JACCAR EQUITY RESEARCH – VIETNAM
Transcription
JACCAR EQUITY RESEARCH – VIETNAM
JACCAR EQUITY RESEARCH – VIETNAM Telecommunications Analyst NGUYEN Thi Thanh Hoa 81-85 Ham Nghi – District 1 Ho Chi Minh City +84 8 39 14 90 60 [email protected] DO NOT MIND MACRO, JUST PING • • Next events One Corporation 25/04/2009: Shareholder meeting • • • Achieved: April 22, 2009 Disclaimer : Please refer to important disclosures at the end of this report Telecommunications and ICT have been the fastest growing industries over the last 5 years and have recently become the best light sources in the gloomy macro picture in Vietnam. 2008 growth rate of ICT was 20%, posts and telecommunications by 38%. Slowly opening and removing legal barriers to the private sector, the telecommunication market seemed to be customized for big stateowned players with significant benefits of license holding. In the Internet business, 3 IXP/ISPs bite 95% market share, among them VNPT occupies 75% of the playground. Increasing government ICT spending and passionate telecommunication consumption in Vietnam secure the wealth of leading operators. The slowdown risk might help companies to transform and restructure more strategically. We believe in an upside in 2009-2011 despite keep our concerns of constrained 2009 sales and profitability. We adopt a recommendation of ACCUMULATE for ONE and BUY for FPT with a target price of VND 14,800 and VND 71,000 respectively. www.jaccar.net TELECOMMUNICATIONS www.jaccar.net 2 TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONTENTS DO NOT MIND MACRO, JUST PING .............................................................................. 1 INVESTMENT CASE ....................................................................................................... 5 A ROCKET RAMP ........................................................................................................... 7 Vietnam and Malaysia, the best ICT students for WB ................................................. 7 Double-digit growth is the unique rule ......................................................................... 8 The Vietnamese Internet Performance, a nice story with implicit ‘asymmetric’ access ............................................................................................................................. 9 Back to the past… ......................................................................................................................... 10 … to understand the current situation ........................................................................................... 11 THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK, A NEW CHINESE CASE? .............................................. 13 Regulation and policy making: a reforming follower to technology society and liberalization ................................................................................................................. 14 Say ‘58’ ......................................................................................................................................... 16 The first conclusions after 10 years… .......................................................................................... 17 The show must go on .................................................................................................................... 18 …But keep protecting with the WTO commitment .................................................... 22 2009 rule will be a new step but in what direction? ...................................................................... 23 DAVID VS GOLIATH OR MICROSOFT’S GAME? ....................................................... 24 The infrastructure and technologies at a glance ...................................................... 25 Be connected ! .............................................................................................................................. 25 Access abilities, the international requests already applied ......................................................... 28 Don’t forget the ‘.vn’ ...................................................................................................................... 28 The service quality, a priority ........................................................................................................ 30 The ‘Pac Man’ game ..................................................................................................... 32 Short resumes ............................................................................................................................... 33 Who will be the winner? ................................................................................................................ 37 The digital content could be the next battle? ................................................................................ 43 COMPANY SHEETS...................................................................................................... 48 FPT Corporation............................................................................................................................ 48 One Corporation............................................................................................................................ 98 www.jaccar.net 3 TELECOMMUNICATIONS www.jaccar.net 4 TELECOMMUNICATIONS INVESTMENT CASE Telecommunications is a robust sector in Vietnam Vietnam telecommunication has enjoyed a very nice performance in the last recent years. The average growth rate of telecommunication revenue for last 3 years 2006-2008 is 37%, much higher than the rate of Asean region of 10%. The chart below shows the sector scenario of regional countries in 2008. The bubble size is size of the telecommunication revenue, vertical axis shows the revenues of non-mobile sector (fixed lines and Internet) and horizontal axis stands for number of Internet users. Vietnam is the second country for Internet users in ASEAN Among 10 countries of Asean, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia have underperformance in telecommunication sectors, their bubbles stays at the bottom corner of chart. Vietnam telecommunication revenue stays number 6, higher than Brunei and 3 above countries. However, Vietnam ranks the second in Internet users and has the balance between mobile and fixed services revenue. The world trend in the telecommunication sector is that the mobile is booming and surpasses fixed services. Therefore, the Vietnam telecommunication sector still has a potential for booming in the next two years. With a population of 85 mil people, the expected growth of the sector can reach more than 40% in 2009 – 2010. Telecommunication revenues and Internet users in Asian Countries 3500 70.00 3000 60.00 Philippines 2500 50.00 Singapore 2000 40.00 1500 30.00 1000 20.00 500 10.00 0 ‐10,000.0 ‐5,000.0 0.0 5,000.0 10,000.0 15,000.0 ‐500 20,000.0 25,000.0 30,000.0 35,000.0 40,000.0 0.00 Sources: BMI, Jaccar Internet subscription CARG was 60% for 2004-2008 Vietnam Internet subscription achieved a five year CAGR of 60% (2004-2008), the highest rate of the region, penetration rate reached 25% in 2008. The fast growing strategy and strong commitment of government in telecommunication has empowered that show. Some reforms in legal framework Business environments and legal frameworks promise reform with new regulations and issuance of telecommunication laws. However, the mechanism of regulation operation and conflict among service providers, as well as dominance of key players and monopoly position of state-owned ISP may not make impact effective. www.jaccar.net 5 TELECOMMUNICATIONS ISPs spur the investment on international bandwidth and fiber optic network. Government commits to invest VND 100trn in broadband development In order to prepare for welcoming the added value services and digital content, to fight for market share and coverage before the wave of high profile global service providers, big ISPs spur the investment on international bandwidth and fiber optic network. 3 key ISPs set the target of doubling Internet broadband subscriber numbers by 2009. Recently, the Vietnamese government has been investing heavily in developing broadband, announcing a commitment to inject VND 100trn (USD 6.3bn) in order to significantly raise penetration rates. Yet the big pie of those investment amounts points to commercial broadband services such as 3G or Wimax. Through VTF, government finances the universal service obligations In an effort to improve telecommunication access and realize investment, Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) established Vietnam telecommunication Fund (VTF) at 2007 end. In 2008, VTF has granted VND 1200 bn (USD 72mil) to VNPT, Viettel, EVN telecom and Vishipel to develop fixed lines and Internet services in remote areas. We forecast Internet sales growth of 12% for 2008-2012 There was a fierce race in 2008 for subscription number among key ISPs. A series of promotions for modem and subscription fees increased Internet subscriptions by 15% but forced Internet user cost down by about 7%. The revenue of Internet rise 11%, but the profit margin of key ISP is about 25-30%. In 2008, despite 20.8 million Vietnamese Internet users, broadband subscription penetration was only 2%. Vietnamese government and enterprises are focusing on infrastructure investment and improving penetration rate. Jaccar forecasts Internet revenue growth of 12% for 2008-2012, the average profit margin for 3 top service providers (VNPT, Viettel, FPT) is not lower than 20%. The price is going down In 2009, the impact of the economy crisis and the continuing strategy increasing quantity to grasp market share, the price will go down slightly, along with improved infrastructure and service quality, the revenue will grow at 9%. The recovery in 2010 will attract more FDI, then the demand will increase, the growth rate of 12%. In 2011 some reforms of telecommunication policy will facilitate the market, with the joining of foreign content providers, the rate will reach 14%. However, at that time, the subscription number of 11 mil., penetration at 32%, equal to Asia average rate, the increase will be more flat. There will be saturated Internet subscription in urban areas, about 85-90%, the rural areas are not interested in content services except for simple tools like browsing or emails, the growth rate in 2012-2014 is around 9%, and in 2015 only 7%. In this report, we analyze the performance of two listed ICT companies, FPT Corporation on Hochiminh Stock Exchange and One Corporation on Hanoi Securities Trading Center. FPT Corporation (FPT) is the one of top 10 largest market cap companies and the no. 1 ICT player in Vietnam with dominating power in its key ICT business lines. FPT has the strongest presence in ICT infrastructure development projects and software industry with its very high growth rate. It also builds up a powerful internal forces fueled by an elite management team and highly IT qualified staff of 8,500. Believing in its high potential development and profitability, our target price is VND 71,000 (USD 4.0) with a BUY recommendation. So different from FPT, ONE is just penny stock, with low liquidity. Fortunately, ONE has its own niche market in IT network business and poses the leading position in “fertile” Contact Center business in Vietnam. With its small business scale, ONE can overcome the macro economy headwind and keep its stable growth. We adopt an ACCUMULATE recommendation with a target price of VND 14,800 (USD 0.9). www.jaccar.net 6 TELECOMMUNICATIONS A ROCKET RAMP Vietnam witnesses a significant growth of its information and telecommunication industries, with a strong development of the broadband Internet services and mobile phone networks in the years 2007 - 2008. Vietnam is now the second fastest country of telecommunication expansion. Vietnam and Malaysia, the best ICT students for WB Vietnam ICT performance has improved year by year According to the Information and Communication Technology Overview report released at the Vietnam ICT Outlook 2008 seminar on July 15, 2008, almost all of the ICT indexes of Vietnam have been increased (in World Bank's rates), reaching 3.0 and bringing the country into the middle of the ranking list of global ICT communities. Vietnam’s Knowledge Index (KI) and Knowledge Economy Index (KEI) are at 3.17 and 3.27 respectively, ranking 96 out of 140 countries ranked. In particular, Vietnam’s E-Government ranking (E-Gov) issued by UNPAN (the United Nations Public Administration Network) has advanced by 16 points in comparison to that of 2005, showing that Vietnam has properly acknowledged the critical role of e-government (e-gov) in social and economic development and is getting back on the right track. Among the three indicators of e-gov ranking, Vietnam’s Web Measure Index scored 0.4448, which is a 100% surge over the year 2005 and the highest increase compared with the other two indicators: Telecommunications Infrastructure and Human Capital Indexes. In 2008, UNPAN assessed the government websites primarily upon the content quality provided rather than their quantity. Thanks for this new assessment approach, this index has closely reflected the government technology implication, leaving all virtual or "non-used" websites behind. ASEAN ICT Index 2008 vs 2005 Countries 2008 Index Singapore Malaysia Thailand Philippines Brunei Darussalam Vietnam Indonesia Cambodia Myanmar Timor-Leste Lao Region World 0.7009 0.6063 0.5031 0.5001 0.4667 0.4558 0.4107 0.2989 0.2922 0.2462 0.2383 0.429 0.4514 2005 Index 2008 Ranking 2005 Ranking 0.8503 0.5706 0.5518 0.5721 0.4475 0.384 0.3819 0.2969 0.2959 0.2512 0.2241 0.4388 0.4267 23 34 64 66 87 91 106 139 144 155 156 7 43 46 41 73 105 96 128 129 144 147 Source: World Bank Ranking number 6 in Asean ICT index In Southeast Asia, Vietnam is ranked 6th, standing below Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Brunei, but above Indonesia. Another critical criterion for assessment is the Networked Readiness Index (NRI), and in 2008, Vietnam also advanced 9 points, ranking 73 out of 127 countries. NRI is considered as a critical indicator since it involves lots of development factors, such as business environments and infrastructures, and the IT usage of businesses and governments. www.jaccar.net 7 TELECOMMUNICATIONS One of the ASEAN countries that joined the top-10 list of NRI is Singapore, ranking 5th out of 127 countries, higher than South Korea, which rank 9th. Indonesia ranks 76th, 3 points lower than Vietnam. Also according to this report of the World Bank, the copyright infringement rate of Vietnam in 2008 is 85%, showing a 3% decline since last year. So after 3 years since Vietnam listed as a leading country of copyright infringement, it has striven for a 7% decrease and stepped out of the top 9 countries of intellectual property rights violation. Vietnamese ICT indicator ranking over 2006 – 2008 Ranking over Ranking no. of countries Compared Index Organization ranked with 2007 Knowledge Index (KI/KEI) World Bank World Economic Forum Networked Readiness Index (NRI) E-Readiness Ranking EIU E-Government Ranking UNPAN Piracy Rate BSA & IDC 2007 2006 96/140 3 up 90/132 104/132 73/127 65/70 91/182 10/108 9 up Same 16 up 5 up 82/122 65/69 117/182 5/102 75/115 66/68 105/191 Jan-97 Sources: World Bank, EIU, UNPAN, ITU, IDC Double-digit growth is the unique rule Internet growth rate has been more than 20% The Internet converted subscribers in year 2007 has increased by 28%, and the estimated one for 2008 is 20%, showing a slight decline in comparison with previous years. The reason for that slowdown may come from the unequal access and Internet infrastructure development among urban and rural or remote areas. The ratio of Internet users per population is above 24%, equivalent to more than 20 million people, and Vietnam still belongs to the top 20 countries of highest Internet users. 95% market share is dominated by 3 ISPs VNPT keeps deepening the gap of Internet market shares from 55% to 76% with its projects in promoting broadband growth and local telecommunication networking coverage. While FPT still stays focused on a number of major cities, Viettel has overtaken FPT for the second position with a market share of approx. 10%. These three enterprises account for approx. 95% market shares. VDC/VNPT got more than 60% international bandwidth capacity, others are waiting for AAG There is significantly increased volume of international connections, almost 200% by the end of November 2008. During only September - December 2008, VDC/VNPT upgraded its bandwidth around 3 times from 11 Gbps to 31.5Gbps for international connection services. VNPT continues to dominate the market in terms of bandwidth market share and connection capacity (above 60%). The international connection capacity of Vietnam will be enhanced sharply in the near future, especially in early 2009, with the $200-million Terabit Asia-America Gateway (AAG) marine cable network landing in Vung Tau, and the collaboration of 4 Vietnam ISPs, namely VNPT, Viettel, SPT, and FPT, with a variety of levels of involvement and contribution, might upgrade their own bandwidths to 40Gbps or higher. The project is a bit delayed and is expected to be completed by beginning of 2Q09 while the initial plan was the end of 2008. www.jaccar.net 8 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Internet Sector Trend 35,000,000 12000000 30,000,000 10000000 25,000,000 8000000 20,000,000 6000000 15,000,000 4000000 10,000,000 2000000 5,000,000 0 0 2008 2009e 2010e Internet users 2011e 2012e Broadband subscribers Sources : ITU, MIC, BMI, Jaccar We forecast the penetration rate of Internet of about 34% in 2012 Vietnam Internet is forecasted to boom by 2009 and keep the high growth rate till 2012. We predict almost 10 mil Internet broadband subscribers by the end of 2012 (equivalent to 10% penetration), total Internet users expected to reach a little over 32 mil, penetration rate at 34% of people. Vietnam Internet forecast 2008 Internet subscribers 6,050,000 Internet users 20,834,401 Penetration rate /Density of Internet users 24.04% Total broadband subscribers 2,048,953 2009e 2010e 2011e 2012e 7,620,000 24,376,000 28.20% 3,442,000 8,890,000 27,179,000 30.90% 5,335,100 9,980,000 30,032,000 32.20% 7,680,000 11,190,000 32,650,000 34% 9,984,000 Sources: ITU, MIC, BMI, Jaccar The Vietnamese Internet Performance, a nice story with implicit ‘asymmetric’ access Internet first entered Vietnam officially on November 19, 1997. After 10 years of development, the Vietnam Internet background has reached certain level of success, and has become one of the most effective tools in boosting economic and social growth. Vietnam is one of the leading countries in terms of Internet users expansion in the period 2000-2008, reaching 9,561.5%, which is 7.8 times higher than second ranked country. The number of Vietnam Internet subscribers advanced to world level in 2007 As of late 2007, the number of Vietnam Internet subscribers exceeded the Asian Internet subscription milestone of 8.4%, and in March 2007, the figure advanced to the world level of 16.9%. From then on, Vietnam has been on the list of top 20 countries of Internet users, ranking 5th in ASEAN, preceded by Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and will possibly leave Thailand behind by late 2008 with the estimated usage density of 25%, equivalent to a user population of 20 million people. In a comparative view with other Asian countries, Vietnam has the sixth leading Internet user population by 2007, preceded by China, Japan, India, Korea, and Indonesia. www.jaccar.net 9 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Vietnam is in top 20 