News - Only 20% of Vietnam’s population own mobile phones

VietNamNet Bridge – The Petroleum Services and Tourism Company (PetroSetco) on May 28 signed a framework contract with Nokia to become its official distributor in Vietnam.

PetroSetco Director Nguyen Huu Thanh said that the company would develop a professional mobile phone distribution network covering both rural and urban areas before Vietnam opened its distribution market in 2009 under its WTO commitments.

According to Mauro Montanaro, Business Manager of Nokia in Asia-Pacific, Vietnam is one of the markets with the greatest potential for Nokia in Southeast Asia.

“Mobile phone users account for around 20% of Vietnam’s population only compared to over 50% in other Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and the Philippines. In Singapore, this ratio is even higher than its population. So up to 80% of the market has not been exploited yet,” he said.

To become Nokia’s partner, PetroSetco has established a subsidiary, PV Telecom, to distribute Nokia products. The firm aims to cover the markets of Hanoi, HCM City and rural areas. Besides Hanoi and HCM City, PV Telecom has opened branches in Hai Phong, Da Nang, Buon Ma Thuot, Nha Trang and Can Tho.

The mobile phone distribution market has long been ruled by big companies. With the participation of PV Telecom, this market is forecast to be much more fiercely competitive.

Viet Nam Net