Vietnamese mobile network operator the Viettel Group was set to launch operations on Saturday, January 26, according to the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC). However, under the concession, Viettel was only contractually obliged to launch technical operations. So, Viettel did not kick off its commercial activities on Saturday, but the telecom operator noted that they will be launched shortly.
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Technical operations started in the cities of Huarochiri, Huaura, Chincha, Ica and Trujillo.
Viettel has tapped ZTE to deploy a 2G/3G wireless network in Peru. According to ZTE, the first phase of the project will include building more than 2,000 base stations.
In January 2011, the carrier won a license for the 1900 MHz frequency in Peru, becoming the fourth mobile operator in the country. Last April, the Viettel Group announced plans to invest about $400 million in Peru over the next 10 years.
In August, Viettel secured more spectrum in the 900 MHz band which cost a total of U.S.$48.43 million.
Dubbed Viettel Peru, the company’s local unit expects to penetrate the market with low prices. Viettel will compete with Telefónica, Nextel and Claro in the Peruvian market. The company aims to reach 338,000 subscribers by 2014.
Telefónica, under the brand Movistar, currently leads the Peruvian telecom market with a 51.5% market share.
