Vietnam Spends US$63m to Build 5,000 New BTS Stations, Ranking 5th in APEC

• 17 March 2024
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Viettel Construction Joint Stock Corporation has embarked on a substantial investment project, committing 1,460.4 billion VND (approximately US$63.5 million) to construct 5,000 Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) for lease in 2024. This expansive project will span all 63 provinces and cities in Vietnam, aiming to bolster Viettel Construction’s BTS station count to a total of 9,975 by the end of 2024. The project announced on 8 March 2024, positions Viettel Construction to maintain its lead as the top TowerCo in Vietnam and to ascend into the top 10 TowerCos in ASEAN and the top 30 globally.

The investment in BTS infrastructure is a strategic move to capitalise on the burgeoning demand for mobile and data services across Vietnam. With the government’s recent approval of the 5G spectrum auction plan, businesses are mandated to deploy at least 3,000 5G BTS stations within two years of licensing, further emphasising the timeliness of Viettel Construction’s project.

In 2023, Viettel Construction’s infrastructure rental investment sector saw its revenue increase to approximately 17.67 million USD, a 39% rise from the previous year, driven by a 68% growth in BTS station leasing. The pre-tax profit in this sector also surged by 46% to about 3.73 million USD in 2023.

As Vietnam’s telecommunications market continues to mature, TowerCos like Viettel Construction are expected to become increasingly vital commercial partners for network operators. With nearly 100 million people and 136 million subscribers, the market potential for infrastructure development is significant. TowerXchange’s Asia Guide Q3/2023 report highlights Vietnam as a market with substantial growth opportunities for TowerCos.

With the current ownership of 89,025 BTS stations, Vietnam ranks fifth in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC) in terms of the number of BTS stations

• Technology and Engineering