Vietnam-based telecoms operator Viettel has announced plans to invest USD 1 billion in their newly approved Tanzanian 3G mobile phone network.
Earlier this month, the government of Tanzania announced that it had granted a license to Viettel, which will offer low-cost smartphones and free internet services to schools and hospitals.
Over the past few years, the Vietnam telecom company has been working to expand its international operations, with 3G operations launching in Peru a few weeks ago.
“Viettel will invest USD 1 billion in telecoms and other services in Tanzania, hence making Tanzania the second country after Peru to receive its state-of-the-art telecoms technology,” said Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete in a statement released following a recent visit to the company’s headquarters in Vietnam.
Viettel will join the four leading mobile networks in Tanzania, which include Bharti Airtel, Etisalat’s Zantel, Vodacom and Millicom’s Tigo as well as several other smaller mobile networks.
