The fifth-generation (5G) technology, the next-generation of mobile network, is an opportunity for Vietnam to leapfrog to become one the world’s leading information and communication (ICT) countries, according to Nguyen Manh Hung, minister of Information and Communications (MIC).
Nguyen Manh Hung, minister of Information and Communications (MIC).
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Hung referred to the fact that by adopting 2G wireless communication technology only three years after its introduction in 1990, Vietnam was ranked among world’s top 20 ICT countries.
However, Vietnam lagged 10 years behind the world in 3G implementation when the technology was adopted in 2000. The slow implementation of the 4G network placed Vietnam in the 100th position globally in terms of ICT development.
According to the International Telecommunication Union, Vietnam ranked 115 out of 193 countries and territories on mobile-broadband subscriptions.
Hung also stressed that Vietnam will be able to produce network devices by 2020. Currently, all 2G and 3G network devices are imported. The MIC would encourage Vietnamese IT companies to develop telecommunication devices, so that for the country’s mobile network to be operated based on Vietnamese devices and systems.
Vietnam’s telecommunication market is in need of new growth engine for further development, for which the 5G network, along with other 4.0 technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT) would transform the sector, Hung stressed.
Susie Armstrong, Qualcomm’s senior vice president of Engineering, said Vietnam would need new policies to become one of the first emerging markets launching the 5G ecosystem by 2020.
Hung was formerly chairman of military-run telecom group Viettel before being appointed as the Minister of Information and Communications.
He went through several ranks of Viettel before becoming the chairman and CEO of the telco, for which he is highly regarded as the architect behind Viettel's success story.
At a meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on June 26, Hung informed the group has become one of the world's top 15 largest telecommunications companies with 100 million subscribers globally.
With an annual growth of 10-15% by 2020, Viettel set revenue target of VND350 trillion-VND400 trillion (US$15.4-US$17.6 billion USD), pre-tax profit of VND50-55 trillion (US$2.18 - 2.4 billion) and becoming one of the top 10 telecom firms in the world, stated Hung at the meeting.