leading Internet users in the world However, in considering Internet accessing time by minutes, Vietnam and other leading countries and territories of Asia, such as Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and Taiwan, are still at a lower level, compared to the global average index. Worldwide Internet usage growth No Countries 1 2 3 4 5 6 United States China Japan India Germany Brazil United Kingdom France Korea. South Italy Russia Canada Turkey Spain Mexico Indonesia Vietnam Argentina Australia Taiwan 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 TOP 20 Countries Rest of the World Total World – Users Usage Population Growth (2008e) (2000 - 2008) Internet users % population % users of the world 218,302,574 210,000,000 94,000,000 60,000,000 54,932,543 50,000,000 71.90% 15.80% 73.80% 5.20% 66.70% 26.10% 15.50% 14.90% 6.70% 4.30% 3.90% 3.60% 303,824,646 1,330,044,605 127,288,419 1,147,995,898 82,369,548 191,908,598 128.90% 833.30% 99.70% 1100.00% 128.90% 900.00% 41,042,819 36,153,327 34,820,000 33,712,383 30,000,000 28,000,000 26,500,000 25,066,995 23,700,000 20,000,000 19,323,062 16,000,000 15,504,558 15,400,000 67.30% 58.10% 70.70% 58.00% 21.30% 84.30% 36.90% 61.90% 21.60% 8.40% 22.40% 39.30% 75.30% 67.20% 2.90% 2.60% 2.50% 2.40% 2.10% 2.00% 1.90% 1.80% 1.70% 1.40% 1.40% 1.10% 1.10% 1.10% 60,943,912 62,177,676 49,232,844 58,145,321 140,702,094 33,212,696 71,892,807 40,491,051 109,955,400 237,512,355 86,116,559 40,677,348 20,600,856 22,920,946 166.50% 325.30% 82.90% 155.40% 867.70% 120.50% 1225.00% 365.30% 773.80% 900.00% 9561.50% 540.00% 134.90% 146.00% 1,052,458,261 25.00% 74.80% 4,218,013,579 252.50% 355,266,659 14.50% 25.20% 2,458,106,709 468.90% 1,407,724,920 21.10% 100.00% 6,676,120,288 290.00% Source: MiniwattsMarketing Group Back to the past… But Internet started a bit later than other in the region Broadband Internet services (xDSL) first emerged in 2003 with less than 10,000 subscribers, but remarkably reached 516,000 subscribers in 2006. The figure doubled in 2007, and is estimated to reach a growth level of 60% in 2008. In October 2008, Vietnam Internet usage fulfilled its objective for the year 2010 (as in QĐ TTG 32/2006) in terms of the ratio of broadband services subscribed per total Internet subscribers, which is 30%, and the ADSL Internet services are provided in 63 provinces and cities, which is failing to keep up with existing demand. The Internet services development timeline 1993 1994 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 2007 2008 2009 VIETPAC Technology Remote Printing Technology Internet/VNN, IXP, ISP,ICP, NIX/VNN1260/1269 Basic IP-based services & Online services via IP Next generation of IP-based services: Frame Relay, IP-VPN, WAP, Prepaid Internet Major IP-based services, including data and voice services: VoIP, Datacenter services Launching broadband services and expanding the network roaming services, prepaid VoIP, ADSL, Wifi (test), Infogate MPLS/VPN, NGN, ADSL++ Metro, Wimax (test) NGN/MPLS+, mobile Wimax (test), FTTH, Video streaming services over Internet 3G, Wimax Source: Jaccar www.jaccar.net 10 TELECOMMUNICATIONS … to understand the current situation And has grown very fast Since late 2003, all provinces and cities had completed the nation-wide school Internet program for local high -schools, colleges and universities (according to VNPT & Ministry of Education & Training). Since last September, Ministry of Education & Training has collaborated with Viettel in a broadband (ADSL) Internet project for national education and training facilities (approx. 39,000 spots) is expected to be completed in mid of 2009. Since late 2005, Vietnam has accomplished its goal of 100% land line telephone coverage and Internet access for all villages & districts. However, almost Internet access in remote areas in 2005 was only dial-up via telephone line with poor quality. It took time for people in rural areas to learn about computers or search for information needed on the net. The cost of Internet access via telephone was still high in comparison with living standards of rural people at that time. Internet usage summary sheet (Vietnam) Description 2003 2004 Internet subscribers Growth Rate Internet users Growth Rate Penetration rate /Density of Internet users Total International connection bandwidth of Vietnam Total international internet connection Growth Rate Total domestic connection bandwidth In which, connection bandwidth through VNIX (Mbps) Total VNIX Network Traffic (Gbps) Dot .vn domain name registered Growth Rate Vietnamese domain names registered Total allocated IPv4 address Total allocated IPv6 address (/64 unit) Total broadband subscribers Growth Rate 2005 2006 2007 2008 2,906,422 4,059,392 5,218,987 6,050,000 (est.) Jan-09 804,528 1,659,013 106.2% 75.2% 39.7% 28.6% 15.9% 3,098,007 6,345,049 10,710,980 14,683,783 18,551,409 20,834,401 20,894,705 104.8% 68.8% 37.1% 26.3% 12.3% 0.3% 7.69% 12.90% 17.67% 22.04% 24.04% 24.47% 3.80% 1,036 N/A 1,892 3,615 7,076 12,580 50,064 53,659 82.6% 91.1% 95.7% 77.8% 298.0% 7.2% N/A N/A N/A 26,744 69,840 68,760 N/A N/A N/A N/A 21,000 25,000 25,000 373 506,391 2,419,181 6,011,634 15,530,017 34,201,275 35,328,591 9,037 14,345 34,924 60,604 92,992 94,708 65.0% 58.7% 143.5% 73.5% 44.2% 1.8% 5,478 - - N/A N/A 3,379 4,274 4,304 152,064 454,912 755,200 1,862,400 3,830,528 6,589,440 6,610,944 - - N/A N/A 16,295,032,832 42,065,754,112 42,065,754,112 9,180 52,705 210,024 516,569 1,294,111 2,048,953 2,095,666 474.1% 298.5% 146.0% 150.5% 58.3% 2.3% Sources: VNNIC, MIC High density in the biggest cities With these facts and figures, we can think about the positive outlook of Internet usage in Vietnam. However, to improve availability of Internet access, especially the broadband services, appropriate, sustainable investments on networking and infrastructure development are still needed. There're unbalancing challenges in regional services and infrastructures allocation, which is deepening the existing digital gaps. A majority of the population is scattered across the rural, or small and medium urban areas. The four major cities of Vietnam, which are occupied by only 14% of the total population, account for 29% of fixed telecommunication subscription, and have an extremely high teledensity, compared with the average ratio of 25%: Ho Chi Minh City: 104%, Ha Noi: 141%, Da Nang: 106%, Hai Phong 86% (figures by MIC, 2007) There was a digital divide However, as happened with Internet development, the expansion speed of broadband services has somehow declined, despite fierce race among ADSL service providers in 2008. As the governmental controller, MIC states to concentrate on broadband development, to establish policies to decrease the service costs, increase number of Internet broadband users and form a fair mechanism and playground for service providers. Growth rate of broadband subscribers in 2007 was 150%, in 2008 is expected around 55%. The ratio of broadband subscribers per population at 2% is still lower than expected, in comparison with the Asian average. The broadband gap still www.jaccar.net 11 TELECOMMUNICATIONS exists between rural and urban areas. There are about 65% broadband subscribers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, while the other 35% is scattered in 61 cities and provinces. In a short time, the gap may be even deeper. Geographical distribution of Vietnamese households 2007 HCMC Hanoi Danang HaiPhong Geographical Distribution (million) Geographical Distribution (%) Landline Distribution Landline Subscription (million) 1.5 7% 14% 1.6 0.8 4% 10% 1.1 0.2 1% 2% 0.2 0.4 2% 3% 0.4 Others Total 17.8 86% 71% 8.1 20.8 11.5 Source: MIC Geographical distribution of broadband subscriptions HCMC Hanoi Danang Geographical Distribution (thousand) Geographical Distribution (%) Penetration rate 411 34% 27% 284 23% 35% 33 3% 17% HaiPhong 36 3% 8% Others Total 456 37% 3% 1220 6% Source: MIC www.jaccar.net 12 TELECOMMUNICATIONS THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK, A NEW CHINESE CASE? MIC is the ruler The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) is the policy making and regulatory body in the field of post, telecommunications and Internet on behalf of the government. The functions, tasks, authority and structure of the MIC is clearly defined in Decree No. 187/2007/NĐ-CP dated 25 December 2007. According to this decree, MIC has both rights of jurisdiction and legislation, which fall into 4 primary functions: • • • • Developing and drafting laws, resolutions, ordinances, and policies for submission to the Government; Developing strategies, plans, initiatives and implementation programs for submission to the Prime Minister; Issuing directives, decisions, circulars within its authority and power: Providing directives, guidance, evaluation, and supports in implementing relevant documentations, issuing technical criteria, licensing telecommunication services, radio and television frequency spectrum. Details on functions and jurisdiction of MIC in the national communication, information infrastructures, Internet and telecommunications business is presented in the following box. * Telecommunications and Internet: a) Guiding and implementing national development plans and strategies in telecommunications and internet fields; developing and implementing important policies to secure the growth of telecommunications and Internet infrastructures; governing specific terms and conditions of investment in telecommunications; regulating telecom services activities in wholesale and retail markets; governing public telecommunication services approved by the Prime Minister; b) Regulating, within its power, the Internet resources and numbering planning; the codes of telecommunications prices and tariffs; decision of granting and revoking numbering and Internet resources; c) Granting, extending, temporarily suspending, suspending and revoking telecommunications licenses; d) Governing Internet and numbering resources; đ) Regulating telecommunications and Internet services’ quality, price, tariff; e) Regulating and governing the connecting of telecommunication networks; g) Regulating and managing competition issues, and resolving disputes in fields of telecommunications and Internet; h) Regulating and managing the issuance of technological compliance certificates of dedicated devices of telecommunications and telecommunication projects; i) Governing the public telecommunication services providing; k) Operating, deploying and securing the safe operation of nation domain name server systems. * National information and communications infrastructures: a) Assigning, organizing and providing guidance on regulations in safety, security of national information and communications infrastructures approved the Prime Minister; b) Issue solutions to secure the safety and security of information and communications infrastructures in converging environment; mechanisms and policies related to usage of information and communications infrastructures. www.jaccar.net 13 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Regulation and policy making: a reforming follower to technology society and liberalization Slowly removing legal barriers Two of the most important legal documents on ICT fields is the Ordinance on Posts and Telecommunications, which was approved by 25 May 2002, and the Law on Information Technology, which was passed on 29 June 2006. The Law on Telecommunications, which is also at final stages of review, will be submitted to National Assembly for approval by 2009. For under-law documentation, a rising number of Viet Nam's decrees and directives on ICT development has proven the government's efforts and commitments to build up an appropriate IT development pathway for Viet Nam. General ordinance Document name Date of issuance Description Ordinance on Posts and Telecommunications No. 13/2002/PL-UBTVQH10 25/5/2002 Governing the Posts and Telecommunication Industries Document name Date of issuance Description Decision No. 158/2001/QĐ-TTg 18/10/2001 Joint Circular No. 02/2004/TTLT-BCVT-NV 27/05/2004 Directive No. 06/2004/CTBBCVT Decision No. 33/2004/QĐBBCVT 7/5/2004 Approving the national strategy on posts and telematics of Viet Nam up to 2010 and development orientation up to 2020 Guiding the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structures of the Departments of posts and telematics of people's committees of the provinces and Centrally-run cities Intensifying the assurance of safety and security for Posts, Telecommunications and Internet information in the new situations On promulgating Industrial Standards Source: Jaccar General issues 29/07/2004 Source: Jaccar Telecommunications Document name Date of issuance Description Decree No.157/2004/NĐ-CP 18/08/2004 Decree No. 160/2004/NĐ-CP 3/9/2004 Specifying the implementation of a number of Articles in Ordinance on Posts and Telecommunications, governing the Telecommunications sector Specifying the implementation of a number of Articles in Ordinance on Posts and Telecommunications, governing the Telecommunications sector Source: Jaccar www.jaccar.net 14 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Internet Document name Date of issuance Description Decree No. 55/2001/NĐ-CP Circular No. 04/2001/TT-TCBĐ 23/08/2001 20/11/2001 Circular No. 09/2003/TT-NHNN 5/8/2003 Decision No. 92/2003/QĐBBCVT Decision No. 71/2004/QĐ-BCA (A11) 26/05/2003 Directive No. 07/2004/CTBBCVT Circular No. 05 /2004/TTBBCVT 19/07/2004 The management, provision and usage of Internet services Guidance on implementation of Decree No.55/2001/NĐ-CP by the Government on the management, provision and usage of Internet services, Internet connections and Internet applications in posts and telecommunications Guidance on implementation of a number of Articles in Decree No. 55/2001/NĐ-CP issued on 23 August 2008 by the Government on the management, provision and usage of Internet services Promulgating Regulation on Internet resources management and usage On promulgating the regulation on ensuring safety and security in activities of managing, providing and using Internet services in Viet Nam On enhancing the management of Public Internet agents Decision No. 27/2005/QĐBBCVT Decision No. 32/2006 QĐ-TTG 11/8/2005 Decree No. 97/2008/NĐ-CP (replacing Decree No. 55/2001/NĐ-CP) 28/8/2008 Circular No. 05/2008/TTBTTTT 12/11/2008 29/01/2004 16/12/2004 7/2/2006 Guidance on implementation of a number of Articles on the handling administrative violations, complaints and denunciations referred to in Chapter IV, Decree No. 55/2001/NĐ-CP by the Government on management, provision and usage of the Internet services Issuing the "Regulation on the management and usage of Internet resources" On the Planning on Vietnam’s Telecommunications and Internet development up to 2010 On the management, provision and use of internet services and electronic information on the Internet Guidance on of a number of Articles of Decree No. 97/2008/NĐ-CP issued on 28 August 2008 by the Government on management, provision and usage of the Internet services and electronic information over Internet for Internet services Source: Jaccar Pricing Document name Date of issuance Description Decision No. 148/2003/QĐBBCVT Decision No. 05/2006/QĐBBCVT Decision No. số 217/2003/QĐ TTg Decision No. 12/2006/QĐBBCVT Decision No. 39/2007/QĐ-TTg (replacing Decision No. 217/2003/QĐ TTg) 26/8/2003 17/1/2006 Temporarily promulgating of the connection charges among enterprises providing telecoms services Amending a number of points of Decision No. 148/2003 27/10/2003 On management of posts and telecommunications services charges 26/4/2006 Promulgating the Regulation on interconnection between public telecommunications networks On management of posts and telecommunications services charges Circular No. 02/2007/TT-BTTTT 21/3/2007 13-Dec-07 Guiding the implementation of regulations on management of post and telecommunications service charges Source: Jaccar www.jaccar.net 15 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Administrative punishments on Post / Telecommunications and Radio Frequencies Document name Decree No. 142/2004/NĐ-CP Date of issuance 8/7/2004 Description Regulations on administrative punishments on violations in posts, telecommunications and radio frequencies Source: Jaccar Public services Document name Date of issuance Description Decision No. 191/2004/QĐ-TTg 8/11/2004 On establishment, organization and operations of the Viet Nam Telecommunications Public Service Fund Source: Jaccar Say ‘58’ “58”announced an ambitious and clear vision for ICT development The directive No. 58-CT/TW on “accelerating the use and development of information technology for the cause of industrialization, modernization" of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 2000 is a highlight in Vietnam public recognition of ICT development. It clearly states "Information technology (IT) is one of the most important enabling forces for development" "that creates deep changes in the social, economic and cultural life of the modern world". The document points out the 3 principal objectives for Viet Nam towards 2010: • • • IT use will be increased in every sector; The national information network will be developed to reach nationwide coverage; and IT industry will become a spearhead economic sector, with a growth rate ahead of any other sectors. In the light of these, 5 initiatives were proposed, including: • • • • • Promoting IT practice and usage for an e-Vietnam (such as e-education, e-government, ebusiness, and e-commerce); Promoting IT industrial development; Developing Internet and telecommunication infrastructures; Promoting human resources development for IT fields; Creating favorable conditions for the use and development of IT. With these 5 programs, 4 central strategic projects were set up, including: • • • • Developing the infrastructures of an e-society; Developing the infrastructures of an e-government; Developing network connection infrastructures to enhance Internet accessibility; Improving IT management performance. Directive 58 specified 5 directive opinions, 5 action initiatives and major projects for interagencies and inter-department collaboration. Pursuant to the Directive, the Government set out the primary goals for IT development and implementation. Strategy for Development of Viet Nam’s Information Technology towards 2010 and orientations towards 2020 focuses on 4 sectors: IT Infrastructures; IT Industries; IT Implementation; and IT Human resources. After 5 years implementing the strategy, in 2006, Vietnam reaffirmed the short-term initiative for Internet and telecommunication development towards 2010 based on Decision No. 32/2006/QdTTg dated 2 February 2006, approving the “Planning of Internet and telecommunication www.jaccar.net 16 TELECOMMUNICATIONS development in Viet Nam towards 2010”. The Decision comprises 4 main sections: development goals, specific criteria, directions, and resolutions. A number of targets indicated in the Planning for expanding the Internet access coverage to a national scale with enhanced quality and service availability by 2010: • An Internet subscriber rate of 8–12 per 100 (of which 30 per cent are broadband subscribers); • An Internet users rate of 25% - 35% population; • Internet accessibility for a majority of workers, intellectuals, teachers, doctors, and students of research institutes, universities, colleges and high-schools; • Enforcing nation-wide Internet literacy to district levels. Ensuring public Internet access point to 70% of villages and communes, and broadband Internet services to 100% of districts and key economic zones; • Ensuring government WAN broadband Internet connection and links for all government bodies and agencies, down to the