Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has licensed CMC Telecom Infrastructure (CMC TI), a subsidiary of Vietnam-based CMC Group, to build a fixed line network for the provision of internet services, according to VietNamNet Bridge. CMC TI has become the eleventh company licensed to set up a telecom network and provide internet services in Vietnam, while there are 60 other companies supplying internet services in the country without network facilities. Although CMC TI is not yet permitted to offer fixed line telephony, the firm plans to ask the MIC for a licence to offer VoIP, fixed phone services and to develop domestic and international transmission lines.
According to TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate, the government gave CMC TI permission to become the country’s second privately-owned company to provide internet services in February 2009, paving the way for the MIC to grant it a licence. The telco was formed in September 2008 by the State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC), which holds 51% in the company, and CMC Telecom. A representative of CMC TI said the company plans to provide internet services from early 2010.