FPT Telecom keeps strong leadership in wireless internet

With 5,000 WiFi connections free in Hanoi and HoChiMinh cities, FPT Telecom kicks off competitions of wireless internet providers in Vietnam . The wi- fi city project is totaled at USD 1.5 million investments with aim to create a large users community and revenues from internet and mobile based value-added services.

The service was put into commercial launch from July 2007, and six months later WIFI service has been covered in almost banks, hotels and restaurants in the two big cities. For the time being, FPT Telecom deployed 2,800 internet connection points free in HoChiMinh city and 2,200 points in Hanoi city, respectively.

On average, the WiFi connection speed is about 4Mgbit/second; one port serves 20 connections at the same time and about 30,000 WiFi users everyday.

Currently, FPT Telecom Company is seen as the first company in the area, therefore with the taking lead, FPT Telecom Company would surpass other competitors such as VNPT, Viettel and EVN.

WiFi service is likely to be the most lucrative business in the coming year as the market is very potential. GFK Market Research Company says the total number of laptops consumption in Vietnam in 2006 was about 2006 110,000 ones, doubling those in 2005, mainly in Hanoi and HoChiMinh cities. It is expected that in 2007, the amount of laptops on market sales in Vietnam would be 200,000 ones; the growth rate is approximately 100%.

Also, GFK says in 2009 the number of consumed laptops would be 440,000 ones, laptops and desktops price will be bridged so consumers will afford and prefer laptops. Furth ermore, wireless mobile phone connection is also wide spreading such as Nokia series – the most integrated multi-media and WiFi connection device.

Besides connection services, FPT Telecom company will further other WiFi value-added services such as VoIP - internet telephony via mobile phone. WiFi handsets with SIPSoft standards can get connection via WiFi to VoIP of provider for calling numbers in the same network and/or other networks. These types of handsets connect WiFi will be able to make outgoing calls like dual SIM Cards handsets, in which one SIM Card uses GSM operator and the other is VoIP on WiFi.

Furthermore, WiFi mobile devices del ivered by FPT Telecom Company will use other utilities such as film, music, newspaper, stock information, exchange rate at website: www.pda.vn – the portal for devices designed by FPT Telecom which has screen compatible with PDAs’ and mobile phones’ screens. FPT Telecom revealed such services will be delivered in package. /