district level; • Ensuring broadband Internet access points for all research institutes, universities, colleges, vocational schools and high-schools; more than 90% of secondary schools and hospitals having Internet connections. List of Key Projects for Development of Telecommunication and Internet in 2006-2010 planned in pursuant to Decision 32/QD-TTg: Key projects for Telecommunication and Internet between 2006-2010 Project Investment Development of Next Generation Network (NGN) Extension and increase of domestic infrastructure (Switch operation system, transmission, cabling…) Improvement and new establishment of national fiber optic and submarine cable network Universal provision of rural telephone Universal provision of rural Internet access Development of mobile sector and infrastructure Launching nation satellite Projects of international submarine cables Total Finance source Progress schedule (bn VND) 15,000 Enterprises, society, international sources 2006 – 2010 30,000 Enterprises, society, international sources 2006 – 2010 5,000 Enterprises, international sources 2006 – 2010 10,000 2,000 30,000 Enterprises, Government (USO Fund), ODA 2006 – 2010 Enterprises, Government (USO Fund), ODA 2006 – 2010 Enterprises, society 2006 – 2010 3,500 5,000 100,500 Enterprises 2007 Enterprises 2006 – 2008 Source: Jaccar The first conclusions after 10 years… Discriminating players by ISP vs. IXP licenses In Internet development history, the promulgation of Decree 21/1997/ND-CP issued in March 1997, which created the temporary legal framework for Vietnam's Internet management and application - became a premise for Internet service business to enter Viet Nam, with a reversed guideline by the government: "Development within management capacity." In November 1997, the only enterprise authorized to provide Internet eXchange Point (IXP) services is the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (VNPT), along with four Internet service providers ("ISP"), including VNPT, the Corporation for Financing and Promoting Technologies (FPT), Saigon Postel Corporation (SPT), and NetNam Corp. - Viet Nam Institute of Information Technology (NETNAM), which had permission to offer Internet services to the market. VNPT played as a monopoly With the growth of Internet, the legal frameworks and government recognition of Internet management have been fundamentally improved. The Decree No. 21/1997/ND-CP no longer met the increased needs of development. It was replaced by Decree 55/2002/ND-CP (dated 23 September 2001), which clarifies Internet management, provision and usage activities. And on 20 www.jaccar.net 17 TELECOMMUNICATIONS November 2001, Circular No. 04/2001/TT-TCBD was issued by the General Department of Post (now the Ministry of Post and Telematics), guiding the implementation of Decree No. 55/2001/ND-CP with the viewpoint of "Management within development capacity". It indicates a change in management perception, from following the Internet usage expansion to advancing the development trends of Internet activities and communities. The Decree has clearly defined all the rights, responsibilities and obligations of any parties involved in Internet-related business in Vietnam. The mind opened in 2004 Then followed the Ordinance on Posts and Telecommunications (May 2002) and Decree No. 160/2004/ND-CP, specifying the implementation of a number of Articles in Ordinance on Telecommunications (September 2004), that established a relatively open and stable legal framework for Internet and telecommunication sectors. The documents focus on specifying all services provided, those telecommunication enterprises and their relationships with the IT infrastructure solution provider and service provider; defining principles of connecting and sharing local infrastructures; affirming regulations on telecommunication registration and service fee governance. These legal updates raised the interest of non-VNPT companies to join this force of international connection and IT infrastructure business, opening new opportunities for other private enterprises in 2005. But the inter-charge of services was another barrier Regulations and guidance on inter-company charges and telecommunication service charges are specified in Decision No. 39/2007/QD-TTg and Circular No. 02/2007/TT-BTTTT. Regulations on connection charging between telecommunications companies were specified in Decision 148/2003/QD-BBCVT dated 26 August 2003 by MIC, "temporarily promulgating charges for connection between telecommunications", and its amendment is Decision No. 05/2006/QDBBCVT. MIC has made some efforts to solve interconnection problems Public telecommunications networks connection will be made upon agreed method by companies involved and will be reported to MIC. However, during implementation, disputes concerning connection quality might arise. In April 2006, Decision No. 12/2006/QD-BBCVT, which aimed at securing the quality of telecommunication networks in terms of connection, transferred volume and duration was issued by MIC. With this framework, enterprises are required to sign economic contracts on provision of capacity for interconnection, which are:1/ Telecommunications enterprises will plan, develop and implement their telecommunication networks, ensuring adequate spare capacity for interconnection with public telecommunications networks in accordance with the general planning on development of telecommunications networks and services and interconnection agreements signed between enterprises; 2/ On the basis of interconnection agreements signed between telecommunications enterprises and registered with the Ministry of Post and Telematics according to regulations, annually, enterprises will negotiate and sign contracts on provision of capacity for interconnection between public telecommunications networks in the subsequent year. The provision contracts must be signed before May 31 every year; 3/ When interconnection agreements of public telecommunications networks come into effect, telecommunications enterprises shall have to ensure the interconnection capacity as agreed upon in Interconnection Capacity Provision Contracts, and to ensure non-discrimination between internal interconnection and inter-network interconnection. Since the birth of this Decision, there was a decline in connection-related filed cases among enterprises. 7 IXPs, along a dozen of ISPs and OSP, which were granted business licenses, removed the business monopoly of VNPT, resulting in a better environment of fair and equal competition. The show must go on Decree 97/2008 was the hope for private entities Vietnam became an official member of WTO in late 2006. In order to ensure the prompt provision of Internet services, especially bandwidth ones, to create and develop a better business environment for this sector, and to simplify administrative procedures in further compliance with international and WTO's norms, Decree No. 97/2008/ND-CP on the management, provision, use www.jaccar.net 18 TELECOMMUNICATIONS of Internet services, and electronic information on the Internet was issued by the Government on 28 August 2008. The Decree has 6 chapters, with 26 articles in all, specifying detailed governance policies on Internet development; parties involved in supplying, using Internet services and electronic information over the Internet; regulations on Internet services using and providing; promulgating any usage, supply and management practices of electronic information over the Internet. Inspection and violation handling procedures: Articles involving Internet management and development policies are as follow: • • • • • • • • 1.To encourage Internet use across economic, cultural and social spectrum for productivity improvement; expansion of commercial activities; supports for administrative reform, increase of social utilities, enhancement of living standards, and national security and defense; To promote Internet development in the Party’s and the State's agencies, schools, hospitals, R&D facilities, and to raise availability of Internet access in rural, remote, border and island areas; To offer more favorable conditions for organizations and individuals providing or using Internet services, and at the same time step up Internet law propaganda, education and guidance. To take measures to stop acts of taking advantage of the Internet to affect national security, breach ethics and fine customs, violate laws, and protect children from negative impacts of the Internet; To develop the Internet with adequate high-quality services and reasonable charges in order to meet the requirements of national industrialization and modernization; To encourage the posting of information in Vietnamese on the Internet; The national domain name "vn'', Internet addresses and autonomous system numbers managed by Vietnam constitute a national information resource. They should be effectively managed, exploited and used for proper purposes. To encourage and facilitate the wide use of the national domain name ''vn'' and the generation of Internet addresses Ipv6; Confidentiality of private information of organizations and individuals on the Internet is secured under the Constitution and laws. The control of information on the Internet must be conducted by competent state agencies in accordance with law; Internet Vietnam constitutes an important component of the national information infrastructure, which is protected by law and inviolable. To ensure safety and security for equipment systems and electronic information on the Internet is the responsibility of state agencies and every organization and individual. Regarding the State management, Ministry of Information and Communication shall take responsibility for performing the state management of the Internet, including: • • • • Formulating mechanisms, policies, strategies and planning for Internet development; Submitting to the Government for promulgation or promulgating according to its competence, and guiding the implementation of, legal documents on licensing of service provision; connection; technical standards and specifications; quality, charge rates, Internet resources; information safety, licensing of electronic newspapers and publication on the Internet, and regulations on management of electronic information on the Internet; Assuming the prime responsibility for and coordinating with concerned ministries and branches and People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities in managing and enforcing laws concerning the provision and use of Internet services; establishing, providing and using electronic information on the Internet, including licensing, registration, reporting statistic, inspection, examination, handling of violation, settlement of complaints and denunciations according to its competence; Participating in international cooperation related to the Internet. www.jaccar.net 19 TELECOMMUNICATIONS The decree also has provisions on prohibited acts: • • • • Abusing the Internet for the purposes of opposing the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; Disrupting, destroying equipment systems and illegally obstructing the management, provision and use of Internet services and electronic information on the Internet; Stealing and illegally using the passwords, key words and private information of organizations and individuals over the Internet; Developing and installing computer virus programs and malicious software in order to commit any of acts specified in Article 71 of the Law on Information Technology. For electronic information and Internet services providers and users, the Decree affirms the rights and scopes of business for Internet service providers; Private Internet owners; Internet agents; Network infrastructure providers; Online social service providers and Internet service users... The Decree also has specific provisions on management, provision and use of Internet services; Management, provision and use of electronic information on the Internet. This chapter clarifies provisions on licensing and distribution of electronic newspapers, publication on the Internet, licensing of general websites... The Decree also has provisions on Inspecting, examining and handling administrative violations of any organization or individual committing or attempting to commit such violations. There are 4 circulars guiding implementation of Decree 97. Circular No. 05/2008/TT-BTTTT on the management, provision and usage of Internet services was issued in November 2008. The other 3 circulars include: Circular on management and usage of Internet resources; Circular on handling disputes regarding domain names, and Circular on guiding the implementation of Decree on electronic information management over the Internet, which is expected to issued by 1Q09. Why a new decree? It seems a bit late for small ISPs without backbone Decree No. 97 was issued in replacement of the controversial Decree No. 55, which has been left far behind Internet development speed and increased demands of the telecommunication market. Decree No. 97 has a number of updates: • • • First: from now on, the Internet services and information shall be under governance of one single government department - Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC); Secondly, although Decree No. 97 does not mention IXP and OSP, it still has clear definitions of "network infrastructure providers", to whom a "License for telecommunication services and network establishment" is granted, and of "social networking service providers" and "general web portal development". Therefore, the ISPs who had IXP licenses already shall have no much legal advantages to pure registered ISPs. All ISPs can legally connect to any Internet eXchanges (IX), such as VNIX. In reality, in the last two years, it's the framework with years of implementation and expenditures for infrastructure development, along with increasing network integration charges and decreasing user service charges, that leaves new registered ISP with no much business opportunities in this market; The third innovative point is implied in the concepts of "local loop" and "local loop unbundling". These notions came with provisions on equality and non-discrimination in providing telecommunications transmission lines, which are defined as legal obligations of a network infrastructure provider. For example, VNPT has to perform adequate local loop unbundling so that Viettel or FPT may be able to provide ADSL Internet service using VNPT land lines. However, this example also proves the feasibility flaw of the Decree, since such well-established enterprises as VNPT can provide ADSL Internet services themselves; www.jaccar.net 20 TELECOMMUNICATIONS • As for the forth point, Decree includes the definition of "online social service providers", and regulations on "management of electronic information sites" (social networks and blogs are subject to supervision). Open the door… Regulation to bind leaders So, in recent years, in order to meet development needs of the market, MIC has offered more open and smooth legislative reform initiatives. Setting tariff of services has been moved from relevant authorities – MIC - to IXP & ISP themselves. Government interference is limited in overall pricing framework and determining the service charges of dominant enterprises. This aims at improving competitiveness among businesses in terms of utilities charges for service users, protecting newly emerged companies, and assuring an anti-dumping mechanism for the sake of the market. MIC will periodically (normally by the end of each year) issue its list of services and service providers of dominant market shares and its forms of service charges control, that list will be valid from the date of issuance till the next paper. (See the latest list below, attached to Decision no. 1622 /QĐ-BTTTT dated 29/10/2008 by MIC). List of services and service providers of dominant market share and its forms of service charges control (October 2008) List of services Enterprises or a group of Forms of tariff control enterprises dominating telecommunication market shares Fixed international telephone Fixed local & long distance International leased lines Domestic leased lines Mobile services Local mobile services Internet leased line & ADSL VNPT VNPT VNPT, Viettel, EVN Telecom VNPT, Viettel, EVN Telecom Viettel, Mobiphone, Vinaphone. EVN Telecom VNPT, FPT, Viettel Reporting tariffs to MIC Reporting tariffs to MIC Registering tariffs to MIC Reporting tariffs to MIC SIM price: Reporting tariffs to MIC Initial connection charges: Reporting tariffs to MIC Subs. fees: Registering tariffs to MIC Added value fees: Registering tariffs to MIC Registering tariffs to MIC Registering tariffs to MIC Source: Jaccar Note: Being dominator if one enterprise takes more than 30% market shares, dominant group of two if they are totally taking more than 50% and group if taking more than 65% market shares. …and public quality control Along with the new hierarchy of service charging and management, professional assessment and inspection practices have been greatly improved. At the moment, the online reporting systems are developed with Internet utilization within each enterprise, bringing the full picture of Vietnam Internet development as well as that of each Internet-related business. Post-inspection procedures became more important. Posts and Telematics Quality Control Directorate (PTQC) under MIC is responsible for telecommunication quality controls, and performing annual or quarterly randomized inspection activities and publishing assessment results for Internet businesses. Implement separation on Internet and telecommunication laws enforcement at different levels of governance, from IT and telecommunications State's departments to provincial agencies, has helped increase the government supervision capacity of the local authorities as well as Internet accessibility for the people. In general, Vietnam has had positive Internet management mechanism and policies towards global integration. International development experiences and conventions had been well adapted into the Vietnam-specific scenario, including: licensing procedures, service charge control, technical infrastructure management (technical quality), and Internet resources management. Thanks to all of these efforts, the legal framework is significantly improved, promoting a more stabilized and better environment for Vietnam Internet growth. www.jaccar.net 21 TELECOMMUNICATIONS …But keep protecting with the WTO commitment Regarding the WTO commitments in Telecommunication fields, in comparison with BTA (Bilateral Trade Agreement) with the US, Vietnam adapted a more open attitude for its development. The concerned parties fall into two categories: the non-facilities-based and facilities-based services providers. Foreigners will be able to hold 49% of legal capital of the facilities-based services joint ventures • … and 51% in nonfacilities-based service businesses • Facilities-based services providers (service providers do own transmission capacity and frequency bands): Vietnam offered no further concession to what has been agreed in the US-Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement. In basic telecommunication services (such as mobile and landline telephone services, data transmission services, private leased circuit services, etc.), joint venture with telecommunications service providers duly licensed in Vietnam are allowed, of which foreign capital contribution is limited to 49% of legal capital of the joint ventures; Non facilities-based service providers (who do not own transmission capacity but contract for such capacity from a facilities-based provider): in the first three years after WTO accession, joint