VietNamNet Bridge – The Viet Nam Post and Telematics Group (VNPT) announced that it will cut fixed line phones by 15-20% starting June 1.

Charges applied to its post-paid service will he VND100 for the first six seconds on intra-regionaI calls and VND120 for inter-regional calls.

Charges for the group's 171 service will be VND84 and VND110 for intra and inter regional dialling respectively.

There are three regions in Vietnam: the northern, central and southern.

For calls made from a telephone booth service, customers will pay VND100 for the first six seconds for intra-regional calls and VND200 for the first ten seconds inter-regional calls.

The 171 service for booths will be VND100 for the first seven seconds on intra-regional dialling and VND200 for the first twelve seconds on inter-regional.

VNPT opens US branch

In related news, VNPT has officially opened a branch in San Francisco.

"The opening of the United States branch, following the company's ventures in Asia, is part of VNPT's efforts to expand its operations globally," says company Deputy General Director Lam Hoang Vinh.

"The branch will focus on trade and investment promotion activities, and mapping out plans for expanding VNPT services in the US and its neighbouring markets."

Mark Chester, director of San Francisco Mayor's Office of International Trade and Commerce, says municipal authorities will facilitate VNPT's operations as well as those of other Vietnamese businesses.

VNPT is the second largest Vietnamese company to open a branch in the US after Vietnam Airlines, say authorities.

The opening ceremony hosted local and US government officials, the US-Viet Nam Business Association and various US companies, including AT&T, Verizon, Motorola, and Merrill Lynch.

(Source: Viet Nam News)