Globally, 3G technology is considered a major breakthrough in the mobile communications industry because it offers broader bandwidth, allowing network operators to provide customers with a range of new services, including both voice and data applications. During a live online press interview, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Lê Nam Thắng stated: “3G technology has been deployed worldwide since 2000. Today, hundreds of operators and millions of users around the world are utilizing services based on this technology.”

In Vietnam, for several years, telecommunications regulators and service providers have anticipated that 3G would be the inevitable trend in mobile information technology. As a result, investment and network development strategies have been guided with 3G readiness in mind. Through the licensing evaluation process for 3G deployment, regulators ensure that four operators with the strongest network infrastructure, financial capacity, and business plans are selected to provide the highest quality services to customers.

According to Mr. Bùi Thiện Minh, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), the 3G licensing selection process was conducted objectively and accurately based on clear and specific criteria to ensure that only deserving enterprises were chosen. Dr. Nguyễn Hoàn Thành from Thành & Associates Law Office shared this view, noting that “3G requires large investment, so the Ministry of Information and Communications set criteria to select companies with strong financial capacity and infrastructure investment potential.”

As a result, all companies made their best efforts to demonstrate their capabilities. For example, Vinaphone partnered with NTT DoCoMo—a global leader in 3G network provision with extensive experience in network management and service operations—to consult and prepare its application. Vinaphone proved its capacity to invest in a 15-year 3G infrastructure development plan worth USD 1 billion, with a commitment to the fastest deployment, widest coverage (including remote areas), an effective sales system, competitive pricing, and a strong business plan. With a team of experts and staff boasting over a decade of experience in managing and operating one of Vietnam’s leading mobile networks, Vinaphone demonstrated its readiness to adopt new technologies. Its application was evaluated as a scientifically sound proposal for establishing, managing, operating, and commercializing 3G networks and services. Initial reports show that Vinaphone ranked among the top two in total investment and deposit amount in the 3G licensing selection process.

These enterprises, confident in their genuine capacity aligned with the Ministry’s criteria, are ready to provide 3G-based services to tens of millions of customers upon receiving licenses—affirming Vietnam's integration with global mobile technology development.

3G – A Technological Breakthrough

Dr. Nguyễn Văn Yên, Head of the 3G Department at Vinaphone, explained that 3G creates broadband infrastructure—like a digital expressway—enabling the development of more advanced and convenient value-added services. Service categories related to communications, entertainment content, e-transactions, social information, navigation, and personal assistance will see significant breakthroughs with the rollout of 3G.

For instance, Vinaphone plans to offer video call services, allowing callers and recipients to see each other in real time on their mobile devices. Customers will also enjoy high-quality, uninterrupted mobile movie streaming, with superior image and sound quality compared to current methods of downloading and watching via mobile internet.

Vinaphone is also committed to offering fast messaging services (mobile chat) that allow users to send and receive real-time messages without needing a computer or internet connection. Mobile advertising is another new value-added service, enabling text or multimedia message ads to be sent to subscribers based on selected timeframes and customer preferences.

To ensure affordable access to advanced services for the general population, Vinaphone has been investing in 3G infrastructure for years. Compared to upgrading 2G or 2.5G networks periodically, investing in 3G proves more cost-efficient in the long term. Furthermore, 3G does not limit subscriber growth or the availability of value-added services, which are often more modern yet no more expensive than those on 2G/2.5G networks.

In fact, the advantages of 3G technology allow for more efficient use of network resources for content services, reducing bandwidth consumption while enhancing service quality (with broader bandwidth, higher speed, and better overall service indicators). It also enables Vinaphone to offer services that were previously unfeasible on 2G/2.5G networks.

In Vietnam, although 3G licenses are still in the final approval stages, terminal device manufacturers have already introduced a significant number of 3G-capable devices into the market. Therefore, when 3G officially launches in Vietnam, there will already be a substantial base of users equipped to access the service. Vinaphone has also planned partnerships with terminal equipment manufacturers to provide bundled service packages tailored to budget-conscious consumers.