Viet Nam’s biggest telecom firm Viettel has announced it will abolish roaming charges between Viet Nam and neighbouring Cambodia and Laos, where it has also developed strong networks.

Nguyen Manh Hung, general director of the company, said that starting from next year its subscribers in the 3 countries will be able to phone each other at domestic call rates, local media reported. Viettel has developed the Metfone network in Cambodia and Unitel in Laos.

Hung said the initiative is to facilitate cultural and trade connections in Indochina, but the company will lose around $1 million a month.

In October last year, members of the European parliament also voted to scrap mobile roaming charges from mid-2017 to save holidaymakers amongst member countries from racking up massive phone bills.

ASEAN ministers of communications raised the idea of abolishing roaming fees thoughout the bloc back in 2013, but no agreement was finalised.

Besides Viet Nam, Viettel operates mobile networks in 10 countries in Southeast Asia, South America and Africa.

Its brand value has been estimated at $973 million by UK-based intangible asset valuation consultancy organisation Brand Finance. It is ranked 7^th in Southeast Asia and 93^rd globally.

(Source: VnExpress/ International)