Telephone subscribers in Vietnam on rise
HANOI - More than 500,000 people in Vietnam have
registered for telephone services since the beginning of thisyear, bringing the total
number of telephone subscribers across the country to 4.7 million, or an average of
5.87 telephones for every 100 people.
Vietnam is now ranked second in the world with regard to speed of telephone
development with an increase of 34 times in the 10 years from 1991 to 2001,
according to a report of Vietnam News Agency on Wednesday.
In Vietnam, about 90 percent of communes now have access to telephone
services, and more than 60 percent of them have postal-cultural centers to provide
postal and telecommunication services as well as books and newspapers for local
residents to read free of charge.
In addition to telephone services, Vietnam has also developed Internet services.
Since 1997, more than 200,000 entities have registered for Internet services.
The Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Corporation (VNPT) has set a target of
providing all communes and villages throughout thecountry with telephone services
as well as radio and television coverage by 2005.
Also by 2005, the VNPT will strive for an average of 10 telephones for every 100
people and an increase of Internet subscribers to between 1-1.2 million.
To this end, the VNPT will press ahead with its strategy to expand optical fiber
cable networks as well as to upgrade its transmission lines and switchboard systems.
Vietnam's first satellite called Vinasat will be launched in 2004 to help increase the
coverage and quality of its telecommunication services.
Xinhuanet - July 03, 2002.
|