ventures with telecommunications service suppliers duly licensed in Vietnam will be allowed with a foreign capital contribution limited to 51% of legal capital of the joint ventures. After this three-year period, the joint venture will be allowed without limitation on choice of partner, and foreign capital contribution will not exceed 65%. As for Virtual Private Network (VPN) and telecommunication value-added services (such as electronic mail, Internet services, etc.) that major telecommunication enterprises are interested in, joint ventures will be allowed without limitation on choice of partner, with foreign capital contribution limited to 70% of legal capital of the joint ventures: • BCC is promised to transform to another favorable business form • Cross-border telecommunication services providers (international telecommunication services): For wired and mobile terrestrial services, Foreign Service providers shall through commercial arrangements provide services with an entity established in Vietnam and licensed to provide international telecommunication services for Vietnam-based customer approaches. For satellite-based services, three after WTO accession, Vietnam commits to expand its scope of clients, with a main focus on multinational companies operating in Viet Nam, if qualified, who are licensed for direct use of international satellite-based services from a foreign-base provider. Vietnam's commitments also indicate that foreign service providers shall be allowed to control fully-owned submarine cable bi-directional transmission capacity which terminate at a cable landing station in Vietnam, and to provide such capacity to international facilities-based service providers duly licensed in Vietnam (such as VNPT, VIETTEL, EVN Telecom). Four years after accession, foreign service suppliers will be allowed to provide such capacity to international VPN and IXP service providers duly licensed in Vietnam (such as FPT, VNPT, VIETTEL, EVN Telecom); Commitments in Business Cooperation Contract (BCC) conversion: In the telecommunications sector, foreign investors who have BCC could renew current arrangements or convert them into another form of establishment with terms and/or conditions no less favorable than those they are currently eligible to. So for facilities-based network services, Vietnam's commitments are still the same as that of Vietnam's BTA, which is key factor for its national defense. No enterprises will be licensed to be operator from now to 2010. This is a privilege granted to existing in-country telecommunication service providers registered in Vietnam by the Government. In 2010 and beyond, there will be further developments, depending on results of negotiation. www.jaccar.net 22 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2009 rule will be a new step but in what direction? A little opening in legal framework 2009 toward new Telecommunication Law MIC is moving towards a new Telecommunication Law, which is expected to be submitted to the Assembly in 2009, on telecommunication market-oriented management in a global integration scenario with government's regulatory role, aiming at a further improved legal system for infrastructure convergence and information development The innovative aspects of the drafted Law include: • • • • • • • Continuing to promote a competitive environment with more sectors involved, including private ones. The draft removes State-ownership limitation in facilities-based telecommunication service providers (formerly, telecommunication service providers must be those whose State capital shares are dominant); The Government has strict management policies on public utility telecommunication service providing and universalizing through the initiatives of the Vietnam public utility telecommunication service fund (VTF) and tender mechanism among parties involved in public service supply bidding; Transparent, market-oriented mechanism of resources management: using public sales and qualification procedures to select competent contractors with most effective business approaches, reducing resources wastes; Service fees and charges must comply with regional standards (formerly not applied in Vietnam); No limitation in licensing of telecommunication service supply, allowing all sectors to involve telecommunication infrastructure development. Open and transparent provisions on licensing of telecommunication service supply, if the resources are available; Promoting a shift from pre-auditing to post-auditing procedures, with special attention to service fees and quality; Enhancing management control in corporate competition and usage of shared facilities. Vietnam has recognized the implications of an effective and substantial development of telecommunication infrastructures. From a legacy of loose facilities management framework, all businesses involved in the telecommunication industry will now be able to sit down together for a more collaborative agreement on their own facilities development or their leased ones (except for a number of core systems and equipments required for sharing). MIC aims at separation of enterprise types, who are licensed and encouraged to develop telecommunication facilities constructions, for better commercialization of the field and more opportunities and development in shared facilities and station place among the business community. MIC is also to finalize regulations on service retailing, which is expected to come into effect in early 2009. The drafted law defines three types of service allowed for retailing, including landline telephone, Internet and mobile telephone. Enterprises of any economic sector are allowed to purchase landline telephone, Internet and mobile telephone services from telecommunication enterprises for selling to their end-clients. In mobile telephone services, only companies licensed to provide telecommunication services (mobile virtual network operator - MVNO) are allowed to purchase mobile telephone services from mobile facilities-based enterprises for retailing to their end-clients. Regarding the management framework, MIC is considering to a separation in policy making and enforcement divisions, and plans to establish a Telecommunication management agency, which is under governance of MIC. The main direction for Vietnam telecommunication policy is to promote a free and open market for this field. www.jaccar.net 23 TELECOMMUNICATIONS DAVID VS GOLIATH OR MICROSOFT’S GAME? Increasing number of players, but not good taste for all There are 8 IXPs, 18 ISPs, and 23 OSPs licensed for business so far. It's distinguishing the 3 types of providers mentioned above that leads to the dependencies of OSP- and ISP-specific licensed providers to IXPs, and a number of ISPs with licenses still could not develop their service business effectively: infrastructure facilities development required high capital expenditure; IXPs are operating as a monopolist group, with infrastructure leasing and international connection charges remaining high, whereas Internet service subscription has substantially declined. Therefore, it's the key players with solid infrastructure facilities and strong financial resources that keep controlling the market. List of IXPs, IPSs and OSPs Companies’ Names EVN Hanoi Telecom SaigonPostel FPT VNPT Viettel VTC QTNet NetNam OCI VNGT/NGT Vishipel Thanh Tam JSC. Hop Thanh JSC SCTV Dat Thinh VTC Telecom VIP CMC Telecom Kasati Chau Phong NEO Nam Cuu Long Southern Telecommunication JSC. Thuan Thao Tien Ve JSC IncomNet Nhan Hoa Software Development Ltd. Tien Thinh Trading and Construction Ltd. Matbao Trading and Service Ltd. GNET Co. IXP ISP OSP X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Source: MIC, 2008 Internet market share of ISPs VNPT FPT Viettel EVN SPT Netnam OCI TieNet HTC 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 01/09 02/09 65.25 21.44 1.32 48.31 27.01 8.76 4.87 5.49 1.46 6.91 7.2 1.56 0.13 0.22 44.15 26.12 17.45 0.47 5.7 4.59 1.05 0.3 0.14 47.04 19.62 16.22 10.06 4.2 1.99 0.66 0.11 0.06 54.78 16.55 15.81 4.77 3.68 1.52 2.84 0.01 0 75.78 8.39 10.05 1.27 2.99 1.12 0.29 0 0 76.62 8.34 10.26 1.29 1.98 1.13 0.27 0 0.01 Sources: VNIX, MIC As Internet needs boosting up, other broadband Internet and value-added services are expected to develop, as well as Vietnam preparation works for international competitive environment such as www.jaccar.net 24 TELECOMMUNICATIONS the country entering the gate of WTO, and Vietnam Internet service providers heading to a battle of market shares and positioning. The infrastructure and technologies at a glance Technology has caught up to the world level The infrastructure facilities mentioned in this section are the overall telecommunication infrastructure facilities of Vietnam, including the Vietnam telecommunication transmission systems and coverage. In reality, Internet service transmission to remote areas of Vietnam still relied heavily on telephone cables, GSM or CMDA mobile telephone network or satellite signals. Infrastructure expands quite fast Vietnam Internet infrastructure just started back then in 1996 with a small-scale system of equipments, and was given a data center project by a VNPT partner. With its first 64kbps connection, about 300 first users had access to the Internet world, presenting a new world of Internet to the State leaders and thus began a long run for open policies of Internet access. Now after 10 years of development, Vietnam Internet infrastructure facilities are considered as good as most state-of-the-art environments in other developed countries, satisfying almost every development demand of society. This is further assured by the large high priority investments in the fields of telecommunication and Internet. The Internet infrastructure facilities could be classified into 2 parts: IXP connection (backbone network infrastructure) and ISP connection (service infrastructure) going on from 1996 until September 2008. Teledensity was 82/100 inhabitants in 2008 One demonstration of the Vietnam infrastructure facilities development is that basic telecommunication services are available to all urban and provincial areas, 100% of communes having accessibility to telephone services, the surge of telephone subscription ratio, the highest average ratio of landline telephone subscription, which is above 40% (according to ITU sources of 2000-2007), three times higher than the Asian average ratio and 8 times higher the global one. Within the period 2004 - 2007, the number of landline telephone subscriptions increased by 18% annually, and mobile telephone subscription grew at the significant speed of 100%. By the end of 2008, the total number of telephone and mobile subscriptions had reached 79.1 million, with a teledensity of approx. 82 unit/100 resident (Source: MIC). A national satellite launched The world is witnessing an undeniable trend of technologies convergence: the industrial convergence of IT, telecommunication and electronics, within the telecommunication field is the convergence of Internet, digital contents and mobile information. In this trend, there are possibilities of unlimited expansion of Internet infrastructure facilities, thanks to the supportive wired and wireless infrastructures, along with VINASAT system and robust development of mobile telecommunication technologies. The most expected event of Vietnam telecommunication industry in 2009 is the licensing of 3G network implementation for mobile content providers, which will be settled down in the 2nd quarter of 2009 by MIC (Documentation of the license contest was released on November 5, 2008 for 7 existing mobile network operators). Then it brings very first initiatives and opportunities for Wimax development. This provides a chance to improve and enhance the broadband infrastructure facilities to meet the increased demands of multi-services industry, aiming at national technology landscape of e-commerce, e-government and inter-department digitalized connection capacities. And along with the media content industry, 3G technology brings a variety of value-added services. Be connected ! International backbone is under IXPs’ control As mentioned before, there are 7 Internet eXchange Point (IXP) service providers that came into business since the issuance of Decree No. 55/2001/ND-CP. 5 out of 7 IXPs are active players in the market. Each IXP has its own multi-dimensional routing for international Internet connection, securing required bandwidth as well as using in case of contingency. In fact, a number of incidents occurred, such as the broken marine optical cables or landline cables that led to FPT service interruption, the declined services quality from other network operators, or the connection contractual disputes among the IXPs, which resulted in the www.jaccar.net 25 TELECOMMUNICATIONS establishment of Vietnam National Internet eXchange (VNIX) by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. Yet the major issues have been settled, and international connection is now considered qualified for operation. With 3 telecommunication gateways in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, Vietnam has established Internet connections with 10 countries (United States, Japan, Hong-Kong, South Korea, China, Taiwan, Philippines and Thailand) with adequate bandwidth and contingency capacity. The connection typologies include the submarine cable systems, cross border land line connections, satellite links or regional ring connections for Viet Nam, Cambodia - Laos, Thailand, Singapore and Hong-Kong. International bandwidth capacity is increasing very fast to meet the demand There is a surge in international connection bandwidth capacity, from 1Gbps (2003) to 18 Gbps (May 2008) and 33 Gbps (October 2008), 36.7Gbps (November 2008). By the end of 2008, when VDC (Vietnam Data Communications) completed their own capacity enhancement plan of 32 Gbps, the total international bandwidth of Vietnam will reach 45 Gbps, and in 2Q09, with the completion of the Asia-America Gateway (AAG) submarine cable (joined VNPT, Viettel, Saigon Postel Corporation (SPT), FPT and other 14 international parties) and Intra Asia submarine cable, it will reach approx. 200 Gbps. Therefore, it's almost impossible for any bottleneck incidents to be caused by bandwidth shortage at the moment. In addition, with the latest servers and routers of high performance, the increased demands of bandwidth in the near future will be met. In addition, with the establishment of National Internet eXchange (VNIX), a large volume of traffic among the in-country network service providers has been shared, significantly reducing bandwidth occupied for international connection, and resulting in better national Internet connection quality. Thanks to VNIX, online services, such as video, games, e-news, etc., have gone beyond the limitation of single source of supply, reaching the end-users of other national service providers. The ISP market shares is vary, since most of ISPs are enterprises of different potentiality, performance and business strategies, contributing to a variety of network typologies and trends. There are 3 forms of Internet physical connections: 1/ direct connection to ISP network using land lines,2/indirect connection through Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and 3/wireless connection via satellite or microwave. Capacity and direction of Vietnam connections ISP/IXP Direction Capacity (Mbps) Total Capacity (Mbps) SPT HTC EVN VIETTEL FPT VNPT International Connections NTT-HONGKONG PCCW-HONGKONG HUTCHINSON-HONGKONG PCCW-HONGKONG DTAG-THUONGHAI HGC-HONGKONG TELEGLOBE-HONGKONG HGC-HONGKONG GOOGLE-HONGKONG CT-THUONGHAI CHINATELECOM PCCW T-SYSTEM CHINATELECOM GOOGLE NTT SINGTEL GOOGLE CHINANET GOOGLE-HONGKONG TELIASONERA-HK NTT-HONGKONG T-SYSTEM YAHOO-HONGKONG PCCW-HONGKONG SINGTEL (SINGAPORE) KOREATEL (KOREA) CHINANET (CHINA) NTT (JAPAN) PCCW-HONGKONG www.jaccar.net 200.0 1000.0 2.0 45.0 155.0 45.0 155.0 45.0 155.0 155.0 620.0 620.0 775.0 620.0 155.0 1550.0 155.0 155.0 5000.0 310.0 622.0 1244.0 622.0 155.0 4354.0 1860.0 155.0 4360.0 620.0 620.0 1200.0 47.0 710.0 4650.0 12307.0 31015.0 26 TELECOMMUNICATIONS VTC SPT NETNAM EVN FPT NGT HTC OCI QTSC VIETTEL VNPT VTC CMC HUTCHINSON-HONGKONG VNPT -G (HONGKONG) CHINANET (USA) T-SYSTEM (SINGAPORE) HUTCHINSON-HONGKONG HUTCHINSON-USA Domestic Connections VDC VNIX NGT VNPT EVN HTC NGT VNIX NETNAM VTC QTSC VNIX VIETTEL OCI VDC VDC EVN SPT VIETTEL NETNAM VNIX VDC FPT VDC VIETTEL FPT VINAGAME VTC VNIX NGT FPT NGT VTC OCI QTSC VNIX FPT NETNAM CMC SPT FPT VIETTEL VNIX VDC VDC 1860.0 12500.0 8120.0 920.0 90.0 45.0 135.0 100.0 4000.0 200.0 350.0 44.0 200.0 54.0 3000.0 44.0 1000.0 110.0 4000.0 6000.0 1.0 30000.0 10.0 54.0 200.0 200.0 200.0 2000.0 3.0 1.0 60.0 18.0 110.0 3000.0 1000.0 4000.0 200.0 6000.0 10.0 1110.0 3.0 60.0 5000.0 30000.0 350.0 500.0 100.0 1000.0 1000.0 2000.0 1110.0 500.0 4300.0 594.0 3098.0 41111.0 464.0 2200.0 4.0 188.0 14200.0 37133.0 5110.0 500.0 Sources: VNIX, MIC 2008 Domestic connection bandwidth has been greatly enhanced, as in below statistics. It is a positive sign of domestic digital content improvement in responding to recent increase in demands, including video streaming and online games. Especially, FPT has the highest downloading traffic compared with other IXPs due to its advantages, attraction and variety in content provided. Bandwith capacity of major IXPs and ISPs Enterprise VNPT FPT Viettel EVN SPT HPT VTC International bandwidth Domestic bandwidth through VNIX 19.4 Gbps 5.59 Gbps 4 Gbps 555 Mbps 145 Mbps 4 Mbps 5 Gbps 5 Gbps 3 GBps 3 Gbps 4 GBps 2 Gbps 2 Gbps Sources: MIC,VNNIC 2008 www.jaccar.net 27 TELECOMMUNICATIONS The total domestic Internet connection bandwidth is 68 Gbps, with hundreds of kilometers of cross-country fiber optic network and PoPs of VNPT/VDC, Viettel, EVN Telecom reaching all 63 urban and provincial areas. The direct connections to these IXP are ISPs with 2 bandwidth capacity, one for domestic traffic and the other for international traffic. As defined in Decree No. 55/2001/ND-CP, all ISPs may have at least 2 POPs in different regions, and most of them chose Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City, and as a result, there are only 2 or 3 ISPs left for Hai Phong, Da Nang, Hue, etc. (most of them belong to VNPT, Viettel, and FPT), and the remaining areas are under VNPT service coverage. This unbalanced situation, again, led to rudimentary network systems of most ISP (excepts for those of VNPT), with primary functions of network access, and their inter-POP transferring systems and distribution networks depending on leased services from major IXPs This is optimal choice for ISPs first entering the market, but will be a great handicap for these ISPs when they escalade to higher levels of development, showing a geographically uneven development within the nation. The new Decree No. 97/2008 eliminates those limitations by suggesting IXP (ISP has infrastructure facilities) to adequate local loop unbundling for other ISPs and giving the equal chance to all ISPs to connect with any Internet eXchange (IX). But the positive impact of this reform may be seen by 2009. Meanwhile, normal ISPs still seek the chance to get a license for telecommunication services and network establishment in order to gain initiative in network development and expand service types. The newest license is granted to CMC TI (an joint-stock of CMC Telecom and SCIC) by the beginning of February 2009. Access abilities, the international requests already applied New types of digital convergence services are offered The most popular services provided by ISPs includes: Broadband connection subscription such as ADSL, Leased-line, Wifi, Dial-up (via telephone line), CaTV/IPTV (TV via