MobiFone Overview
MobiFone (Vietnam Mobile Telecom Service Company, VMS) is the second-largest mobile operator in Vietnam and also the first mobile network operator in the country. MobiFone was established on April 16, 1993, initially operating with only 10 base stations in Hanoi and the southern region. After more than 30 years of development, MobiFone's user base has reached nearly 50 million, jointly dominating the Vietnamese mobile market with Viettel and VNPT, with the three companies accounting for approximately 85% of new SIM subscriptions.
In the field of the Internet of Things (IoT), MobiFone leverages nationwide 4G/5G network coverage to provide Vietnamese enterprises with IoT connectivity, dedicated APN, and connection management services. It hosts multiple MVNOs (myLocal, VNSKY, FPT SIM, etc.), possessing rich experience in virtual operations and industry customization.
MobiFone Basic Information
- Established: April 16, 1993 (Vietnam's first mobile operator)
- Headquarters: Hanoi, Vietnam
- Nature: State-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam
- Mobile users: Approximately 50 million (at the 30th anniversary in 2023)
- Market Position: Vietnam's second-largest mobile operator
- 2008: Once ranked first in Vietnam's mobile user market share
- 2014: Restructured as MobiFone Telecommunications Joint Stock Company
- Network Standards: 4G LTE, 5G NR, NB-IoT
Development History and Milestones
MobiFone was formerly Vietnam Mobile Telecommunications Service Company (VMS), launching services under the MobiFone brand in 1993 as Vietnam's first mobile operator. In 1995, it signed a 10-year business cooperation agreement with Sweden's Comvik/Kinnevik Group. By 2000, it had 268 transmission stations, and in 2001 it covered all 61 provinces with 500 transmission stations. In 2007, it had 14,300 2G base stations, and by 2011 it reached 21,000 2G and 11,500 3G base stations. By 2009, users exceeded 30 million, and in 2008 it once topped the Vietnamese market share.
In 2014, it was restructured as MobiFone Telecommunications Joint Stock Company under the Ministry of Information and Communications. In 2023, it celebrated its 30th anniversary with nearly 50 million users. MobiFone hosts multiple MVNOs and is an important IoT connectivity and virtual operator platform in Vietnam.
Core Technical Capabilities
Nationwide coverage
4G/5G network covers all provinces and cities in Vietnam, supporting nationwide IoT device connections
MVNO platform
Hosting MVNOs such as myLocal, VNSKY, FPT SIM, with industry customization capabilities
State-owned background
Directly under the Ministry of Information and Communications, advantage in government and key project collaborations
Operational experience
30 years of operational experience, pioneer in Vietnam's telecommunications market
Network standards and coverage
| Technical Standard | Coverage | Use Cases | Development Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4G LTE | Nationwide in Vietnam | Mainstream IoT connectivity | Primary network |
| 5G NR | Major Cities and Regions | High-speed IoT, industrial applications | Continuous expansion |
| NB-IoT | Major Regional Deployment | Smart metering, sensors | Commercial deployment |
| 3G | Some areas | Traditional IoT Devices | Gradually phase out the network |
Industry Solutions
Smart city
- Intelligent Traffic Management
- Public lighting control
- Environmental Monitoring Sensors
- Smart parking system
Industrial Manufacturing
- Remote equipment monitoring
- Asset tracking and positioning
- Predictive Maintenance
- Production Line IoT
Retail and Logistics
- POS terminal connection
- Fleet Management
- Warehouse Monitoring
- Cold Chain Tracking
Utilities
- Smart meter reading
- Remote Water Meter Reading
- Energy consumption analysis
- Smart Agriculture
Competitive Advantages
- Market Position: Vietnam's second-largest operator, about 50 million users
- Historical Background: Vietnam's first mobile operator, 30 years of operational experience
- State-owned Background: Directly under the Ministry of Information and Communications, advantageous for government project cooperation
- MVNO Ecosystem: Multi-brand virtual operation, flexible industry customization
- Nationwide coverage: 4G/5G network covers major areas of Vietnam
Service Support System
Enterprise services
- Dedicated Enterprise Account Manager
- IoT Solution Consulting
- Dedicated APN Configuration
- SLA Guarantee Agreement
Platform Capabilities
- Connection management platform
- SIM Lifecycle Management
- Traffic Monitoring and Alerts
- API Integration
MVNO support
- Virtual operator collaboration
- White-label solutions
- Industry-customized data plan
- Compliance and licensing consultation