Vietnam wants to triple Internet access by 2010
HANOI - Vietnam has set a target of making Internet access available to 35 percent of its population by 2010, a telecom official said.
"We want more and more people to access the Internet. It's an ambitious plan but we will do our best to realize it," said the official from the post and telematics ministry, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Vietnam now has about 10 million Internet users, or nearly 12 percent of the communist nation's 82 million people.
Under the plan, approved by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai earlier in February, the sector needs up to 100.5 trillion dong (6.3 billion dollars) in investment from domestic and foreign sources by 2010.
The money will be used to promote fixed and mobile phone networks, Internet use and telecom development in rural areas.
Vietnam's telecom sector, one of the fastest growing in the world, also expects to earn 55 trillion dong (3.5 billion dollars) from Internet and telecom services during that period.
The sector has witnessed major changes in the last few years and is expected to face intense pressure to modernise when Vietnam gains entry to the World Trade Organisation.
Agence France Presse - February 17, 2006.
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