Viettel Group yesterday launched its mobile network in Peru and became the first mobile operator in the country that provides 3G network service alone. — Photo huaral.pe

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — Viettel Group yesterday launched its mobile network in Peru and became the first mobile operator in the country that provides 3G network service alone.

Viettel, Viet Nam's largest mobile carrier in terms of the number of subscribers, said the network, under the trademark Bitel, would cover 80 per cent of Peru's territory.

Bitel Chief Executive Officer Hoang Quoc Quyen said the company would be focusing on 3G, or mobile internet service, as the 2G or basic mobile service market in Peru was already saturated.

"Mobile internet is the future of telecommunications, and we believe that it will be a great opportunity for us here," Quyen added.

Peru is also the first Viettel overseas market with a gross domestic product that is three times higher than that of Viet Nam.

With a nationwide coverage of 3G network and distribution channels, Bitel has attracted more than 200,000 mobile subscribers in Peru before the service was launched yesterday.

Viettel has expanded its presence in seven countries with 68 million customers, including Cambodia, Laos and Timor, as well as Haiti, Mozambique, Peru and Cameroon.

Total revenue from Viettel's overseas business in 2013 reached almost US$8 billion. The company is now building mobile networks in Burundi and Tanzania. — VNS