Viettel dials in great social achievements

In 2008, Viettel Group launched the ‘Internet for Schools’programme aiming at bringing free internet to all under-privileged schools in Vietnam (about 30,000 schools).

With estimated expenses of over VND300 billion ($14.5 million) every year, this is an unprecedented programme of its kind in Vietnam’s telecommunications history.

“The group has long cherished the idea of popularising free broadband internet to all schools in Vietnam because its business philosophy is closely associated with the sustainable development of society,” said a Viettel executive.

In 2009, Viettel initiated the 30A programme targeting rapid and steady poverty reduction in three poor districts - Muong Lat, Ba Thuoc in central Thanh Hoa and Quang Tri provinces.

The programme focuses on health and education crucial to people’s futures.

“We should bring them what they need rather than our strengths in order to help the local people to get rid of poverty,” according to a telecom group’s representative.

A top Viettel executive shared the group’s strong commitment for community development inspired by what Bill Gates, a computer software legend, did for social development.

Viettel launched the unparalleled ‘Internet for Schools’ programmes just a few months after the Microsoft president delivered a speech at the Davos World Economic Forum in Switzerland calling for information technology support to be given to unaffordable people to help them have better future.

A senior Viettel leader said: “We absolutely agree with what Bill Gates said in his speech that there are billions of people who need the great inventions of the computer age, and many more basic needs as well, but they do not have any opportunities to enjoy them.”

The executive said this motivated Viettel to get the internet into schools.

“We do not consider it a charitable activity but a long-term investment in the society and the business will benefit from this. The poor will not be forever poor if we give them the right chance. After escaping poverty, they will help others, creating a continuous development circle for the society,” said Viettel’s vice president Nguyen Manh Hung.