The Ministry of Information and Communications will allocate VND1.2 trillion (around US$72 million) for four companies this year to develop basic telecom services for the public.

The Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) will be provided with around VND744.3 billion to maintain and develop fixed phone subscribers and Internet access points at disadvantaged areas, including frontier posts.

EVN Telecom and Viettel Telecom will receive VND337.6 billion and VND107.5 billion, respectively, for the same purposes.

Meanwhile, VND10.6 billion will be earmarked for the Vietnam Marine Communication and Electronics Company (Vishipel) to equip with fishing boats communication means and provide search and rescue information and natural calamity forecast.