Startec Invades Vietnamese Cyberspace
BETHESDA - Startec Global Communications Corp., a growing provider of voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP)
services to emerging economies, today unveiled an agreement to provide a full array of IP services to Vietnam's
state-controlled Saigon Postel Corp. Startec said it is one of Saigon Postel's first foreign partners.
Startec said its agreement with the Saigon Postel is the latest example of its focus on early entry into emerging markets with
advanced technology, "a strategy that strongly distinguishes the company from traditional long-distance carriers," Startec
officials said.
"Because these markets are regulated and not well understood by many in the industry, few carriers are attempting to enter
them, notwithstanding the potential for substantial gross margins," Startec Chief Executive Officer Ram Mukunda said in a
statement. "As commerce continues to develop in these countries, the demand for IP services such as virtual private networks,
Web hosting and other IP solutions will significantly expand."
According to the communist nation's state-run Saigon Times Daily, the number of telephone lines in Vietnam increases an
estimated 18,000 to 20,000 each week.
And that kind of growth is emblematic of why Startec is targeting emerging economies, regardless of a country's international
political status, a company spokesperson told Washtech. Even though countries such as Vietnam try to censor online content,
the spokesperson said he has personally watched Web surfers in restricted countries such as China still readily download
unobstructed Western news portals.
On Monday, Startec said it expanded its reach into more emerging economies by inking eight agreements with partners
operating in Eastern Europe and Asia. These new partners have chosen Startec to provide IP-based services including VoIP in
Russia, Estonia, former-Soviet Union state Georgia and South Korea, among other countries.
Startec's network of international gateway and domestic switches, IP gateways and ownership in 15 undersea fiber optic cables
also provides IP-based voice, data and video service to major long-distance carriers, Internet service providers and various
portals. "EStart," Startec's online brand for a series of ethnic virtual communities, also offers bundled services, e-commerce and
other enhanced IP-based services to residential and business customers.
With more than 85 gateways deployed in more than 43 countries, the Bethesda, Md.-based company's VoIP revenue of $18.6
million in the second quarter makes it one of the two major VoIP carriers in the world, according to Startec.
By Michael P Bruno - Washtech. - October 6, 2000.
|