Internet connection), VoIP, VPN. With the existing infrastructure and capacity, some big ISPs also provide related services like webhosting, server hosting and domain. The growth of subscription volume depends largely on each enterprise's capacity in physical infrastructure facilities development. There are clients who want to be service subscribers but they are denied or are kept waiting by the providers due to insufficiency of POP, cables network, access ports or the area is occupied by other competitors. Therefore, the most challenging issue for existing ISPs in subscription boosting is the infrastructure facilities development and coverage expansion. In fact, the two biggest operators, VNPT and Viettel, thanks to advantage in infrastructure investment and finance, have well-established physical infrastructure facilities. While EVN concentrates more on leased-line and IXP services, their retail market via infrastructure of the existing electrical cable systems has not been improved. FPT Telecom (a subsidiary of the listed FPT Corporation) has shown its proactive approaches but only focused in a few big cities with a high density and added value by premium services like FTTH or iTV. Other smaller providers have not yet found their own solutions for the issue of expansion and are still dependant on renting the network infrastructure from IXPs. Don’t forget the ‘.vn’ IPv6 is encourged Network resources usage should be given more attention. Although all Vietnam ISPs and IXPs have been allocated IP addresses by VNNIC for their development needs, their planning ability for effective address usage is still limited, and there are lots of issues existing. For example there are only 3 service providers currently using dynamic routing technologies for routing services, and the rest are focusing on static routing through one provider, which means low levels of error tolerance and contingency. The usage ratio of existing resources is relatively low in comparison with that of other countries in the region. The resources are under poor governance, the start of new generation IP technology (IPv6), with supportive and encouraging policies from relevant authorities and the government (Directive No. 03/2008/CT-BTTTT by Minister of MIC dated May 20078), has made a surge in IPv6 usage. www.jaccar.net 28 TELECOMMUNICATIONS The number of IP addresses being used has partially represented the Internet infrastructure network scale and the capability of utilizing Internet-based services and products. ADSL services is the reason for a high volume of IP addresses used, the newly established ISPs are also in need of IP addresses, even though the IP addresses registered have been doubled each year, and our country now has only 1777 C-Class IP addresses, which means 6.6 times lower than Korea, 40 times lower than China, and 1.2 lower than Thailand. It should be noted that IPv6 has been used in these countries since 2003, whereas Vietnam has only tested and used this type of IPs since 2007. At the moment, the IP ownership fee in Vietnam is generally lower than other Asian countries. From what happened in other developing countries, Vietnam will keep its strong growth in infrastructure facilities in the next 5 years before reaching a substantial development stage. Roadmap for IPv6 generation October 2008: May 2008: On 21 October 2008, Vietnam Internet Network Information Center (VNNIC) promulgated the decision No. 177/QD-VNNIC on issuing IPv6 addresses for the Corporation for Financing and Promoting Technology (FPT). FPT is the 23rd member of VNNIC who was allocated IPv6 addresses in Vietnam VNNIC's IPv6 networks is ready for enterprises and organizations who are in needs of IPv6 connection. Ministry of Information and Communication has issued directive No. 03/2008/CT-BTTTT on speeding up the use of IPv6 Internet addresses. VNNIC established their IPv6 connection with APNIC. VNNIC and QTSC signed a memorandum for IPv6 connection experiments. Source: VNIX, MIC Internet domain names also indicated the socialization level of Internet among communities. Regulations and legal procedures regarding domain names have been defined in Information Technology Act (Article 23) and Decree no. 63/2007/ND-CP dated 10 April 2007 by the Government. According to recent statistical data (October 2008), the quantity of domain names registered is 87,377 (.VN) and about 10,000 500 general top-level domain names (gTLD: .com, .net, org, etc.) were registered by individuals, organizations and domestic enterprises. If IP addresses are considered background parameters for Internet infrastructure development, then domain names are measurements of Internet usage skills. Domain names represent the application addresses that traditional users utilize. If there are only a few domain names existing, it means poor performance of online service as well as lack of information exchanges and userfriendliness. Number of Internet domain names is increasing Except for speculators, Internet domain names also tell us about the socialization of Internet of a nation, for example defining how many services are available, which products and information offered, and how Internet users can search for domain names matching their needs. In many countries, an individual could legally own 2 or more domain names. For developed countries, there are 4 to 8 persons with ccTLD domain names registered for every 100 people. This ratio in member countries of Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is 2, and Vietnam's just started at 0.00015. To be more specific, there are only 44,000 .com.vn domain names for estimated millions of individuals and commercial organizations in Vietnam which is a relatively modest figure. This is certainly a simplified comparison, yet to be a worthy consideration to get a full picture of the market. www.jaccar.net 29 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Statistics of domain name .vn Domain Name Quantity Total Domain Name com.vn gov.vn int.vn edu.vn ac.vn net.vn org.vn name.vn pro.vn biz.vn health.vn info.vn layer 2 domain .vn 90189 44710 827 12 1955 64 1450 1210 52 74 328 24 199 39284 % 100% 49.57% 0.92% 0.01% 2.17% 0.07% 1.61% 1.34% 0.06% 0.08% 0.36% 0.03% 0.22% 43.56% Statistic of global domain name Domain Name Quantity com gov int edu ac pro biz net org name health info Total 2321 1 1 2 1 2 12 239 107 0 0 32 2718 % 85.39% 0.04% 0.04% 0.07% 0.04% 0.07% 0.44% 8.79% 3.94% 0.00% 0.00% 1.18% 1 Source: UPTO, December 2008 Source: UPTO, December 2008 Domain names are getting more popular and contributing to a variety of Vietnamese websites. Yet the .com domain names are misused and lead to domain name thieves, web hacking and complicated conflicts and disputes. Digital divide also appears in the domain development where 92% domain name .vn is registered by the subject located in Hanoi and HCMC. The service quality, a priority More focus on service quality The service quality offered usually depends on the number of clients simultaneously accessing the network and ports, the quality of connection leased from IXPs, and the quality of network equipments being used, etc., which substantially vary from case to case. Yet the ISPs' ability to ensure the quality of services provided to their clients remains questionable. For better protection of users' rights, MIC has issued the ADSL Internet Access Service - Quality of Service standard TCN 68-227:2006, which defined 9 criteria for service quality and minimum levels of required quality for registered providers. The most important indicators are Average speed of data transmission and Time for setting up service. For average speed of data transmission, all providers must assure the average speed of data transmission of the same network (websites hosted by the service providers) is at least 80% and at least 60% for other networks (websites by third-party providers) in comparison with the defined transmission speed (the service speed indicated in the service agreements). Even though there's usually no provision on this transmission speed in service agreements, all providers are required to comply with such quality standards. As for criteria of time for establishing service: According to the TCN 68-227:2006, all providers will have to have 90% of signed contracts with time for setting up service falling within the required range as follow: As for those with available subscription telephone line, the time for setting up service will not exceed 05 working days; In case of no subscription telephone line available, the time for setting up service will not exceed 12 working days for urban and provincial areas, and 20 days for other areas. In case of being unable to sign the service agreement as requested by the clients, the providers will within 3 business days inform the requested clients of their refusal of service provision in written, and clearly state their reason(s) for refusal. For service quality management of telecommunication in general and ADSL Internet services in particular, MIC promulgated "The regulation on management of the quality of post and telecommunications services" (Decision No.33/2006/QD-BBCVT on September 6, 2006). According to the Decision, all relevant providers will have to announce the minimum required quality of telecommunications services (which must not contravene or be lower than the compulsory standards), and have to assure the service quality announced. The government agencies (including the Ministry of Post and Telematics’ Telecommunications and Information Technology Quality Control Bureau, and Departments of Post and Telecommunication of each province) will be responsible for inspecting, supervising and enforcing disciplinary penalties to any providers that compromised the published quality of services. In addition, the levels of www.jaccar.net 30 TELECOMMUNICATIONS service quality announced by the providers as well as their quality testing results are also available on the official website of the Ministry of Posts and Telematics's Quality Control Bureau at http://www.ptqc.gov.vn/ The published quality (such as terminal bandwidths) is only for statistical purposes, which is much higher than the actual downloading capacity on user side, regardless of factors such as frame-relay, error tolerance, supporting features, etc. In October 2007, the Ministry's Quality Control Bureau carried out a non-scheduled quality inspection of the ADSL Internet services of Viettel, VDC and FPT. According to the ADSL service measurement results of VDC/VNPT, the average speeds of data transmission of the same network for Extra, Maxi, and Pro packages did not meet the national standards TCN 68-227:2006. As for time for establishing service, VDC/ VNPT reached only 60.11%, whereas the required indicator is 90% or more. The average speed of external network data transmission of the Mega Style package offered by the second largest ADSL service provider, FPT Telecom, was also found to be substand. Both VDC and FPT were fined by MIC (as defined in decree no. 55). The incident had a great impact on today's trend of Internet service improvement, urging other service providers to pay more attention to their service quality and commitment to their clients. Later on, in November, in a seminar on "cooperation in Internet service improvement in Vietnam", 5 providers VNPT, Viettel, EVN Telecom, SPT and NetNam participated, came to a commitment in enhancement of infrastructure facilities, transmission capacity, and service quality improvement. The recent quality check by MIC at VNPT, Viettel, and NetNam services has shown positive signs of improvement: all criteria for service quality are met by Viettel and VNPT, except for 4 out of 7 ADSL service packages of NetNam which are still lower than expected standards. However, increasing domestic and international broadband connection needs, along with international Terabit fiber-optic cable network projects of VNPT/VDC, FPT, Viettel, SPT, and EVN Telecom, has indicated efforts of providers in their commitment to service quality enhancement. Service providers are applying new technologies in their facilities The infrastructure is prepared for new highend services Moreover, Vietnam's enterprises are also quickly approaching and applying new development technologies for network infrastructures to further improve their service efficiency and quality. Since December 2003, a new generation of telecommunication network, the NGN, has been implemented and came into operation by VNPT. The NGN are utilized and developed by Vietnam network operators (VNPT, EVN, Viettel, and FPT Telecom) for more services available to their clients. In late 2008, VNPT and EVN telecom would basically complete their NGN/MPLS infrastructure. The NGN-based networks are the right approaches for broadband Conclusion: There's a significant improvement in domestic information availability. In the past, most of Internet communications were downloaded from foreign sources. But now things have changed, and domestic communications through Internet have been increased in comparison with the international connection. For example, with VNPT, the total international communication volume is approx. 32Gbps, and the domestic communication volume (through VNIX) has reached 7.5Gbps, which accounts for one third of the former indicator. For FPT, the ratio sometimes was higher than 1 (due to clients from other IXPs using FPT's online services through VNIX). These figures proved that domestic sources of information are getting more attraction, especially with the users have more chance to use high-end services, such as online video, high-quality VoIP, online games, etc. There's also a boost of websites with Vietnamese contents, enriching information and redirecting the sources for retrieving, resulting in more cost-effective international bandwidth for providers. This is also a positive strategic shift of content development by Vietnam's ISPs and OSPs. www.jaccar.net 31 TELECOMMUNICATIONS The ‘Pac Man’ game VNPT seized 75% of Internet market share Just a reminder, in Vietnam, there are 13 active Internet service providers, including VNPT, Viettel, FPT Telecom, EVN Telecom, SPT, NetNam, OCI, Tiennet and HPT, CMC, QTSC, VTC, NGT. 3 dominant providers - VNPT, FPT Telecom and Viettel - account for more than 90% market share. The second group of EVN Telecom, SPT, NetNam takes less than 5%. And 7 other providers (OCI, Tiennet and HTC, CMC, QTSC, VTC, NGT) stand for only 1% with a deep decline in market shares in the last 4 years. ADSL market seems to be just the battle of 3 key players. Among those, VNPT seizes the absolute domination with over 75% market share. Market share in ADSL Market share in ADSL 1.27% 2.99% 8.39% 10.05% 1.12% 0.4% VNPT FPT Viettel EVN 75.78% SPT Netnam Others Source: MIC FPT and Viettel run behind The situation showed that it's the service providers with smaller scale infrastructure facilities that are losing in this market share battle. Enterprises are discriminated by IXP licenses and criteria for licensing. Many enterprises have ISP licenses, but could not join the market due to connection charging difficulties as mentioned in previous sections. It is a fact that MIC have had to adjust its Internet management policies to ensure better business conditions for Internet service providers without well-established infrastructure facilities, otherwise they could hardly survive. It's not only small and medium providers that witnessed their market share falling. Among three key players of Internet service market, FPT has also suffered from this drop in market share, leaving its second leading position to Viettel. In 2004, FPT accounts for 27% of Internet service market, but in December 2008, the figure fell sharply to 8.39%. Meanwhile, Viettel showed a breakthrough in market share, increasing from 8.76% in 2004 to 15.81% in 2007, followed by FPT, but its market dropped dramatically in 2008 to 10%, yet higher than that of FPT. However, according to recent polls of most favorite products of information technology telecommunication in 2008 by PC World, the VNPT' ADSL Internet services has been chosen as the most preferred service by consumers (with 41% of votes). FPT Telecom came in second (with 38%), and Viettel, the third one (19%). Biggest ISPs set the high target for 2008, VNPT won At the moment, these 3 major providers are strengthening their own advantages for increasing subscriber numbers. VNPT moves their focus into vertical development and expansion of their existing services, aiming at higher service quality. The expected volume of subscription of this provider is around 1.3m subscribers. FPT chose to enforce their Internet-based value-added services, especially the IPTV (Internet Protocol Television). FPT’s number of ADSL subscriber just reached 330,000 by 2008. As for Viettel, they looked closely into their service rates and offered cheap price and promotion. Viettel took the second position from FPT, getting 360,000 subscribers in 2008 while they had only expected about half of this number in Jan 2008. The www.jaccar.net 32 TELECOMMUNICATIONS limitation in investment in back-up network, hence, reacting the disconnected problem in international transmission, is the cause for FPT losing position. EVN took some part in leased line market Like context in retail market, VNPT is still dominating local leased line circuit thanks to their advantages of network coverage and service quality. Market shares in local leased-line circuit Market shares in international leased line circuit 2% 6% 54% 16% 19% VNPT Viettel 76% Source: MIC, Jaccar VNPT Viettel EVN EVN SPT 27% Source:MIC, Jaccar Short resumes VNPT: Goliath VNPT is the biggest telecommunication player VNPT is the first established telecommunication group in Vietnam and has been the leader of Vietnam telecommunication market ever since. According to VNR500 (Top 500 leading enterprises of Vietnam by the Vietnam Report, published in November 2008 -based on latest statistical data from 150,000 enterprises nation-wide collected by relevant government's agencies (General Statistics Office, General Department of Taxation, and General Customs Department of Vietnam, etc.)), VNPT belongs to the top 10 names of the list. In 2007, VNPT has ranked second in the top 20 largest enterprises of Vietnam by United Nations Environment Program (UNDP). www.jaccar.net 33 TELECOMMUNICATIONS VNPT organization VNPT 61 Provincial and Local PTTs State owned subsidiaries • Vietnam Telecom National (VTN) • Vietnam Telecom International (VTI) • Vietnam Data Corporation (VDC) • Vietnam Telecom Services Corp. (GPC) • Vietnam Mobile Telecom Services (VMS) Joint Ventures • VN-Telstra • VN-Korea Telecom • Vina Daesung Cable • Optical Fiber Mfr • VN-Alcatel • VN-Siemens • VN-Fujitsu • VN-NEC • Etv Other Telecom -related Companies • VN Telecom Equipment • P&T Construction • P&T Finance • Equipment Installation • Telecom Manufacturing Other Lines of Businesses • Construction • Tourism • Consulting • Import • Insurance • Engineer • Printing Source: VNPT VNPT is the biggest telecom corporate with a workforce of 90,000 and more than 60 years experience and development. In January 2006, VNPT shifted to the consortium-type mechanism by the Prime Minister's decision, with strategic objectives of becoming a key multi-service business player of Vietnam and a main focus in IT - Posts - Telecommunication. VNPT is the first player of the market who has sufficient licenses for infrastructure facilities development and telecommunication service operations. VNPT owns all state-ofart infrastructure facilities and the widest outlet network Until 2005, VNPT was the only monopoly-oriented state-owned enterprise with dominating business in telecommunication infrastructures and international connection. (Viettel and EVN started their infrastructure facilities for domestic and international transmission services and businesses in early 2005). VNPT was assigned the first telecommunications satellite project of Vietnam (VINASAT) in 2005, and was responsible for VINASAT's network operation, implementation and business since its successful launch in April 2008. VNPT's "Commune Cultural Post Offices" initiative has been implemented in 1998 in a national scale. In 2005, VNPT completed its telephone networks that cover 100% of communes and villages in the country. By November 2008, VNPT has had 44.5 million. (approx. 