Socialist Republic of Vietnam

VietNamNet – An 80Gbps optical cable route linking north and south should be operational by March 2008, according to the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Corporation (VNPT).

The corporation also plans to install two optical cables linking Vietnam – Hong Kong – Singapore, and Vietnam – Hong Kong.

The Vietnam Telecom International Company (VTI), a member of VNPT, currently manages international optical cable lines which terminate in Vietnam, including T-V-H, SEA-ME-WE 3 and CSC, and several for which Vietnam is a linking station, such as APC, APCN, RJK, and China-US.

Vietnam is linked to the world’s largest optical cable networks, which connect over 240 countries. The T-V-H, CSC and SEA-ME-WE 3 routes, alongside satellite systems, now provide over 5,000 information channels with capacity of more than 8,000Mbps, satisfying the needs for communication and social-economic development of Vietnam.

Experts predict that international telephony will continue to be VNPT’s main breadwinner in future. The corporation will work to maintain its market share in these services, which is presently more than 60%. Expansion of added value services like HCD, collect calling and roaming services with foreign partners are just some of VNPT’s ambitions.

The development and provision of international private leased circuits (IPLC) with diverse data transmission services such as X.25, Frame Relay, Internet, Leased IP and VPN, will be a focus for VNPT, since the need for high-speed private leased lines is expected to increase exponentially in the next few years. The appearance of new enterprises providing international telecommunications services, particularly VoIP and IXP, spell more competition for VNPT.

To meet demand, VNPT is planning to lay a new north-south optical cable route with capacity of up to 80Gbps, using DWDM technology. The line should be linked and operational in March 2008.

Currently VTI has two submarine optical cable routes, the T-V-H linking Thailand – Vietnam – Hong Kong, and the SEA-ME-WE 3 that connects Europe and Asia. VNPT will continue pursuing participation in the laying of two seabed optical cables linking Vietnam – Hong Kong – Singapore, and Vietnam – Hong Kong, both of which will run ashore in Da Nang.

Plans are also being drawn up for the laying of international seabed optical cables (SEA-ME-WE 4), which will run from Singapore to France, through Vietnam.

Plans for international optical cable routes 2004-2015

The T-V-H route, put into operation in 1995: usage capacity for 2004 estimated at 84%, 86% for 2005 and 88% from 2006 to 2015.

For the CSC route: usage capacity in 2004 at 26%, 58% in 2005, 70% in 2006, 87% in 2007, and 100% in 2008.

SEA-ME-WE 3 line: 15% in 2004, 73% in 2005 and 100% in 2006.

TPC-5 route: 63% for 2004, 66% for 2005, 73% for 2006, 77% for 2007 and 98% from 2008 to 2015.

CHINA-US: ran to 100% in 2004.

APCN: 46% for 2004 and 2005, 47% for 2006, 48% for 2007 and 49% from 2008 to 2015.