benefits of Open RAN, including deployment flexibility, enhanced network performance and security, and improved customer experience with new and innovative mobile services.”

    As MobiFone embarks on this exciting journey into the world of Open RAN, it seems the future of Vietnamese telecommunications is not just bright—it’s downright dazzling.

    Questions & Answers

    What is Open RAN and why is it significant for Vietnam?
    Open RAN refers to an open framework for building radio access networks, which enhances flexibility and efficiency within mobile networks. Its introduction is pivotal for Vietnam as it provides a robust platform for expanding telecommunications infrastructure and improving network performance.

    How will the collaboration between MobiFone and Rakuten Symphony unfold?
    MobiFone and Rakuten Symphony will jointly deploy a pilot nationwide 4G and 5G Open RAN network, with Rakuten offering technological support and MobiFone preparing the necessary infrastructure.

    What are the long-term goals of MobiFone’s vision for 2030?
    MobiFone aims to become Vietnam’s leading technology corporation focused on revolutionizing the country’s digital infrastructure, with 5G technology as a key element in reshaping societal function and business practices.

  • MobiFone Rolls Out 5G, Boosting Vietnam’s Digital Growth

    MobiFone Rolls Out 5G, Boosting Vietnam’s Digital Growth

    Initially, the 5G service will be available in major city centers, with plans to expand nationwide soon. The network operates on the 3.800-3.900 MHz frequency band, using both 5G NSA (non-standalone) and 5G SA (standalone) architectures. The network speed can reach up to 1.5 Gbps, which is 10 to 15 times faster than 4G.

    Existing 4G subscribers with 5G-compatible smartphones can access the 5G network across coverage areas without changing their SIM cards. For enterprise customers, MobiFone offers over 100 products and solutions for eight priority sectors, addressing national digital transformation. MobiFone has already implemented various 5G-based solutions for government agencies and businesses nationwide.

    Examples include an artificial intelligence (AI) camera solution for smart tourism and traffic management, as well as a 5G private network solution at Vicem Hoang Mai Cement Joint Stock Company.

    Vietnam launched 5G services at the end of 2024. As of January 2025, Viettel has 5.5 million 5G subscribers, while Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) has extended 5G coverage to 63 provinces and major airports, serving around 3 million users. MobiFone aims to accelerate 5G commercialization to support national economic growth.

    Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the importance of expanding 5G commercialization to achieve at least 8% economic growth by 2025. Mastering 5G technology is crucial to meet this goal. According to the GSMA, 5G is expected to contribute over USD 930 billion to the global economy by 2030, benefiting key sectors such as industrial manufacturing, public administration, services, IT and communications, and finance.

    To support 5G infrastructure development, the National Assembly has allocated state budget funds to assist telecom companies with the rapid network expansion. Enterprises deploying at least 20,000 5G base stations by the end of 2025 will have 15% of their equipment costs covered. MobiFone’s 5G service not only enhances digital transformation but also boosts technological innovation and economic competitiveness. By leveraging 5G, Vietnam aims to become a regional technology leader and an attractive destination for foreign investment.

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  • FPT Retail debuts mobile virtual network in Vietnam

    FPT Retail debuts mobile virtual network in Vietnam

    Electronics retailer FPT Retail has unveiled its own mobile virtual network, marking it as the country’s fifth such network.

    Known for operating the FPT Shop chain and being a subsidiary of the tech giant FPT, FPT Retail does not have its own network infrastructure but leases network services from MobiFone and offers subscriptions to consumers at its own pricing.

    With an established ecosystem that includes over 800 FPT Shops across 63 Vietnamese cities and provinces, FPT Retail is poised to leverage its substantial retail presence. These shops annually sell around 1.5 million smartphones and various electronic gadgets.

    The new network will be infused with advanced features like cloud computing and artificial intelligence, targeting a demographic keen on cutting-edge technologies, specifically younger consumers. It also aims to cater to businesses and households.

