3G examination – a vital chance

All seven mobile networks eligible for attending the exam to get the 3G mobile technology license are busy preparing; the test is scheduled for May 2008.

The Ministry of Information and Communications announced it will organize an open three-day exam to select which networks are most capable; those networks will then be granted the first 3G licenses in May 2008. To participate in the exam, contestants must have a 2G license. All six operating mobile networks (MobiFone, Vinaphone, Viettel Mobile, S-Fone, EVN Telecom, and HT Mobile), plus the new comer GTel, meet this condition. Meanwhile, the Ministry will grant just four licenses.

All worry

In theory, the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) and Viettel are the biggest competitors. However, both are worried.

“We are confident in our ability, but this is an exam. VNPT can fail this exam only through a simple mistake,” said a senior official of VNPT recently.

In a recent meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, the Ministry of Information and Communications reported that other firms are asking for licenses for mobile services. The Ministry confirmed that the frequency for 2G is out, only frequency for 3G is available.

In this fierce race, all mobile service providers say they are determined to earn the license. Big competitors say they wish there was an open and public exam. Experts say it is difficult to find out the exam results and big and strong competitors may not get a 3G license.

How will be the exam?

An official from the Ministry of Information and Communications said the Ministry is preparing for the exam, and around 200 standards will be set to choose the winner. However, the Ministry hasn’t yet defined what those standards will be.

“This is the first exam for 3G so we have to learn experience from other countries to choose the best service providers. The Ministry of Information and Communications will send these standards to businesses for comments. After that we will compile the official examination contents. The Ministry will deliver exam documents in March 2008. Competitors will have two months to complete the exam documents. The Ministry will consider the exam documents in May and it will grant 3G licenses in the second quarter,” said a senior official of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, 3G license winners will be granted 15 MHz of FDD band and 4 MHz of TDD band. However, after being granted the 3G license, any provider that doesn’t provide 3G services will be fined and potentially have their 3G license revoked.

(Source: BDVN)