The number of people interested in the third generation mobile technology (3G) soared in late 2009-early 2010, turning Vietnam into the country with the “greatest passion” for 3G. 

This conclusion is based on Google Trends data. The data also shows that Vietnam is becoming a potential market for the providers of network service, handheld equipment and added value services based on 3G technologies. 

Last year orders for 3G from Vietnam ranked second in the world, just behind China. Now Vietnam has googled 3G the most since 2004, thanks to the high numbers of people who searched for the keyword 3G on Google in late 2009 – early 2010.

The increase of the people googling 3G began in December 2009, when MobiFone launched 3G services and Viettel expanded its tests of 3G services to 17 provinces and cities.

According to Google Trend data, users paid more attention to the 3G services of VinaPhone and Viettel than MobiFone.

Vietnamese users also searched for 3G handheld equipment, especially iPhone 3G.

VinaPhone is the first telecom firm launching 3G mobile services in Vietnam last October.

In December 2009, MobiFone also supplied four 3G services: Video Call, Mobile Internet, Mobile TV and Fast Connect.

Meanwhile, Viettel announced in February 2010 to launch 3G services this March to be the third provider in the country after Vinaphone and MobiFone.