VietNamNet – Vietnam has become the leading country in implementing the Emerging Market Handset (EMH) Programme initiated by the Global System Mobile Association (GSMA) along with the appearance of low-cost mobile phones this February.

Motorola, chosen by GSMA as the main provider of handsets to the developing countries, has been cooperating with VinaPhone and FPT Mobile to distribute low-cost phones. A C113 handset with a prepaid VND100,000 card is priced at VND750,000 ($50), and a C113a at VND850,000 ($56.6).

Unofficial statistics showed that only 6mil out of the 85mil of people in Vietnam, or 7% of the population can access mobile services, while the figure is 50-70% in other countries in the region. One of the main reasons behind the situation is the high prices of handsets in Vietnam compared to the average income per capita.

Pham Quang Hao, Deputy Director General of VinaPhone said that the main clients of the programme ‘connecting unconnected people’ are the consumers in remote areas, therefore, VinaPhone is trying to utilise its network with the largest coverage to accelerate the programme in Vietnam.

EMH Programme is also being carried out in other developing nations including India, South Africa, Egypt, the Philippines and Indonesia.

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