    FPT Retail’s strategy involves incorporating various FPT services into the network, enhancing the overall user experience, said CEO Hoang Trung Kien.

    The introduction of this network adds to the existing roster of mobile virtual network operators in Vietnam, which currently includes iTel, Wintel, Local, and VNSKY.

    As of early 2023, these operators collectively serviced about 2.56 million subscribers, accounting for 2.1% of the total Vietnamese market.

    The majority of the market is still dominated by five telecom firms that own network infrastructure, namely VinaPhone, Viettel, MobiFone, Vietnammobile, and Gtel.

  • MobiFone profits down in 2022

    MobiFone profits down in 2022

    Telecom giant MobiFone reported a decline in profits and revenues in 2022, and said they fell short of targets.

    At a review meeting on January 5 the company said revenues fell to VND28.329 trillion (US$1.18 billion), and profits to VND2.71trillion.

    They had been VND31 trillion and VND4.96 trillion in 2021.

    The bright spot in the business last year was that data revenues increased by 27%.

    In April it had launched MobiFone Pay e-wallet and Mobile Money e-money.

    With the telecom market saturated and revenues on a downtrend, the company this year eyes new businesses such as digital finance, digital health and digital education, chairman Nguyen Hong Hien said.

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  • Mobile virtual network operators hold 1% market share

    Mobile virtual network operators hold 1% market share

    With over one million subscribers, the country’s three mobile virtual network operators, who piggyback on large telecom companies, have a market share of 1%.

    iTel, Reddi and Local do not have their own infrastructure or radio frequencies and instead pay to use VinaPhone, Viettel, MobiFone, Vietnamobile, or Gtel’s.

    iTel, which depends on VinaPhone’s infrastructure and frequencies, has one million subscribers, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications.

    It reported revenues of VND442 billion ($18.4 million) this year, 4.5 times the whole of last year’s, and profits of VND28 billion.

    Reddi, which has nearly 50,000 subscribers, saw sales of VND15 billion. It had losses of VND27.8 billion and VND55.9 billion in 2020 and 2021.

    Local, which launched its services in mid-2022, focuses on providing low-cost data packages, which are preferred by young people.

    In April Digilife Vietnam Digital Services Company received a mobile virtual network operator’s license but has yet to begin offering services.

    Such companies focus on attracting customers interested in large data packages at reasonable charges such as workers, students and foreign tourists.

    Vietnam had nearly 120 million mobile phone subscribers, including some 93.7 million using smartphones, according to the ministry.

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  • Mobile money service attracts 2.2 mln users

    Mobile money service attracts 2.2 mln users

    The mobile money service, which allows users to deposit, withdraw, pay or transfer money on mobile devices, has signed up nearly 2.2 million subscribers in eight months.

    Of the customers, 69% are from rural and mountainous areas, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications.

    The service are jointly offered on a trial basis by three leading telecommunications service providers Viettel, MobiFone and VinaPhone. Viettel has roughly 1.4 million mobile money users, VinaPhone, 700,000, and MobiFone, nearly 500,000.

    Viettel and VinaPhone customers can transfer money from Mobile Phone accounts to bank accounts and vice versa. In the past, they had to deposit or withdraw money at transaction offices or authorized agents of the mobile network operators.

    As of late September, Vietnam had nearly 120 million mobile phone subscribers, including some 93.7 million using smartphones, according to the ministry.

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  • Pay TV firm AVG appoints new CEO

    Pay TV firm AVG appoints new CEO

    Vu Minh Tri, former CEO of Microsoft Vietnam, is the new CEO of pay TV firm AVG. Tri, 49, replaces Mai Duy Long, also 49, who helmed AVG for nearly two years. Tri, who became the CEO of Sony Ericsson Vietnam in 2006, has since taking top positions in the Vietnam operations of Yahoo, Qualcomm and Microsoft.

