(Mar 13, 2008) – Here’s a jaw-dropper. Telecomasia.net reports that Vietnam has decided it needs to launch its own satellite to make sure that its communications infrastructure is up to the demands of today’s global economy. You can click here to read the full article.
Vinasat No. 1 is scheduled to be launched April 12 from South America, and will be ready for use in May. The $200-million satellite will make internet and television accessible nationwide.
“Vietnam has reached the point where significant improvements of the telecommunication infrastructure are needed for its economic and social development,” said a Vietnamese telecom official. Better telecommunications would bring more investment into the country. Vietnam’s economy has grown at an average annual rate of more than 7% for the last 10 years. It has 19 million internet users, and more than 40 million telephones.
That means Vietnam has joined the club of developing nations, including China, India, and Brazil that has figured out that high-speed telecommunications networks, information technology and technical education are the best strategy for providing the rising productivity, jobs and living standards for their people without ruining the air and water and fighting over oil.
Competing for capital. Competing for technology. Competing for scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs. That’s the policy game of the future. All three are in danger in the current US election.
JR
