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Ministry to use new method to count mobile subscribers
The Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) will apply a new method to calculate the number of subscribers to mobile networks in Vietnam to put an end to the vague situation in which all networks see themselves as being the top in the market.
Though the ministry set rules for calculating the number of subscribers, mobile networks continue to proclaim themselves as being the number-one in the market. On June 3, 2008, the MoIC announced its official statistics of subscribers and service quality of mobile networks in Vietnam.
According to the MoIC’s results, Viettel had the highest number of users, followed by MobiFone and VinaPhone. However, after a short quiet time, the competition for the top position has been burnt again.
Statistics by mobile networks show that Vietnam currently has nearly 80 million mobile subscribers, including over 26 million with Viettel, a similar number for MobiFone, over 20 million for VinaPhone and 6 million for S-Fone.
In accordance with these figures, nearly 100% of the population is using mobile phones. Yet, even mobile service providers admit that it is impossible that up to 80 million Vietnamese people are mobile subscribers. Officials from at least two networks said the real number of subscribers is around 40 million.
In a recent meeting to discuss measures to control pre-paid mobile subscribers, Deputy Minister Le Nam Thang said that a new method for counting real subscribers is needed.
Thang said the current way to calculate the number of users is inaccurate because some mobile service agents activated simcards, not the real users. Meanwhile, one is considered a subscriber when the number is available for receiving calls, making calls or both. Thus, an activated but not used simcard can be counted as a subscriber.
Moreover, mobile networks have launched a lot of promotional campaigns, providing big bonuses to new subscribers. But these subscribers would stop using the service once their account is empty, while the number is still available for a long time. So even when subscribers do not use these numbers any more, they are still counted as real subscribers.
Thang said the new method to count real subscribers may include a new condition, under which subscribers must make at least one call or receive at least one call within three months. Before applying this method, the Ministry will ask telecom companies to report their numbers of subscribers.
All mobile networks agree with the MoIC’s plan. The Deputy Director of Viettel Telecom, Bui Quang Tuyen, said many mobile networks in the world are using this calculation method and Viettel supports the new plan.
A representative of MobiFone said MoIC should see the numbers of subscribers who make or receive at least one call within one month, not three months, as real users.
The representatives of both networks said once the MoIC announces the statistics of subscribers based on this method, it will be a “shock” because the numbers will be much further below the figures that mobile networks currently report.
The MoIC has granted around 140 million numbers for mobile networks and only networks that use 70% of the granted numbers will be granted new numbers.
ICTnews
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