Movitel: a close friend of Mozambique

PANO – Movitel is taking the lead in the mobile phone service market of Mozambique, with more than 4 million subscribers. The information was released by Major General Le Dang Dung, Deputy General Director of Vietnam’s military-run telecommunications group, Viettel, at a recent meeting between the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Mozambique.  

The joint venture Movitel came into being as a result of the investment between Viettel and the SPI and Invespar companies of Mozambique. The joint venture has built up a network that covers even the most remote areas of Mozambique, with more than 20,000km of optical cable. So the telecommunications infrastructure of Mozambique is now on par with those of other African countries. Viettel has also helped bring internet services to schools and government offices of the country.

Mozambican people visiting Movitel's stand

On May 15th, 2012, Viettel launched Movitel. After four years of operation, Movitel has become the biggest network manager in Mozambique, accounting for 38% of the marketshare, with 3,000 2G/3G base transceiver stations (BTSs), 2,700km of optical cable, and network coverage of 80% of the area of Mozambique. With the operation of Movitel, Mozambique has become one of the three leading countries in optical cable infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Instead of investing in urban areas like other networks, Viettel did things differently. Its staff went to remote areas - overcoming difficulties such as shortages of electricity and water, plus cultural differences - to build up the trademark of Movitel. And Movitel has become a close friend of the Mozambique people, to the extent that local people all greet Viettel staff with the word “Movitel.”

Movitel has also created jobs and supported and protected the business environment for locals, contributing to developing the community and society of Mozambique. In March 2013, the staff of Movitel reached flooded areas in Gaza province and provided necessary in-kind support and cash (worth USD $200,000). In addition, Movitel has also supported 2,500 schools with access to the internet, school supplies, and IT devices.

Holding fast to the motto “business operation in close combination with social responsibility”, Movitel, a trademark of Viettel, has become a reliable friend of the Mozambique people.