Subscribers can use the 4G services for the same price as 3G for services like mobile TV, mobile broadcast and cloud video conferencing. — Photo tinhte.vn

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — VNPT-VinaPhone on January 18 began commercial testing of 4G mobile internet services in Phu Quoc Island and HCM City.

Subscribers can use the 4G services for the same price as 3G for services like mobile TV, mobile broadcast and cloud video conferencing.

Viettel was the first network to pilot 4G services in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau last December though users could only experience them at Viettel's customer service points.

On the first day, VinaPhone gave away free 4G sim cards to subscribers at six customer service points.

A company official said the average speed of 4G would be 10-20 times faster than 3G.

Another official said that after VinaPhone gets permission it would build 4G base transceiver stations in major cities like Ha Noi, HCM City, Da Nang, and Can Tho, and in provinces where it has a large market share such as Ca Mau, Bac Lieu, and Nam Dinh.

4G refers to the fourth generation of mobile data transmitting technology, which offers speeds of up to 1.5 gigabits per second, several hundred times faster than 3G.

Vietnamese network providers have launched 4G pilot programmes following a rapid increase in the number of subscribers.

They will be allowed to provide 4G commercially from next year, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications.—VNS