58.2%) out of 76.5 million. telephone subscribers of the whole country, in which 30 million are mobile telephone subscribers (from Vinaphone and Mobifone, accounting for 52% market shares of mobile telephone market), and more 10 million landline telephone subscribers (taking 95% market shares). Since early last year, VNPT has had new 16.8 million voice telephone and 15.9 million mobile telephone subscribers. The leading position of VNPT was shown in the chart at the beginning of this section. www.jaccar.net 34 TELECOMMUNICATIONS VNPT income statement (2001-2010) 70000 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Revenue PBT Source: VNPT VDC (Vietnam Data Communications, which was founded in 1989 as an affiliated company of the Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Group (VNPT), is the largest ISP of Vietnam. VDC/VNPT expanded its capacity three times last year According to latest statistics updated by October 2008, the total international Internet bandwidth of VDC has reached 19.399 Mbps (19 Gbps) - surpassing any connection capacity offered by other ISPs so far. VDC has ensured connection directions to almost all of the world through its main channels to the United States of America, Singapore, Japan, Hong-Kong, Korea, and China, which are available in two cable systems: CSC in-land fiber cables (50%), and marine cables (50%). The domestic connection bandwidth had reached 7.5Gbps, and Internet/VNN services are available to 100% of urban and provincial areas. For one month (September - October 2008), VDC has put its new channels into operation, including four 155Mbps ones to Hutchison (HongKong), two 2.5Gbps to the U.S., and one 2.5Gbps to China. As forecasted, VDC will implement 5 more 2.5Gbps channels for U.S. and European connections, increasing its total international Internet connection bandwidth to 31Gbps. Therefore the Internet/VNN network services managed and operated by VDC/VNPT will secure its leading position in international Internet connection bandwidth in Vietnam. Growth rate of VDC was 24% in 2007-2008 VDC's gross revenue of 2007 is reported at more than VND 820 bn (equivalent to USD 51 m), 24% increase compared with that of 2006, and standing at the top of Internet enterprises of Vietnam (0.4% higher than the previous year). The Internet service subscription volume of VDC/VNPT was 2.8 mil. in 2007, and had risen to 15.667 mil. in October 2008. VDC's MEGA VNN ADSL Internet service package was the first of its kind introduced to Vietnam market in 2003. According to VDC, the number of MegaVNN subscribers has reached 1.32 million by the end of 2008, with a total indirect Internet connection volume of 1.9 billion minutes, accounting for 60% of the total market shares. MEGA VNN is among the most popular Internet service packages in Vietnam. In 2007 and 2008, MEGA VNN won the award of most favorite ITC product of Vietnam by PCWORLD magazine's readers. Revenue of Mega VNN services reached VND 1763 bn, grew by 184%. VDC is looking forward to a total subscription of MegaVNN service of 2 million in 2009. www.jaccar.net 35 TELECOMMUNICATIONS VDC is now offering the following Internet service packages: • • • For clients classified as individuals or households: Mega Easy or Mega Family; For entrepreneurial clients: Mega Extra, Mega Maxi +, Mega Pro, and Mega Dreaming: better responses to trading and communication needs of enterprises with frequent international and domestic connections; high-speed access, minimum operational costs, thanks to Internet-based integrated technologies and value-added applications, such as Internet, Video on demand, Video Conference,... Free static IP address for Mega Maxi +, Mega Pro, and Mega Dreaming packages. Especially, the Mega Dreaming packages come with minimum connection speed guaranteed; For public Internet access and online game providers: Mega Maxi and Mega For Game. Along with service quality and bandwidth volume enhancement, VDC currently has more plans for Internet-based value-added services, such as E-learning, which is an Internet source of online university and high school examination, and English learning materials, and MegaGames service, which is for online games for MegaVNN subscribers, online payment and sales services of VDC, online movie streaming services, megapayment, e-office, etc. In 2006, VDC signed 2 IP-VPN service providing contracts with 2 major telecommunication enterprises - KDDI Group and NTT Coms. VDC is the top candidate for Wimax license VDC has successfully tested the fixed Wimax networks (with supports from Intel and USAID) in Lao Cai province, and started the experimental Wimax-based mobile network with its partner, Motorola, in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. VDC is now the top candidate for Wimax licenses. VDC is also promoting its development plans for metroNet and NGN-based applications. FPT, Viettel, Saigon Postel, Netnam and EVN Telecom: David (s) FPT is the most dynamic player • FPT: Founded in 1988 with initial business objects in software and technical application development, FPT was granted ISP license in 1997 and IXP in December 2006. FPT Tel has a remarkable growth rate and has the second largest market share in Internet service, after VDC, but the fastest growing provider of multi-service applications. FPT has also provided the FTTH services as the pioneer, and started its NGN Softswitch operator. Joined AAG and to have about 40Gbps international bandwidth in early 2009, yet FPT is subject to bandwidth leasing agreements with other IXPs. Regarding ADSL, FTTH services, FPT Tel focuses on infrastructure facilities development in major city of high population density. FPT Tel targets to share the leadership in local leased line with VDC, approx. 40%. FPT is boosting its advantages in VoD, IPTV, television, and data transmission services. The FPT's Vnexpress.net website has been on the list of top hit websites, with significant online advertisement profitability. Its ratio of telecommunication service profits remains high. Supported by Ministry of Defense, Viettel grew so quickly • Viettel: As a telecommunication enterprise of the national department of defense founded in 2001, Viettel has quickly grown and become a successful image of the telecommunication market. As for mobile telephony, Viettel Telecom has the second largest market share of 20 million subscribers, of which voice subscribers account for 34%, preceded only by VNPT. In 2008, the total number of ADSL service subscribers of Viettel Telecom rose to 2 million, approx 10% of the market, taking the second position after VNPT/VDC. Its fiber-optic cable system of 58,000km length now covers almost all communes, with 400Gb/s fiber optic backbone network and international bandwidth of 14.2Gb/s. The group also has Viettel Telecom branches in all provinces. With local support by those branches, the company plans to lay more 60,000 km fiber optic to expand the coverage of services www.jaccar.net 36 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Saigon Postel and Netnam focus on niche market EVN Telecom seems misstep in the race • Saigon Postel: Saigon Postel was established in 1995, joined the Internet service market in 1997 and was granted its IXP license in December 2006, and is currently providing landline telephone, VoIP and mobile telephone services. SPT is the pioneer in cybercafé market with a relatively stable ADSL service market in Ho Chi Minh City. • Netnam: Founded in 1994, the company is first of its kind, bringing Internet to Vietnam. With the supports from IDRC, Canada, Netnam started with local bulletin-board service (BBS) for foreign and national agencies and experts in Vietnam. Later in November 1997, it became one of the first four ISPs of Vietnam. Netnam's CEO, Mr. Tran Ba Thai, is the most influential person in the course of Internet development of Vietnam. At the moment, the main services provided by Netnam include Internet ADSL, leased line, Intranet, webhosting, e-learning, e-commerce, and VoIP. The company is now focusing on its Internet service offerings and solutions for ministerial and local authorities. In 2006, it became the solutions provider for de luxe hotels in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. However, the group has certain disadvantages compared with other ISPs since they do not have IXP license. That's why Netnam's Internet service business has certain limitations due to infrastructure facilities dependency. • EVN Telecom: Founded in 1995 EVN Telecom is a member of Electricity of Vietnam Group (EVN). After few years of silence, EVN Telecom got full licenses in 2004 and started to enter the public telecom sector. For network capacity, EVN telecom now has over 40,000 km optical cables covering all provinces with 2 core backbone and 3,600km of 2x2.25Gbps Optical fiber composite overhead ground wire (OPGW) along 500KV Power Line from North to South of Vietnam. Inter-provincial optical network is about 7,500km. EVN Telecom has about 10Gbps international land line and expects to increase up to 50 Gbps after completion of Intra Asia submarine cable system. A bit later VNPT, in last November, EVN Telecom has announced the accomplishment of the IP-based virtual network services connection (IP-VPN) as the collaboration contract with HGC (Hutchison Global Communications), a member of Hutchison Telecom. However, as MIC opens the playground of telecom transmission business, EVN Telecom will face a lot of difficulties while their sales force is not strong and active enough. Who will be the winner? From the competition view, Internet - telecommunication market could be divided into 3 segments: segment for consumers (retailing), segment for enterprises and organizations using leased-line services, and segment for universal services. ADSL Retail Broadband: from coverage expansion to pricing war, but quality is still a question ADSL retail broadband is the most profitable piece The market movements depends on a number of factors: transmission capacity of infrastructure facilities, including the number of PoPs, connection portals; marketing and business strategies, distribution networks, and the methods of identifying target markets. In addition, the most crucial criteria are service pricing and quality. In general, VNPT/VDC is the enterprise with most advantages. It has solid experience and privileges in infrastructure facilities, distribution networks, and wide-spreading organizational structure: operating companies specializing in international connection management and satellite transmission lines and the nation satellite system –VINASAT (VTI), another affiliated company with main business focuses on inter-provincial telecommunication infrastructure development (VTN), with a network of 63/63 posts and telecommunication departments in all provinces and cities, and preferable conditions to develop their own network infrastructure facilities and VNN subscription. VNPT also has more than 2000 post offices and 8000 points of commune posts. Besides that, VNPT concentrated on its network expansion on a nation-wide scale, continuing to speed up the connection capacity advancement, both internationally and domestically, enforcing www.jaccar.net 37 TELECOMMUNICATIONS their marketing campaign and making their ADSL services available to almost all regions. VNPT's superior advantages in network coverage and infrastructure facilities are the reasons for its significantly high market shares of ¾ the Vietnam market. Very fierce competition among ISPs The Internet service fees have been lowered dramatically since 2001. Since the first ADSL service became available, there has been fierce competition among ISPs for market shares, with lots of service promotional campaigns for bigger number of subscribers. ISPs offer the wide range of ADSL packages At the moment, ADSL bandwidth and subscription fees have become as low as other countries of the region. The largest ISP has adopted a common business model of ADSL services with 2 separate service package offerings, one for enterprises and the other for home-use clients. Each of these offered packages has a wide range of connection speed for client's choice of subscription. The service packages offered to enterprises usually comes with higher service charges and connection speeds, with or without committed information rate (CIR) on bandwidth. The strategy of tariff and speed selection may reflect the business strategy of involved corporations. Below is the ADSL service package structure table of VNPT, which is widely adopted by other ISPs for their Internet tariff mechanism, including maximum usage charge, volume-based charge, and flat charge. Mega VNN quotation sheet 1 (Individuals or households) Mega Easy Mega Family Maximum Speed (Download/Upload) Minimum Speed (Download/Upload) 1. Volume-based Charge Subscription charge (VND/month) - Cost per 01 Mb transfer (VND/MB) Maximum usage charge 2. Flat-Charge IP address Email account Mega Extra 1 Mbps/512 kbps 1.5 Mbps/512 kbps 2 Mbps/512 kbps No Guarantee No Guarantee No Guarantee 24,000 35,000 48 48 300,000 250,000 Dynamic IP 1 450,000 350,000 Dynamic IP 1 82,000 Mega Maxi 3 Mbps/ 640kps No Guarantee 165,000 First 6000 Mb:55 First 6000 Mb: 55 Next Following Next Following Mb: 41 Mb: 41 700,000 1,100,000 550,000 900,000 Dynamic IP Dynamic IP 1 1 Source VDC/VNPT Mega VNN quotation sheet 2 (business households or enterprises ) Mega Maxi + Mega Pro Mega for Game Mega Maxi Maximum Speed (Download/Upload) 3Mbps/640Kbps 4Mbps/640Kbps 6Mbps/640Kbps Minimum Speed (Download/Upload) No Guarantee No Guarantee No Guarantee 300,000 500,000 600,000 2,000,000 40 45 First 10 Gb: 450 Next Following Gb: 350 2,272,727 1,818,181 1 Free Static IP 4 Others Available Upon Registration 1 3,000,000 2,500,000 15,000,000 10,000,000 Dynamic IP 8 Free Static IP 1 1 1. Volume-based Charge Subscription charge (VND/month) - Cost per 01 Mb transfer (VND/MB) Maximum usage charge 2. Flat-Charge IP address Email account First 6000MB: 50 Next 6000 MB: 45 Next Following Mb: 40 1,818,181 1,454,545 1 Free Static IP 1 8Mbps/640Kbps 256 Kbps/192 Kbps Source VDC/VNPT Viettel prefers cheap price stratedy Viettel has still focused on their strategy of competitive pricing with service packages of low to medium connection speeds: the lowest one is 1024Kbps/512Kbps (for household clients), and highest one 3072Kbps/640Kbps (for enterprises). For a service package of similar speed, the flat charge offered by Viettel is usually lower by 6-10%. www.jaccar.net 38 TELECOMMUNICATIONS FPT chooses premium services strategy Whereas, FPT choses its own way in high-end and premium service segments. The lowest-charge service package of FPT is 3072Kbps/512Kbps (for households), highest is 4096Kbps/640Kbps with the CIR of 192Kbps/128Kbps (for enterprises) and 5120Kbps/640Kbps with no CIR (for home users). And FPT clients can also enjoy other value-added and online entertainment services from this ISP, such as iTV (Internet-based television service) or other recreation offers from FPT's service portals. FPT's tariffs are also 20 - 40% higher than that of VNPT, and usually offered with 3 email accounts. FPT is the first corporation providing the FTTH high-speed Internet service with packages offered ranging from 6Mbps to 12Mbps and they are also the pioneer to provide Triple Play service. But as indicated in the VNPT's service charge table, its service packages are offered on a wide range of connection speeds, from 1Mbps/512Kbps to 8Mbps/640Kbps. As a leading service provider of the market, VNPT are offering a variety of choices to its clients, including lowestcharge package as Viettel's and premium packages as FPT's (except for FTTH-based services), and recently the MetroNet service packages available in major cities. But no one can assure quality provided In fact, the actual connection speeds stated in ADSL service quotations could not truly reflect the quality of offered services, which is just the ‘maximum’ of download/upload speed at a specific condition of traffic. A technical factor that might affect user access speeds is the ISPs' traffic volume management and control methods through their settings of Class of Service (CoS) and Quality of Service (QoS)i. And these indicators remain unpublished or the service providers might alter them for their specific technical approaches. ADSL service users in Vietnam have never quite satisfied with the quality of ADSL services, most them considering it acceptable or not. Even in case of high service density in specific regions (usually in period of massive promotional campaigns), the quality is greatly compromised due to unmatched development of infrastructure facilities and bandwidth capacity required for such expansion. And this could explain why VDC/VNPT is still the dominant player in the market, thanks to its wide network of services, well-established infrastructures, enriched ADSL service packages of reasonable charges, largest distribution networks (local agents and post-offices), and its ownership of best service brand secured by highest international bandwidth volume (accounting for 70% of Vietnam total bandwidth). Different views on technology selection for broadband development Different ideas for technology trend of broadband development For the strategy to develop broadband infrastructure, contrary to VNPT’s one that focuses on fiber optic and 3G mobile network, Viettel cites their own success on mobile business by reducing price for increasing subscribers. Aiming at cost reduction, Viettel recommends deploying wireless Internet via Wimax technology with lower capital expenses and quicker deployment. Other smaller ISP also agree with this opinion and are speeding up trials, hence they can launch services right after being licensed VNPT likes 3G and fiber optic network VNPT announced its USD2 bn investment in 2008-2009 for broadband infrastructure facilities (3G-based mobile telephone and fiber-optic networks), with its ambition of monopolizing the Internet market. Viettel supports Wimax idea However, service quality is the greatest concern of the users, the actual Internet broadband connection is still of low speed, instability, especially to clients of home packages or in provincial areas. High quality-requested services like VPN and Video conference that the government encourages to apply in ministries, state divisions and branches may not be deployed easily. Regarding the solutions for broadband infrastructure facilities, contradicting with the VNPT's focuses on 3G-base mobile telephone and fiber optic networks, Viettel has cited its success in the mobile telephone networks with a strategy of low service charges for more subscribers. Aiming at low cost of investment, Viettel recommended the wireless Internet services using Wimax technology for its low cost of installation and quick deployment. Other smaller ISPs also share the same idea, and are conducting trial procedures for immediate launch of that service right after being licensed by MIC. www.jaccar.net 39 TELECOMMUNICATIONS The war of ‘supporting the education in Vietnam’ Education