VietNamNet Bridge – Here are nine events and main tendencies of the information and communication technology (ICT) for 2007 forecast by the HCM City Computing Association (HCA) and HCM City ICT Reporters’ Club.

Domestic and foreign businesses, managers, trainers, consultants and ICT reporters have sent 98 opinions, selecting 47 phenomena and forecasting tendencies which will be seen in 2007.

HCA and the reporters’ club have ranked the events in the order of descending votes as follows:

Foreign investment in ICT will see strong increases

Many international groups will come to Vietnam to set production bases instead of simply selling their products as previously seen. It is expected IBM will decide to make an investment in the HCM City high-tech zone to follow Intel’s move in 2006.

E-commerce booming

The market for added value services on the Internet will see a very high growth rate in 2007 (200% and higher), including online trading, online games and online film and music. Many online trading companies will be established, and at the same time, the software solutions in e-commerce will also be made. The banking online transactions will be carried out in this year.

3G technology will be utilized

Mobile service providers will focus on the technology development, considering technology the key factor that helps them survive the fierce competition among service providers. The number of mobile phone subscribers will increase sharply,and 3G technology especially will attract more customers. In the second half of 2007, Mobile TV, a new service for both GSM and CDMA, will be utilized. A series of records will be broken in mobile networks.

ICT will draw special attention in stock markets

Network connection on the stock market will see further troubles, prompting market developers to make appropriate investment in ICT. This will help Vietnam successfully build up an effective information system of regional stature for the stock market management. At least, five ICT companies more will list their shares on the bourse.

Percentage of copyrighted and open source software use will rise

Microsoft will strengthen the control over the copyright infringement in Vietnam. Many businesses will face inspection. Therefore, open source software will be used more widely among businesses.

Wimax services will develop in HCM City and Hanoi

Following the providing of Wimax services in the trial basis in 2006, Internet service providers will begin make heavy investments to provide the service in 2007. There will be the stiff competition among service providers.

Network security will receive special attention

A lot of websites will be hacked, especially the ones managed by state owned agencies. The network security, therefore, will receive special attention. The market will see a boom in the services for ensuring network security.

Online dialogues will occur more regularly

State management authorities, ministries and the government will have open dialogues with people and people will also make more contacts with management authorities via this channel.

Labour force for ICT will be seriously lacking

The labour force will remain the unsettled problem of the ICT industry. The increase of ICT businesses and the demand for computerizing in the national economy will require more employees.

(Source: Tuoi tre)