    He is now the CEO of telecom firm Asim Group and two other companies.

    State-owned MobiFone, the country’s third largest telecommunications firm, had made headlines early in 2016 when it announced it was breaking into the pay TV market with the acquisition of a 95 percent stake in AVG.

    But government inspectors concluded that the deal had violated public investment laws and caused an estimated loss of about VND7 trillion ($307 million) to the state budget.

    In 2019, several senior officials implicated in the MobiFone case were arrested and sentenced to varying jail terms.

  • Mobifone names new chairman

    Mobifone names new chairman

    Telecom giant Mobifone has named Nguyen Hong Hien as its new chairman until 2027.

    Hien, 48, replaces Nguyen Manh Thang, who becomes a board member at the state-owned Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT).

    Prior to joining Mobifone, he was head of the technology and infrastructure department at the Commission for Management of State Capital at Enterprises, and worked at State Capital Investment Corporation from 2007.

    In 2021, Mobifone posted pre-tax profits of VND4.96 trillion ($213.8 million) on revenues of VND31 trillion.

    It expects revenues to slightly increase to VND31.36 trillion this year, but profits to drop to VND4.7 trillion.

  • Vietnam to begin 6G technology research and development

    Vietnam to begin 6G technology research and development

    Vietnam will start researching 6G wireless networks in 2022, says Information and Communications Minister Nguyen Manh Hung. Addressing a 2021 telecom review conference last weekend, Hung said Vietnam’s telecom industry should “be in the top group in terms of deploying 5G and developing 6G networks in the world.”

    He said Vietnam will carry out 6G research this year alongside nationwide deployment of the 5G network. According to the ministry Department of Telecommunications, a steering committee for 6G research development has been formed. Vietnam is one of the world’s first ten countries to set up this committee.

    Hung also set a target of 6G frequencies being licensed by 2028 before moving on to its commercial rollout.

    “Telecom networks must quickly transition to cloud-based and software-based architectures, so that the network becomes intelligent and flexible, and can be software-configured into numerous specialized sub-networks. Open RAN will be used as a technology for 5G, 6G development,” he said.

    Vietnamese companies should target to successfully research and manufacture 5G and 6G equipment, transmission equipment, and terminal equipment, he added.

    A representative of the department said that Vietnam will commercialize 5G this year and aim to have 25 percent of the population using the technology by 2025. He said 4G services currently cover 99.8 percent of the country.

    Three major telecom providers VNPT, MobiFone, and Viettel have been commercially trialing 5G services in 16 provinces and cities.

    6G technology is the next step after 5G that is being researched in a few countries including the U.S. and China.

    In theory, 6G could reach speeds of one terabit per second, it has been reported.

    The 6G network is expected to lay the groundwork for an “intelligent era” in which AI and robots become commonplace. However, no technical standards or frequencies for 6G have been agreed upon as yet.

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  • Viettel, MobiFone licensed to commercially test 5G

    Viettel, MobiFone licensed to commercially test 5G

    Telecom giants Viettel and Mobifone have received licenses to commercially test 5G broadcast in Vietnam’s two largest cities.

    Military-owned Viettel has been allowed to test in Hanoi with a maximum of 140 base transceiver stations while state company MobiFone can do so in Ho Chi Minh City with 50 stations.

    The tests will help the companies evaluate their technology and market size before beginning commercial operations.

    The companies need to follow cybersecurity safety and privacy regulations while running the tests, the ministry said.

    The first 5G phone call in the country was made on January 17 using equipment manufactured by Viettel, which has been conducting non-commercial tests and installing equipment since last year.

    The number of 5G subscriptions could hit 6.3 million by 2025 or 6 percent of total mobile subscriptions, technology conglomerate Cisco has forecast.

    5G is said to offer speeds 100 times faster than 4G and support new applications like remote medical procedures and autonomous driving.