became the hottest battle Viettel signed the agreement with MoET The strategic approach to the educational field, with its wide-spread networks and increased demands of Internet usage, is internationally accepted as an effective, sustainable PR initiative, and this is also a potential, stable market. With a dynamic and quick adaptive mechanism, soon after the MoET launched "The School Year of IT Application 2008-2009" program, Viettel had signed a collaborative agreement with ICT Department on the deployment of an educational network. According to this agreement, earlier in this school year of IT application, Viettel will provide broadband Internet connection services, leased line services using fiber optic cable systems with preferential prices for educational fields. Viettel has its official supports from the MoET with the official dispatches, which inform and promote Viettel's broadband connection initiatives, from MoET to all nation-wide educational units and facilities. At the moment, the Ministry has two leased lines, an international 2-Mbps connection and a domestic 34Mbps optic-based one, with a leasing tariff of VND 30 mil per month, which is almost equivalent to 1-Mbps leasing previously. Viettel offered the Net+ package (the service package of highest quality) with a service charge of only VND 175,000/month for educational facilities (instead of VND 700,000/month). Fiber optic networking from the ministry level to local authorities with only VND 1.22m / month for an 4Mbps bandwidth. Details of the agreement include: • • • Connections among the MoET and Department of Education and Training at local levels: Collaborative deployment, and which has been basically completed, with expected established connections to all Departments of Education and Training at local levels in October 2008; Connections to Universities, Colleges, Technical Secondary Schools, and Vocational Schools: to be accomplished in June 2009; For primary, secondary and high schools, the two parties proposed a 3-year deployment plan, which is expected to be completed in 2010. Regarding supports, Viettel has the following policies for education: • • For Departments of Education and Training, Universities, Colleges, Technical Secondary Schools, and Vocational Schools, the broadband connection will be established via fiber optic transmission in order to secure the required quality and traffic volume as well as to meet future needs of these units. Viettel will apply appropriate pricing policies for the current scenario of Vietnam educational development; For primary, secondary, high schools, and the like, if there are Viettel cable systems available in those areas, the connection will be made with coaxial cables, with the minimum speed of 2Mbps. For remote or less developed areas, Viettel shall utilize its 100Kbps EDGE-based mobile wireless connection technology, which will be enhanced to 1Mbps once the company implemented its 3G technology networks. Regarding costs, Viettel offers its first free-of-charge connection. If there is an increase of demands with these users, the group will adjust its pricing policies on a case-to-case basis. www.jaccar.net 40 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Viettel’ tariffs offered to education fields MoET's Subcribers MoET's Bureau (Edunet management Center) ICT Bureau Domestic connection Tariff (discount International Tariff (discount 50% for MoET) 34Mbps 15,342,000 connection 2Mbps 50% for MoET) 21,479,000 Access points in Universities, Colleges + Internet + Video Conference '+ Data 12Mbps 8Mbps 6,402,000 4,603,000 2Mbps 1Mbps Additional discount discount 20% per total tariff (of domestic and international connections) discount 20% tariff of international connections 21,479,000 13,174,000 Final tariff 29,450,000 23,500,000 discount 20% tariff of international connections 15,100,000 Source: Viettel, On 25 September 2008, Viettel and MOET officially launched their education network project in Hanoi. Soon after that, Viettel moved to their next connection points in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. It's the MoET's directives on the Viettel's Internet initiatives and the hectic implementation of these that opened a new competition for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in education fields. Even though Viettel has certain advantages through signed agreements with the Ministry for their education network deployment at preferential prices, VNPT/VDC was also eager to join the race According to official dispatches from Department of IT of MoET, Viettel offered a free-ofcharge installation service, and monthly charge for Department-level connection is VND 1.22 mil. This is a real preference (a small comparison: FPT Telecom monthly charge of a 4Mbps fiber-optic connection service package is VND 2.5mil). VDC approaches provincial MoET agencies VDC affirmed that the offered service charges of Viettel for education fields are very low. For commercial and civil users, the provider could not "stand" with these offers due to loss of profits. In order to keep its existing clients in education areas and to secure its position in this potential market, VDC has developed four separate packages dedicated to education fields, which is a different form of connection speed upgrading of existing service offerings. The new package charges of VNPT are equal or a little higher, compared with Viettel's offers, but with higher bandwidth. VDC offered fiber-optic-based Internet Edu package with special pricing for educational and training facilities. According to their offers, clients in the educational Ministry, departments, institution, universities, etc., will be their targeted clients, the final service rates could be negotiated for best interests of both parties. The packages offered are very competitive Compared with the previous service charges, the new four packages (EduNET Basic, EduNET Bronze, EduNET Silver, and EduNET Gold) offered by VDC are 62% lower. And in comparison with those offers for enterprise clients, these packages for MoET are lowered by 88%. Internet gateway connection speed: domestic broadband Internet connection speeds come at 5, 10, 20, and 30 Mbps / subscriber respectively; international broadband Internet connection speeds come at 512 Kbps, 1-3 Mbps / subscriber. VDC quotation sheet Connection Internet Packages speed EduNet Basic EduNet Bronze EduNet Silver EduNet Gold 5Mpbs 10Mbps 20Mbps 30Mbps Domestic Internet 5Mpbs 10Mbps 20Mbps 30Mbps International Internet Tariffs Downlink Max Uplink Floor rate 512Kbps 1Mbps 2Mbps 3Mbps 5Mpbs 10Mbps 20Mbps 30Mbps 8,838,000 15,279,000 25,851,000 34,259,000 Sources: VDC, Jaccar www.jaccar.net 41 TELECOMMUNICATIONS FPT Telecom indicated that they would join this competition, but will keep their traditional approach of quality services instead of starting a new "pricing war" as which is what Viettel has done. Not only Viettel, but for all ISPs involved in education market, once there's a surge of subscription rate, how could they all manage their bandwidth distribution to secure the international bandwidth upgrading, or just leaving it with the risk of bottle-necking? Although VDC and other ISPs have their own plans of international bandwidth upgrading in the near future, it could hardly say that whether the ADSL service quality for education fields is committed and assured as expected or not. Yet it's the education sector which is benefiting the most from this race. The robust expansion of the real estate’s market, resort centers, high-tech and industrial zones, another competitive approach for ISPs New way to approach retail sector With the increased FDI, strong investments in telecommunication equipment production and the development of urban area and resorts, many businesses tend to move into industrial and hightech zones, pre-export processing zones, office buildings and complexes, leaving IT and ICT enterprises with a new market segment with great potentiality. The average month subscription cost for commercial ADSL connection services is about VND 1 to 3 million.; for building-based facilities, the cost would come at only VND 300,000 to 400,000 per month. Enterprises located at high-tech and industrial zones prefer their own leased line connection. These indicators show an attractive profitable source for ISPs. And this market segment is of great profitability with ROI high yield. And that's why it's among the market segments of extreme competition. Telecommunication enterprises usually use their own advantages in approaching this market segment. VNPT continues to maintain its market leadership, thanks to its nation-wide infrastructure facilities and affiliated local telecommunication companies (originating from previous provincial posts offices). As part of its business initiatives, VNPT is providing active supports for its provincial telecommunication companies in upgrading infrastructure facilities and optic-based networks development. With its monopoly in the electronic industry, EVN Telecom came with a facilitiesshared telecommunication services along with its power supply projects in industrial zones and residential areas (Internet connection via power lines). Taking full advantage of its bandwidth infrastructure facilities in the mentioned education network, Viettel proves to be a tough competitor in this market. Other ISPs have certain limitation in infrastructure facilities development due to administrative complications and hindering from local Public Transportation Bureau, Department of Posts and Telematics, and local authorities. In addition, the implementation costs for underground cable systems are relatively high. Therefore, these ISPs must try other ways. FPT Telecom keep focusing into major cities and neighbor industrial zones, carefully planning and promoting pre-sales initiatives prior to their infrastructure facilities investment projects. Saigon Tel has supported the telecommunication infrastructure development of industrial zones in which they are shareholders. As for connection infrastructure facilities, they leased from telecommunication companies of VNPT, Viettel or EVN. Other forms of pricing competition are discounts for surplus charges, or high-end service package. The primary competitive methods adopted by less advantaged ISPs in response to dominant ones include to granting discounts of 10-12% of total surplus charges for building complexes or resort areas, and to lowering 10-30% of premium package tariffs. That is strategic collaborative agreements with big corporations in banking and construction industries In order to secure its competitive advantages of well-positioned brand and nation-wide infrastructure facilities, VNPT has signal a number of strategic collaborative agreements with key players in banking and construction industries. The partner list of VNPT includes: Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam (BIDV), Bank of House Development in Cuu Long River Delta, Quang Trung Software Park, Lang Hoa Lac Industrial Zone, Vinaconex, The Binh Duong Trading - Investment and Development Corporation (Becamex IDC Corporation), www.jaccar.net 42 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Vincom JSC., Urban Infrastructure Development Investment Corporation (UDIC) etc., from which VNPT could approach its market of industrial zones, urban residential complexes and buildings. Following VNPT approach style, other ISPs also have their strategic collaboration plans for "market rooms". Viettel signed cooperative agreements with BIDV, MoET. CMC Telecom established their partnership with Geleximco Group, Bao Viet Group, Agribank. etc., Saigon Postel shook hands with the investor of Phu My Hung town two years ago for their monopoly in the deluxe residential complexes of Phu My Hung, Dist. 7, HCMC. Decree No. 97 has opened new opportunities to enterprises, and the drafted Decree on telecommunication service retailing is under development, which will allow all other sectors to join this telecommunication retail market. And in 2009, the competition of service providing in industrial zones, residential and urban areas will no longer be limited within the community of IT & telecommunication enterprises. Those enterprises, which have been specialized in telecommunication equipments & cables production, infrastructure facilities installation and setup, and telecommunication solutions, are also preparing their own business initiatives for the service market. The newly opened market for new providers is, according to MIC, a must due to the existing inappropriate telecommunication service charges as well as the gap between service charges and expected quality of this field. And the measure for quality control and penalty is not strong enough. Conclusion The Internet service fees have been lowered dramatically since 2001 when the playground welcomed private players. ADSL service became available, there has been fierce competition among ISPs for market shares, and lots of service promotional campaigns. ADSL fees and PC cost are still far above what rural habitants and ordinary workers can afford At the moment, ADSL bandwidth and subscription fees have become as low as other countries in the region, the minimum charge is approx. USD 5 per month only. However, Vietnam is still a developing country with most of population on low incomes. Its GDP per capita of 2008 is USD 960, USD 833 of 2007. The minimum salary is going adjusted up to VND 650.000 (USD 37) by May 2009. The average cost of a PC is about USD400-USD500, and ADSL monthly service fee is about USD 3-USD 5. The cost of IT devices, PC and Internet connection seems a bit far above the affordability of rural inhabitants or ordinary workers. The digital content could be the next battle? With a surge in number of Internet users, industrial digitalized contents and online services are blooming with a growing number of businesses involved. The digitalized content industry of Vietnam has a fast pace of development In general, the digitalized content industry of Vietnam has a great pace of development, with a gross income increased by 50% in 2006, and 58% in 2007. The total revenue of this industry in 2007 stood at more than USD 182m which in 2008 reaches USD 270m. Growth rate is 50%. The figured is estimated to reach USD 480 m in 2010, and USD 1.7 bn in the next 5 years. So the annual development speed of digitalized contents industry ranges from 35% to 50%. www.jaccar.net 43 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Revenues of digital content services Internet content & online advertisement 1% 4% 2% 15% Games 1% 24% 28% Mobile contents E-commerce E-learning Digital movie 25% E-medicine Sources: IDG, MIC’s Telecommunications Department Now there are more than 400 companies producing and doing business in digital content, in which 300 specializing in this field with a 20,000-people workforce. Most of them are ecommerce solutions and Internet content providers. Number of enterprises in the digital content sector Workforce in the digital content sector 25000 500 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 20916 20000 459 15000 10000 5000 160 7540 1768 3179 4742 1274 1062 644 707 0 95 25 35 Sources: IDG, MIC’s Telecommunications Department 55 20 16 53 Sources: IDG, MIC’s Telecommunications Department www.jaccar.net 44 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Revenue of online services (in %) Advertisement 6% Games and Entertainment 3% 2% 33% 4% E-commerce 8% Data storages/search engines 15% E-learning Digital movies, photos and music 29% Content sharing services Other services Sources: IDG, MIC’s Telecommunications Department In spite of high expectation on growing speed, the above revenue chart indicates an uneven development of content services, with a strong trend towards entertainment industry. The game online market is growing at a remarkable pace of 300% per year. The involved enterprises in the new industry are currently exploring most profitable contents for short-term business goals instead of eco-social perspectives and needs such as education, online medical consultancy, and information database development. The imbalanced situation may result in negative social outcomes. Experiences from highly developed environments for digital contents, such as Korea, show a balanced rate of entertainment and other services. It's the government who plays an important role in direction and regulation. Vietnam's regulators must have appropriate and stabilized development policies and frameworks in order to create better business environments for providers of online medical and educational contents. 73% users for emailing, messaging, online information exchanging According to recent surveys on the needs of Internet digital content users, the most frequently used services were emailing, messaging, and online information exchanging (73%), then came the online news services (55%), and a remarkably high percentage (44%) of clients with high demands on website accessing and data streaming. There were a limited number of information portal users, which took only one third of respondents. The number of online marketing and advertisement service users is approx. 17%, which is the major source of income for this area. An overview of Internet digital content usage: • • • • • • Emailing, messaging, online information exchanging (73.32%); News watching at e-magazines/newspaper (54.88%); Using of websites with features of audio, video and data uploading and downloading: (44.03%); Using services at information portal (28.63%); Using online marketing and promotional information (16.27%); Never use Internet before (15.84%). 90% clients with daily access, 54% clients using Internet at least 4 hours / day, and 21% clients using at least 8 hours / day. www.jaccar.net 45 TELECOMMUNICATIONS The survey also listed a number of problems that clients usually encounter while using Internet digital contents. 95% respondents have complaints on connection quality, 67% showed certain concerns over Internet safety, security or spread of virus and hacker attacks: • • • • • • Bad connection quality: 95% Concerns over information safety, security, and viruses: 67%; Lack of clear, appropriate instructions: 32%; Difficulties in information exchanging: 28%; Font corruption: 20%; Other problems: 35%. Web 2.0 started to develop, but no clear profitability in near future Now the web 2.0 for industrial digital content supplies is of most interest with promising profitability in the near future. The foreign e-commerce business models based on web 2.0 are becoming popular. In this specific period, most of the profits are derived from online advertisements, since most of content providers are building up their own markets, enforcing their products, and enlarging their communities. Within the next 2 years, with such great pace of Internet growth, their interactive properties will be modified and accommodated to market demands, and web 2.0 websites will bloom out with new communities and high profitable sources of online advertisements, value-added services, shared revenues with telecommunication operators, membership fees, hosting fees and many other revenues. Among hundreds of Web 2.0 e-commerce website, the risks of future business loss are quite real, if operators do not have appropriate business strategies, strong technical advantages, and financial supports until the right chances appear. Online payment applications are expected to be new booming business With the dramatic surge of mobile telephone users, the upcoming bandwidth technologies and the expansion of commercial banking systems, online payment methods have been born with ecommerce transactions and online payment portal. These enterprises have been striving to broaden their connection capacity and collaboration with other telecommunication service providers, banks, and other e-commerce websites. With more than 20 million Internet users, approx. 