2007: 3G and WiMAX services will be offered in Vietnam

This year, telecom businesses will officially deploy 3G and Wimax technologies; at the same time offering, seeking customers' needs to use these two services.

According to the Ministry of Posts and Telematics, in 2007, enterprises will be licensed with 3G and Wimax services. Currently, the process of applying for permission to deploy two technologies is being submitted to the Prime Minister.

Regarding 3G, currently, all six mobile service providers are competing for service licenses (with a maximum limit of 4 licenses). S-Fone has deployed the first services of EV-DO technology for CDMA handsets. MobiFone is planning to develop 3G technology in parallel with 2G and 2.5G networks. Viettel will deploy 3G in the direction of WCDMA.

According to information from EVN Telecom, the 096 network is planning to deploy 3G network at 450 MHz frequency. HT Mobile deployed 3G with CDMA 2000 1X EV-DO network, providing customers with high-speed multimedia data services, including the provision of a broadband connection that allows video calls to be made from PC to PC.

At the same time, VinaPhone network will carry out services in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang at the end of this year based on EDGE technology, allowing high-speed data transmission when using multimedia services such as news. SMS, download music, manage e-mail, Internet services and Intranet intranet.

For Wimax technology, among 4 enterprises allowed to test, VDC is providing Wimax testing in Lao Cai. VTC Multimedia Corporation is testing Wimax with 802.16d standard in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

FPT Telecom will provide both Mobile WiMax and Fix WiMax, while Viettel Internet will test Mobile WiMax technology because fixed WiMax technology has had many businesses successfully tested.

Hoang Hung