Metfone will always be the bridge to strengthen the friendship between the two countries.

Viettel Cambodia CEO Cao Manh Duc: Metfone will always be a bridge to strengthen the friendship between the two countries

"We always determine to bring our best to the Cambodian people, to be a Cambodian network operator and to benefit the people here," said Mr. Cao Manh Duc, CEO of Metfone, when talking about Metfone's contributions over the past 15 years in the land of pagodas.

In 2009, Metfone opened in Cambodia, marking Viettel's first network operator in the foreign market. Overcoming many initial difficulties and obstacles, Metfone has gradually become a strong telecommunications enterprise over the years in Cambodia. Looking back at 2023, Mr. Cao Manh Duc expressed that Metfone is an enterprise with many outstanding fields, not only reflected in profit figures.

"GIVE FIRST, RECEIVE LATER" AND THE METFONE GENETICS

2023 is a year of Metfone's many outstanding achievements when the telecommunications market is saturated. What is the secret that helps Metfone achieve that, sir?

When I took the assignment to Cambodia, I realized that there were many challenges as the telecommunications market was increasingly saturated, and the opportunity for continued growth was quite difficult.

Meanwhile, the conditions for applying information technology in Cambodia are still limited and facing many difficulties. In addition, the Cambodian market has a large area, a sparse population with low population density. That makes it difficult for the telecommunications sector to develop telecommunications infrastructure, especially fixed broadband.

However, when mobile was saturated, we quickly focused on fixed broadband for 2 consecutive years 2022 and 2023. The encouraging result is that Metfone's fixed broadband growth rate is very good, ranking first among Viettel Global's market companies. In 2022, we developed an additional 100,000 fixed broadband subscribers, in 2023 this number was 120,000 subscribers. By the end of 2023, the number of fixed broadband subscribers reached 400,000, double the 5-year strategic target from 2021-2025.

So the secret here is that we have to change our mindset from top to bottom to suit the host country. Besides, the spirit of determination of a soldier, not afraid of hardships, always dedicated and devoted to work is what helps Metfone make a difference.

Those are the outstanding achievements shown in the numbers, what are the outstanding achievements of Metfone in the past year, sir?

From the beginning, Metfone took the name meaning "network of friends". That means, we will bring our best to your country, consider ourselves as Cambodia's telecommunications network, benefit and bring happiness to Cambodian people.

We do not only express it in words but also thoroughly implement it in every action. After Metfone was established and entered a stable phase, we assigned important management positions to Cambodians themselves so that they could feel that Metfone is a Cambodian network and operated by Cambodians themselves.

I am always proud to say that every member working for Metfone contributes to both countries. We always comply with the law and pay taxes in full. This money will contribute to the construction of social works and the direct beneficiaries are none other than the Cambodian people, or more specifically, the families of each Cambodian employee working at Metfone.

From such things, Metfone has built trust with the Cambodian people over the past 15 years. That is the greatest achievement of the enterprise that cannot be fully described by numbers. Of course, after all, Metfone will also benefit economically. However, with the mentality of "giving first, receiving later", we have become an increasingly trusted network operator in the land of pagodas and become a typical model, a bridge for friendship and solidarity between the two countries and peoples.

How is that sincerity expressed through specific stories?

There are so many stories that show the trust of Cambodian people in Metfone that we cannot tell them all. But we always have a thought, when Cambodian people need us, we have to try harder, never be afraid of hardships.

Metfone has always been a pioneer in remote areas, places where many other networks hesitate to set foot. Other networks do not set up stations, so Metfone has to set up mobile stations. Other networks do not have staff on duty, so we have to have staff on duty in those remote areas. We have to be more dedicated, to prove to the people of your country that we not only talk but also do, and are there when they need us. These things accumulate and build up gradually every day, building the trust that people have in us.

The "genetic" factor in Metfone people is determination.

In addition to good strategy, the human factor is very important in the success of a business. What is the "genetic" factor in Metfone people?

Viettel is a military enterprise, with a pioneering spirit, ready to fight, confront, and always have a sense of comradeship. Those factors are still maintained in the Cambodian market.

Peacetime soldiers on the economic front are different from wartime soldiers, but in general, we are always ready to face difficult challenges. We are intellectually prepared, always studying, improving our knowledge, self-training to renew ourselves, and preparing ourselves to work far from home.

The most important thing in Metfone's "gene" is determination. We are determined from top to bottom, so we create unity and solidarity.

As the head of Metfone, what do you do to create a responsible working culture and collective solidarity like the current one?

That is not always a simple task for any business. However, at Viettel in general and Metfone in particular, we always create a responsible and dedicated working culture from top to bottom.

Whenever a project is needed, we are ready to work day and night. Sometimes, our partners say we will handle it the next day, but we have to do it right away. This process operates from top to bottom, regardless of high or low position. This has been going on for many years, and that is how we have created a different culture for Metfone compared to other businesses.

In addition, we maintain fairness and impartiality in work clearly. Talented and capable people will be rewarded accordingly to their contributions. Or maintaining good welfare for employees is also an effective factor that helps Metfone create a warm home where members always care for each other sincerely.

THE NEXT PHASE HISTORICAL MISSION

Following the successes in the field of fixed broadband, what will Metfone do next to maintain and consolidate its position?

At each stage, Metfone has a different historical mission. In the first stage, we have to build a network, stabilize and develop. In this next stage, we have to continue to transform ourselves into the leading telecommunications and technology company in Cambodia.

At present, we have to go deeper with the Government and relevant ministries on digital transformation in Cambodia. In Cambodia, the new Prime Minister of Cambodia is very young and interested in digital transformation. The Prime Minister has just launched a pentagon strategy, and one of the five pillars of the pentagon strategy is Digital Economic and Social Development. Therefore, it can be said that Metfone's current and future strategies are consistent with and in line with the Cambodian government.

Currently, we are focusing on implementing information technology solutions and digital transformation in areas that have great influence and reach many people, such as education and healthcare. When successful, we will replicate it in many other areas.

What we are doing for education is highly appreciated by the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Education of Cambodia. The Information Technology Application Council of Cambodia also assessed that Metfone's software is capable of accompanying the education sector in the future. From these initial successes, Metfone will continue to expand to many other areas for the Government and businesses.

What will be Metfone's challenging mission in 2024?

In 2024, Metfone also has a challenging task of boosting non-telecom revenue growth. In recent years, non-telecom revenue has only grown by 10% per year, this year we set a target of increasing by 30% compared to the previous year. These are big challenges for us, but with the experience and knowledge of Viettel people, I am always confident in the set goals.

Metfone's 15-year journey is a journey of building trust and happiness through the sincerity and values that Metfone has brought to Cambodia. That trust and love is the motivation for us to strive harder, to create more values for the country and people of Cambodia.

We are committed to always accompany the government and businesses in Cambodia in building an increasingly prosperous and strong country. So that Metfone will always be a bridge to further strengthen the solidarity and friendship between the two Parties, States and Governments of Vietnam and Cambodia.

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