While customers of all mobile networks complain about slow 3G services, network operators say their 3G network capacity is large and speed is sufficient. — Photo ictnews.vn

HÀ NỘI  — While customers of all mobile networks complain about slow 3G services, network operators say their 3G network capacity is large and speed is sufficient.

A report on Vietnamese 3G service users’ behavior released by ICT news online and GfK Việt Nam shows that 57 per cent of users want network operators to improve transmission speed, 18 per cent propose that network operators ensure greater stability, 16 per cent want an extension of coverage and 15 per cent suggest reducing the service fee. The survey was conducted several months ago among users in Hà Nội, HCM City and Đà Nẵng.

The Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) last year issued an "ultimatum" to mobile network operators to upgrade their services after clients complained about the bad quality of 3G.

Network operators said they had been upgrading the networks and that the service quality was stable. In late 2015, the Việt Nam Post and Telecommunication Group (VNPT) announced that it had the most extensive 3G coverage in Việt Nam after it installed 11,000 3G-transceiver stations, including 7,000 stations with a 900Mhz frequency.

VinaPhone is now the only network which successfully deploys 3G technology with 900Mhz frequency in all 63 cities and provinces. With 3G 900, VinaPhone’s 3G entire coverage is equivalent to 33,000 3G 2100Mhz stations. As such, VinaPhone has expanded its coverage area by 2.5 times compared to 2014.

Meanwhile, by early 2015, Viettel had 29,000 3G-transceiver stations, becoming the network with the most 3G stations covering remote and mountainous areas. Viettel is the only network operator which spends money to develop 2G, 3G and 4G technologies, while other operators have stopped investing in 2G.

All network operators say their clients only use 40 per cent of its 3G capacity but were dissatisfied because 40-60 per cent of them use the VNĐ70,000 service package with 600Mb of 3G data. When clients use up the package, they are informed by text messages but most ignore them, thinking they are spam.

In a new service package for VNĐ70,000 clients can use 1.6GB Mb of 3G data on high-speed Internet. However, they are not allowed to use the service after using up the capacity provided. They are offered preferential prices if they continue to purchase this package, enabling them to control their expenses and get better quality service of 3G data, said Tú.

Bùi Sơn Nam of MobiFone said with the new package, clients still spend VNĐ70,000 per month but get more. — VNS