Viet Nam Posts and Telecommunications (VNPT) Group for the expansion of the Vinaphone GSM network across 12 Northern provinces in Viet Nam in a signing ceremony held in Washington.

Dr. Ray Owen, general director of Motorola Viet Nam and Dr. Hoang Trung Hai, chief executive officer of Vinaphone signed the contracts in an official signing ceremony, marking yet another milestone in the collaboration between Motorola and VNPT, which started more than 12 years ago and signifies the close cooperation between the United States and Viet Nam.

Under the agreements, more than 1,000 cell sites will be deployed in northern Viet Nam. Motorola will deliver its leading GSM infrastructure and solutions as well as a range of comprehensive services, including network optimization, operations and maintenance, to expand the cellular network and mobile services of Vinaphone, a subsidiary of VNPT, in suburban and rural areas of the country. It is Motorola’s second GSM network expansion project with VNPT in six months. Shipment of the equipment will begin in Q3 2008 and the project is expected to be completed in 2009.

“Motorola is committed to provide leading communications technology to meet the growing demand of Vinaphone in providing high quality and reliable voice and data communications services to subscribers,” said Ray Owen, general director of Motorola Viet Nam.

“The contracts with Vinaphone reinforce Motorola’s leadership and commitment in the GSM market and our long-term collaboration with Vinaphone allows the two companies to share knowledge and experiences in delivering best-in-class mobile network and services to users in Viet Nam and support the country’s economic growth,” he said.

Dr. Hoang Trung Hai, chief executive officer of Vinaphone said: “Motorola is an industry leader and we are pleased to work with them in GSM network deployment. The contracts aim to expand our GSM network deployed in the northern provinces of Viet Nam last year. It will enable us to provide better coverage, capacity and user experience in rural and suburban areas.”

In December 2007, Motorola and Vinaphone signed contracts to expand and enhance Vinaphone’s GSM network in Viet Nam’s major cities, including Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City. Besides GSM networks, the two companies are also cooperating in expanding GPRS coverage and providing EDGE services in Viet Nam.

Vinaphone currently provides coverage in 64 provinces and cities in Viet Nam and has links with mobile operators in more than 60 countries and governed territories.

About Vinaphone
A subsidiary company of Viet Nam Posts and Telecommunications Group, Vinaphone was officially established on June 26, 1996 as a nationwide mobile phone network using next generation and modern GSM technology, with an eye towards creating healthy competition in Viet Nam's mobile communication market. By the end of 2000, Vinaphone had completed its coverage of nearly all residential areas, industrial zones, highways, tourism spots, and border-gates throughout the country. Many popular new services such as prepaid mobile phone service and international roaming have been launched.