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  • MobiFone offers customers free data, calls to make up for disruption

    MobiFone offers customers free data, calls to make up for disruption

    Telecom operator MobiFone has promised free data, calling, and text credit to customers affected by a network error lasting hours on Tuesday. It will offer 7.5 gigabytes of data for free to subscribers using smartphones and 1,000 minutes of calls in case of feature phones.

    On Tuesday many subscribers complained they were unable to make phone calls, send text messages or access the Internet from around 4.30 p.m. The issue was fixed the same evening. A spokesperson for the state-owned company said Wednesday it was still trying to determine how many subscribers were affected by the issue.

    Many people have expressed indignation that the problem occurred and the fact the operator was slow in notifying them about it. They were unable to contact the operator either during the disruption. In 2005, 2010, 2011, and 2016 too similar problems occurred.

    On December 6, 2018, many MobiFone subscribers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City were unable to connect to the Internet. MobiFone is the third-largest network operator in Vietnam behind Viettel and VNPT.

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  • Vietnam telcos ready to pilot mobile money

    Vietnam telcos ready to pilot mobile money

    Vietnamese operators MobiFone, VNPT and Viettel have all submitted proposals to participate in pilot mobile money services.

    Vietnam’s prime minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has directed the telecommunications ministry and the State Bank of Vietnam to develop a project that will allow operators to pilot mobile money services not linked to customers’ bank accounts.

    The three operators have submitted applications to launch mobile money services that will allow customers to transfer money using mobile phones, including Vietnam’s unbanked population.

    According to the report, the operators believe they have the capital, infrastructure and user base necessary to launch mobile money services and contribute to the development of non-cash payment in Vietnam.

    The market could represent a promising avenue for expansion for the operators – Vietnam’s fintech market is set to reach $8 billion in 2020, with digital payment solutions accounting for around 89% of the market. Meanwhile only around 40% of the population have bank accounts, but mobile penetration is well above 100%.

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  • Vietnamese network providers ready for 5G rollout

    Vietnamese network providers ready for 5G rollout

    Vietnamese telecom firms are seeking a head start in the 5G race as the country becomes an early adopter of the technology. State-owned Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) recently signed a deal with Finnish telecom firm Nokia to develop 5G solutions and technology for the Internet of Things. The three-year deal is worth $15 million.

    The country’s third largest mobile service provider is seeking permission from the Ministry of Information and Communications for its Vinaphone network to beta test 5G, chairman Tran Manh Hung said at a conference last month.

    He said the test would help VNPT master the technology and prepare to produce 5G equipment, adding Vinaphone is ready to provide 5G services as soon as it gets the ministry green light.

    Military-run Viettel Group has also announced it is ready to beta test 5G next year. Its deputy director, Tao Duc Thang, said its installation of infrastructure for 4G even in remote areas allows Viettel to be ready for the new network.

    5G is said to offer speeds 100 times faster than 4G, primarily used for smartphones and other similar devices. The former is also expected to support new applications like remote medical procedures and autonomous driving.

    Thang said Viettel, the country’s largest mobile service provider, is working with partners to manufacture 5G equipment.

    “I think Vietnamese operators are ready for 5G with the existing infrastructure. When the market, equipment and users are ready, developing 5G will be possible.”

    The company, which has been working on 5G plans since 2015, will start installing infrastructure early next year and introduce the service first in big cities like Hanoi and HCMC.

    The country’s second biggest mobile service provider, MobiFone, which trailed its competitors in deploying 4G, earlier this year signed an agreement with Samsung Electronics for engineering and commercial cooperation on 4G and 5G networks.

    Vietnamobile, a joint venture between Hanoi Telecom and Hongkong-based Hutchison Asia Telecommunications, has also announced its interest in offering 5G services.

    VNPT, Viettel, MobiFone, and Vietnamobile are expected to receive 5G testing licenses in January.

