The communes are located in 32 districts of 10 provinces and cities across the country.

This is the second phase of a public telecom service provision programme that has been approved by the Prime Minister with the hope of bridging the digital gap among regions in the country until use of telecom and Internet services is distributed evenly.

The programme, which will cost an estimated VND5.2 trillion (US$325 million), aims to provide disadvantaged districts and communes with standard telephone, Internet and emergency communications services.

By 2010, 100 percent of communes in Vietnam will access public phone services and 70 percent public Internet services. The rate of telephone users in target areas will be 5 per 100 residents.

A total of 504 communes of 148 districts in 43 provinces and cities has already benefited from the first phase of the programme, said the MoPT.