The quality of the internet connection is a big usual question of reporters when working in an unfamiliar environment. It is because the speed of the internet connection strongly affects the quality and efficiency of reporters’ work in the current information age. Some 2,500 international reporters from all over the world, who had come to Vietnam to cover the DPRK-US Hanoi Summit, had had that concern before the event.
According to Mr. Pham Anh Duc, Deputy General Director of Viettel Network Corporation, Viettel was tasked with providing Internet services, landline telephone service and 2G, 3G and 4G services at the International Media Center during the DPRK-US Hanoi Summit, to facilitate operation of international and domestic reporters. Well understanding the importance of the press and media’s position to the success of event, Viettel arranged 1,500 fixed Internet terminals, nearly 100 telephone landlines, 66 wifi hotspots, and deployed 10 small transmission stations to provide 2G, 3G and 4G services at the International Media Center. The wifi system with the latest technology was designed to serve 4,000 users simultaneously while the fixed Internet connection is 10 times faster than that at a local home.
    |
 |
|
Free sim cards for reporters |
Meanwhile, VNPT was responsible for providing traditional television and satellite television services to domestic and foreign media agencies working at the summit. Reportedly, VNPT could provide LAN and wifi connections for at least 4,150 users at the same time, with international Internet speeds of at least 20Mbps for LAN users and 10Mbps for wifi users. Those speeds could meet all professional needs of reporters for filming, taking photos, live streaming, posting press and media products on the internet.
Sharing with reporters of the Military People's Army Newspaper, representatives of Viettel and VNPT all said that the biggest difficulty and most labor were the installation of devices, equipment and systems at the International Media Center because it took much time and energy. In order to complete the telecommunications infrastructure for the second DPRK-USA Summit, Viettel's employees had to work restlessly through 5 days and 4 nights.
“We had only 3 days to arrange and install our equipment and systems but the workload was so big. So VNPT had to mobilize more than 700 specialists, technicians and workers to work around the clock to serve the summit at best,” said Nguyen Huy Tu, Deputy Director of the Network Exploitation Department under the VNPT Network Infrastructure Company (VNPT NET).
As a result, newspapers radios and televisions across the world could cover news about the DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit in a timely and precise manner. No interruption or incidents were reported by both domestic and international reporters during the event. All international reporters recognized that the host country had provided great internet, information, telecommunication services.
In addition, the working attitude of staff of VNPT and Viettel working at the Conference was highly appreciated by international reporters. Everyday Viettel had nearly 100 regular specialists and technicians on 24/24 duty at the International Media Center, who were ready to support reporters when they had any problems with internet connections. Meanwhile, VNPT also left a strong impression on international reporters as it provided 4G SIM cards with 12GB capacity for free to all journalists participating in the event.
Hirotuki Haneuji, a reporter of TBS TV (Japan), said that thanks to the "very good" quality of Internet connection at the International Media Center. He got success in covering news about the DPRK-USA Summit. Reporter Chris Anne Gonzales of the Philippines' UNTV News & Rescue TV channel shared that when she came to Hanoi to work, she found Vietnam's Internet service was much better than in her country. Chris Anne Gonzales believed that Vietnam's Internet quality is among the best in Southeast Asia. Valentina Shvartsman, a reporter from Russia's Sputnik newspaper, said that Vietnam's preparations at the International Media Center were extremely wonderful. Meanwhile, most international reporters became very surprised when they were provided free very delicious food, free transportation and free internet access. Especially, the internet network could serve thousands of users at the same time and at a high speed, which helped international reporters a lot, many expressed pleasure when they were asked about internet services at the International Media Center.
Simon Owen is a radio reporter - Fox News from the US, was present at the International Media Center for the DPRK-USA Summit from February 24, 2016. Since then, Simon Owen had always live-broadcast news and live-streamed but he had not encountered any problems about the transmission when working.
“All Viettel's staff working at the International Media Center considered that they had had a great honor to serve the DPRK-USA Summit. So they all worked hard for not only Viettel’s trademark, but also the credibility of the country,” Pham Anh Duc told reporters of the People's Army Newspaper.
The good work of VNPT and Viettel before and during the DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit has demonstrated that the country’s telecommunication sector has developed to the world level, and has made an affirmation that Vietnam is fully capable of hosting major international events.
Translated by Thu Nguyen