    Last month Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said at a conference that Vietnam should test 5G next year and ensure nationwide coverage by 2020.

    “Vietnam should be one of the first to launch the network, at least in Hanoi and HCMC.” The country had been one of the last in Southeast Asia to roll out 4G.

    This time Vietnam would be able to produce the required equipment before it launches the network, whereas for 4G the country had to wait for eight years before being able to do so, and for 2G and 3G all the equipment had to be imported, he said.

    “5G is not only an opportunity for connection services and going up the telecommunications ladder, but also an opportunity for developing the country’s information and communications technology industry.”

    The International Telecommunication Union last year ranked Vietnam 115th out of 193 economies in terms of mobile teledensity, but Hung wants the country to have 100 percent subscription by 2020 and be among top 30-50 countries in the world in data spending per capita.

    Vietnam’s telecom market was estimated at more than $16 billion in 2016, with the three state-owned providers, Viettel, MobiFone, and VNPT, accounting for 95 percent of the market.

    Viettel had the largest share with 46.7 percent, followed by MobiFone with 26.1 percent and VNPT with 22.2 percent.

    While MobiFone and VNPT are on the list of state-owned companies slated for privatization by 2020, Viettel will remain in government hands.

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  • MobiFone gets new CEO

    MobiFone gets new CEO

    MobiFone has named deputy general director Nguyen Dang Nguyen as its new CEO in place of the disgraced Cao Duy Hai.

    Hai, 57, was removed last Tuesday for his role in the illegal acquisition of a TV firm in 2016 by the Ministry of Information and Communications, which runs the corporation.

    Nguyen also remains deputy general director in charge of technology area.

    Hai has also been sacked from the company’s board after being found responsible for “serious violations” in the acquisition of private pay TV firm Audio Visual Global JSC (AVG).

    According to the Central Inspection Commission of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Hai had been personally involved in the acquisition and signed many documents in violation of laws to come up with a deal that caused a significant loss to the government.

    MobiFone had made headlines in 2016 when it announced it was breaking into the pay TV market with the acquisition of a 95 percent stake in AVG.

    But the Government Inspectorate concluded the deal, which had not been approved by the government, had violated investment laws and caused an estimated VND7 trillion ($307 million) loss to the government.

    In a report on the deal last March inspectors said MobiFone had committed multiple violations in proposing the deal and AVG’s valuation.

    The ministry and MobiFone were responsible for the serious violations of the laws in assessing, approving and going ahead with the deal, the inspectorate said.

    MobiFone’s after tax profit dropped 26 percent year-on-year to VND1.95 trillion ($86.6 million) in the first half of this year as revenues fell 8 percent to VND14.7 trillion ($653.3 million).

    But the country’s third largest telco has said with the new CEO taking over it expects to achieve the full year’s financial targets.

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  • MobiFone refunded after failed pay TV investment deal

    MobiFone refunded after failed pay TV investment deal

    The telecommunications giant has not repaid AVG investors. MobiFone has confirmed to authorities that it has been refunded in full from a private pay TV firm after the deal between these companies fell through.

    The state-run telecommunications giant said that a total of VND8.9 trillion ($390 million), equivalent to a 95 percent stake in Audio Visual Global JSC. (AVG), had been returned to the company on April 26.

    MobiFone has yet to return shares to AVG shareholders, and is now waiting for government inspectors to confirm the transfer before proceeding, the statement said.

    In early 2016, MobiFone announced that it was breaking into the pay TV market through the acquisition of a 95 percent stake in AVG, without revealing any information about the deal.

    After investigating the deal, the Government Inspectorate concluded that MobiFone’s deal to acquire AVG had violated investment laws and caused a loss of about VND7 trillion ($307 million) to the state.

    Multiple ministries, including the information ministry, were also found responsible for a number of wrongdoings relating to the deal.

    The canceled acquisition was brought up last week when Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said at a committee meeting that the government was determined to fight corruption without exception.

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