60 million mobile telephone subscribers and 15 million bank accounts being used, e-commerce and online payment applications are forecast to be new booming businesses in the next few years in Vietnam. The computer literacy and foreign language skills are major challenges to using Internet in general, and to creating and developing professional websites in particular. These issues have caused limited information transparency and exchange frequency among Vietnamese and international communities. Meanwhile, websites using Vietnamese language lack content-rich elements and popularity. From a general point of view, most of them are information collected, generalized, and revised from traditional paper media. And therefore, the information offered to relevant communities is not quite improved. Since June 2003, the quantity of Internet domain names has been increasing a great deal, showing a positive sign for Internet content development in Vietnam. Most of these content providers are commercial users, who are in need of using Internet as means of business development. For international domain names, such as .com, .net, .info, .org, and .biz, there were about 54,000 names registered by Vietnam-based Internet users (including ccTLD and gTLD according to webhosting.info dated 24 November 2008), 80% of registered domain names were used for commercial purposes. The .vn domain names stated below could reach more than 87,000 names. However, they are only registered figures, and the actual domain names used for website addresses took no more than 60% of them. For millions of enterprises registered for business operations, and 30% of population living in urban areas, the figure is smaller than expected. E-commerce has slowly improved, compared with other Internet-related activities The achievements in establishing local portals by industrial fields are quite encouraging, but it's merely a good will instead of measured success. There are some sources of information that remain unchanged after one year in operation. The point is, is it caused by a financial shortage, less interest, or simply an act of going along with the crowd? This is also a counter effect to any stimulus and procedural factors to online e-commerce, information supplies and usage, and information technologies utilization. www.jaccar.net 46 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Except for websites from OSPs, ICPs, and ISPs, the websites in other fields, such as information technologies, banks, tourism, export-import services, and education, all have high frequency of accessibility. The general information available on commercial websites is published for business purposes. They are advertisement, product and/or service offerings, sales activities, etc. In contrast to poor performance of public websites, there's great enhancement in the quality of commercial websites. Vietnam consumers can now enjoy more benefits from online transaction applications. The top 10 commercial websites of 2008 ranked and published in early December last year by Vietnam E-commerce and Information Technology Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade) all belong to B2C (Business-2-Consumers) websites. They include www.jetstar.com; www.25h.vn; www.vinabook.com; www.megabuy.vn; www.travel.com.vn; www.thegioihoatuoi.com.vn; www.saigontourist.net; www.goodsmart.com.vn; www.linhperfume.com; www.golmart.vn (according to Vietnam E-commerce and Information Technology Agency - E-commerce Development Center's website www.ecomviet.vn). Although there are a huge number of Internet users in Vietnam, the online trading communities of Vietnam are still under-developed. The following websites are most typical cases Collaboration initiatives between OSPs with other professional agencies have brought certain Internet service quality enhancement and convenience to consumers. These services include online search engines for examination results, phonebooks, music, legal documentation, community healthcare consultancy, etc. Now all the ministries, ministry-level agencies, urban and provincial authorities have their own websites. These websites serve only as sources of information promotion to society, especially specific legal documentation, directives for legal procedures, and providing access to individuals and organizations. This will help to ensure professional communication among local authorities with other parties (both domestically and internationally) Online information exchanging between regulators and law enforcement agencies, such as providing public services, licensing, and professional consulting, is still not realized. The implementation of e-government applications has certain difficulties in assessment and measurement. Project 112 of the Government in using IT applications to change administrative bodies' working methodology and culture have turned into nothing but failures and financial waste due to lose control procedures. The Government has issued Decree No. 64. Government agencies' websites are considered taking their very first social responsibilities. MIC has recently carried out a survey for ranking websites of public services. It is time for online advertisement business The growing speed of online advertisement business is forecasted at 70-100% per year in the next couple of years, and could result in revenue of VND 500 bn (USD 28 m) in 2010. ii Class of Service (CoS) is a way of managing traffic in a network by grouping similar types of traffic (for example, e-mail, streaming video, voice, large document file transfer) together and treating each type as a class with its own level of service priority. CoS technology is simpler to manage and more scalable as a network grows in structure and traffic volume. Quality of service (QoS) is the ability to provide different priority to different applications, users, or data flows or to guarantee a certain level of performance to a data flow www.jaccar.net 47 TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY SHEETS FPT Corporation Rating: BUY HIGH SPEED SURFING OVER STATEOF-ART CONVERGENCE PLATFORM Target Price: 71,000 VND Company Data Price, close (Apr 21, 2009): 51,500 VND Price, close (Apr 21, 2009): 3.09 USD Market cap. (VND bn): 7,260 Market cap. (USD m): 435.62 Turnover per day: 1,818,020 Bloomberg code: FPT VN • Company Contacts • Truong Gia Binh (CEO) Phan Duc Trung (CFO) Bui Quang Ngoc (IR) www.fpt.com.vn • Shareholder structure Truong Gia Binh SCIC Deutsche Bank AG London 8.42% 7.20% 4.34% • Performance 300,000 250,000 • 200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 0 4/07 7/07 Price 10/07 1/08 4/08 7/08 10/08 • 1/09 Price/VN Index P&L Highlights (VND bn) Sales EBIT Op. Margin (%) Net Income Net Margin (%) Fixed Assets Debts FCF FCF yield (%) 2006 11,398 672 6% 450 4% 365 785 (156) -106% 2007 13,499 1,048 8% 737 5% 1,013 1,316 (341) -169% 2008 16,382 1,578 10% 836 5% 1,467 1,241 336 518% 2009e 16,489 1,694 10% 861 5% 2,076 1,335 191 370% 2010e 17,887 1,672 9% 974 5% 2,562 1,477 (16) -30% Key Ratios (x) EV/Sales EV/EBITDA EV/EBIT PE P/Book ROE (%) ROCE (%) Div. Yield (%) Payout ratio (%) 2006 0.8 12.0 13.4 20.0 5.9 35% 28% 0% 13% Next Events 2007 0.9 10.8 11.8 16.6 6.3 45% 27% 2% 62% 2008 0.3 3.2 3.5 7.2 2.5 44% 38% 6% 53% 2009e 0.4 3.4 3.7 8.4 2.6 38% 33% 5% 44% 2010e 0.4 3.5 4.0 7.8 2.3 37% 25% 5% 47% • • Being one of the top 10 highest market cap companies in Vietnam stock markets, the no.1 local private and the no.1 ICT company, FPT seizes the dominance in Vietnam market of all its key business lines including integrated systems, software, ERP services, telecommunication services and ICT product distribution. In 2008, regardless of the recession, with its net sales growth rate of 21%, FPT Corporation did make a land mark with the first annual revenue hit of USD 1 bn in its 20 year history. "Globalization", "sector leading" and "fast growing" are key slogans that has highlighted the shared goals of the group and its subsidiaries that focus on value leverage for IT-related services and software solutions, aiming at high margin business sectors and winning opportunities for expanding to regional and international market. FPT's ambition is to be the leading holding company and keep expansion to financial area. FPT keeps fostering its "e-citizens" strategy in order to create a new ecommunity in the future enjoying and consuming the advanced high tech service and products of FPT. Hard expenses management and efficient operating leverage should go on to drive margin growth as FPT addresses a commitment of cost savings, more transparence in corporate governance and efficiencies in human resources management. Drivers for positive growth include the stronger capacity in big IT projects, accumulative experiences and relationships with global IT partners and internal resource efficiencies. We believe positive growths and margin expansion to facilitate stable free cash flow performance. For 2009, we expect total net revenue of USD 989 m (+0.7% y/y), net margin expand to 5.2%. Our 2010 and 2011 estimates assume a stabilizing environment, thus, we forecast 2010 revenue of USD 1,073 m (+8.5% y/y), net margin to grow 5.5%, 2011 revenue of USD 1,189 m, net margin expand to 6%. We are initiating coverage with a Buy rating and VND 71,000 (USD 4.05) target price. We expect FPT’s core integration system, telecom and software business to remain resilient during the current slowdown and drive overall growth, as those segments benefits from big public projects and higher demand on broadband telecom services. SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths • No. 1 ICT company, being leader in all key business lines, top private company • Strategic partnership with leading global technology firms like Cisco, SAP, Microsoft, etc. • Prestigious ICT brand name in the region, strong support by government, various biggest clients • Dedicated and well-educated management team, best technical team in Indochina ICT Opportunities Analyst NGUYEN Thi Thanh Hoa 81-85 Ham Nghi District 1 Ho Chi Minh City Tel: +84 8 39 14 90 60 [email protected] • Experiences and ability to approach international market • Huge investment in public ICT thanks to government’s stimulus package and support by World Bank • Developing in the fast-growing business such as media, telecom, advertisement, training www.jaccar.net Weaknesses • Bureaucratic problems of big size, potentially internal divergence among different levels of management • Products and services of distribution division are not differentiated • Risky expansion to non-core ICT segment like banking, real estates and securities • Overconfident in FPT culture Threats • Growing competition pressure in distribution from both international and local players • Risk of failure and losses in new financial diversification sector • Quality of outsourcing software is poorer than India, China and others • Economy recession impacts 48 TELECOMMUNICATIONS VALUATION As FPT is involved in different kind of businesses, we have to valuate as a holding. It means that we used the following methods for each division, excluding the small stakes (we took into account only the 2008 book value given by the company): • • • Discounted Cash-flows; Peer Comparison; Sector-based transactions. DCF For each business, the DCF is over 10 years as we have strong visibility on the performance and the strategy of the company. As FPT publishes only the revenues and the PBT (profit before taxes), we tried to estimate the Ebitda, EBIT, Tax and Investments for each one. Our assumptions are resumed in the following tables. Otherwise, we would like to underline that the dividends were taken into account globally as the company doesn’t pay any dividend separately. DCF Integration system division Sales growth (in %) 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e 2012e 2013e 2014e 2015e 2016e 2017e 2018e 2,714,098 3,240,633 3,726,728 4,416,173 4,901,952 5,343,127 5,717,146 6,117,346 6,545,561 7,003,750 7,494,012 19% 15% 19% 11% 9% 7% 7% 7% 7% 7% EBITDA Ebitda margin (in %) growth (in %) Change in provisions 433,967 481,033.55 442,416.18 491,584.48 16% 15% 12% 11% 10.8% -8.0% 11.1% 0 0 0 0 Change in WCR (49,510) (54,672) 39,532 Operating cash-flows 483,478 535,705 402,884 Taxes Corporate tax rate Investments growth (in %) Free cash-flows Discount Discounted FCF EBIT Op. Margin (in %) Tax rate / EBIT NOPAT 0% 525,995 11% 7.0% 0 562,815 11% 7.0% 0 602,212 11% 7.0% 0 644,367 11% 7.0% 0 689,473 11% 7.0% 0 737,736 11% 7.0% 0 789,377 11% 7.0% 0 62,112 44,898 44,898 44,898 44,898 44,898 44,898 44,898 429,472 481,097 517,917 557,314 599,468 644,574 692,837 744,479 89,441.47 93,913.54 105,988.14 19% 21% 22% 126,239 24% 135,076 24% 162,597 27% 173,979 27% 186,158 27% 177,057 24% 189,451 24% 48,543 11% 50,971 5% 53,519 5% 56,195 5% 59,005 5% 61,955 5% 65,053 5% 68,305 5% 40,143 40,405 1% 443,334.84 405,859 89% 265,139 274,940.79 80% 71% 303,887 63% 329,322 57% 338,521 50% 366,485 45% 396,462 40% 450,728 36% 486,723 32% 0 362,146 211,101 195,328 192,640 186,278 170,858 165,049 159,319 161,617 155,727 410,009 15% 0% 410,009 456,300 14% 20% 366,859 414,691 11% 23% 320,778 459,888 441,175.6 480,881.5 514,543.2 550,561.2 589,100.5 630,337.5 674,461.1 10% 9% 9% 9% 9% 9% 9% 9% 23% 29% 28% 32% 32% 32% 28% 28% 353,900 314,937 345,806 351,946 376,582 402,943 453,281 485,011 Sum of Discounted FCF Terminal value 1,960,062 1,922,765 Total 3,882,827 43,831 8% Source: Jaccar www.jaccar.net 49 TELECOMMUNICATIONS DCF Software division Sales growth (in %) 2008 706,655 2009e 823,960 17% 2010e 2011e 2012e 2013e 2014e 2015e 2016e 2017e 2018e 988,752 1,206,277 1,375,156 1,512,671 1,663,939 1,813,693 1,976,925 2,174,618 2,392,080 20% 22% 14% 10% 10% 9% 9% 10% 10% EBITDA Ebitda margin (in %) growth (in %) Change in provisions 299,400 305,577.90 335,373.98 408,579.29 42% 37% 34% 34% 2.1% 9.8% 21.8% 0 0 0 0 Change in WCR (14,007) (15,560) 11,252 Operating cash-flows 313,407 321,138 Taxes Corporate tax rate 449,437 33% 10.0% 0 494,381 33% 10.0% 0 543,819 33% 10.0% 0 598,201 33% 10.0% 0 658,021 33% 10.0% 0 723,823 33% 10.0% 0 796,205 33% 10.0% 0 17,678 12,702 12,702 12,702 12,702 12,702 12,702 12,702 324,122 390,901 436,735 481,679 531,117 585,499 645,319 711,121 783,503 10,903.00 28,838.59 46,141.74 4% 9% 14% 57,201 14% 80,899 18% 88,989 18% 135,955 25% 149,550 25% 164,505 25% 224,385 31% 246,824 31% Investments growth (in %) 180,642 181,823 1% 197,240 8% 218,445 11% 233,736 7% 250,098 7% 267,605 7% 286,337 7% 306,381 7% 327,827 7% 350,775 7% Free cash-flows Discount 121,861 110,477 84% 80,741 70% 115,254 59% 122,100 49% 142,592 41% 127,557 34% 149,611 29% 174,433 24% 158,908 20% 185,904 17% Discounted FCF 0 92,475 56,572 67,596 59,942 58,595 43,876 43,076 42,039 32,057 31,392 EBIT Tax rate / EBIT NOPAT 253,879 4% 242,976 258,585 11% 229,746 282,697 16% 236,555 Sum of Discounted FCF Terminal value 527,620 549,543 Total 348,357 412,546.7 453,801.4 499,181.6 544,107.9 593,077.6 652,385.4 717,623.9 16% 20% 20% 27% 27% 28% 34% 34% 291,156 331,648 364,813 363,227 394,558 428,572 428,000 470,800 1,077,163 Source: Jaccar DCF Telecom division Sales growth (in %) 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e 2012e 2013e 2014e 2015e 2016e 2017e 2018e 1,286,656 1,782,019 2,280,984 2,931,064 3,517,277 4,150,387 4,814,449 5,536,616 6,367,108 7,640,530 9,168,636 39% 28% 29% 20% 18% 16% 15% 15% 20% 20% EBITDA Ebitda margin (in %) growth (in %) Change in provisions 479,588 642,023.39 766,360.58 980,269.52 1,176,323 1,411,588 1,693,906 2,032,687 2,439,224 2,927,069 3,512,483 37% 36% 34% 33% 33% 34% 35% 37% 38% 38% 38% 33.9% 19.4% 27.9% 20.0% 20.0% 20.0% 20.0% 20.0% 20.0% 20.0% 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Change in WCR (21,739) (24,182) 17,486 Operating cash-flows 501,327 666,205 748,875 Taxes Corporate tax rate 94,806.00 129,196.35 159,668.86 20% 20% 21% 27,473 19,714 19,714 19,714 19,714 19,714 19,714 19,714 952,797 1,156,609 1,391,874 1,674,192 2,012,973 2,419,510 2,907,355 3,492,769 208,838 21% 258,791 22% 352,897 25% 457,355 27% 548,825 27% 658,591 27% 643,955 22% 772,746 22% 510,635 7% 546,379 7% 584,626 7% Investments growth (in %) 301,071 303,038 1% 328,734 8% 364,075 11% 389,561 7% 416,830 7% 446,008 7% 477,229 7% Free cash-flows Discount 105,450 233,970 85% 260,473 71% 379,883 60% 508,257 51% 622,147 43% 770,829 36% 986,919 1,250,285 1,717,021 2,135,397 31% 26% 22% 19% Discounted FCF 0 197,774 186,114 229,442 259,487 268,493 281,194 304,325 371,777 29% 26% 276,971 530,723 30% 24% 401,527 641,599 28% 25% 481,930 837,637 914,492.0 29% 26% 25% 28% 628,799 655,701 EBIT Op. Margin (in %) Tax rate / EBIT NOPAT Sum of Discounted FCF Terminal value 2,828,731 2,098,000 Total 4,926,732 325,891 378,309 397,702 1,079,100. 1,251,756. 1,439,520. 1,655,448. 1,986,537. 2,383,845. 6 7 2 2 8 4 26% 26% 26% 26% 26% 26% 33% 37% 38% 40% 32% 32% 726,204 794,402 890,695 996,858 1,342,583 1,611,099 Source: Jaccar www.jaccar.net 50 TELECOMMUNICATIONS DCF Distribution division Sales growth (in %) 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e 2012e 2013e 2014e 2015e 2016e 2017e 2018e 11,289,797 10,217,266 10,370,525 10,629,788 10,895,533 11,113,444 11,335,713 11,539,755 11,747,471 11,982,421 12,222,069 -10% 1% 2% 3% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% EBITDA Ebitda margin (in %) growth (in %) Change in provisions 514,494 356,020.07 255,508.99 252,987.93 5% 3% 2% 2% -30.8% -28.2% -1.0% 0 0 0 0 Change in WCR (54,773) (60,980) 44,094 Operating cash-flows 569,267 417,000 211,415 Taxes Corporate tax rate Investments growth (in %) 0% 263,107 2% 4.0% 0 268,370 2% 2.0% 0 273,737 2% 2.0% 0 279,212 2% 2.0% 0 284,796 2% 2.0% 0 290,492 2% 2.0% 0 296,302 2% 2.0% 0 69,279 49,671 49,671 49,671 49,671 49,671 49,671 49,671 183,709 213,436 218,699 224,066 229,541 235,125 240,821 246,631 44,700.54 41,482.10 39,861.71 13% 16% 22% 63,146 24% 64,409 24% 76,646 28% 78,179 28% 79,743 28% 63,908 22% 65,186 22% 80,906 11% 88,996 10% 93,446 5% 98,118 5% 103,024 5% 107,145 4% 111,431 4% 115,888 4% 66,905 67,342 1% Free cash-flows Discount 502,362.76 304,958 90% 96,881 62,941.62 81% 74% 61,294 66% 60,844 60% 49,301 54% 48,337 49% 48,237 44% 65,482 40% 65,556 36% Discounted FCF 0 275,251 78,925 40,679 36,447 26,656 23,589 21,247 26,033 23,523 EBIT Op. Margin (in %) Tax rate / EBIT NOPAT 557,570 5% 0% 557,570 311,500 3% 14% 266,799 205,604 2% 20% 164,122 195,935 217,910.7 222,268.9 226,714.3 230,795.1 234,949.4 239,648.4 244,441.4 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 20% 29% 29% 34% 34% 34% 27% 27% 156,073 154,765 157,860 150,068 152,616 155,207 175,740 179,255 Sum of Discounted FCF Terminal value 598,630 731,531 2009e 183,765 37% 2010e 238,895 30% 2011e 305,785 28% 2012e 382,232 25% 2013e 477,790 25% 2014e 597,237 25% 2015e 716,684 20% 2016e 2017e 2018e 860,021 1,032,026 1,238,431 20% 20% 20% EBITDA Ebitda margin (in %) growth (in %) Change in provisions 32,942 89,962.82 92,245.12 113,307.50 24% 49% 39% 37% 173.1% 2.5% 22.8% 0 0 0 0 135,969 36% 20.0% 0 169,961 36% 25.0% 0 212,452 36% 25.0% 0 254,942 36% 20.0% 0 305,930 36% 20.0% 0 367,116 36% 20.0% 0 440,540 36% 20.0% 0 Change in WCR (3,320) (15,560) 2,737 4,300 3,010 3,010 3,010 3,010 3,010 3,010 3,010 Operating cash-flows 36,261 105,523 89,508 109,007 132,959 166,951 209,441 251,932 302,920 364,106 437,529 16,768.58 17,917.11 22,551.67 19% 19% 22% 29,913 22% 37,391 22% 46,739 22% 56,087 22% 67,305 22% 80,766 22% 96,919 22% Total 73,052 8% 46,281 1,330,161 Source: Jaccar DCF Training division Sales growth (in %) Taxes Corporate tax rate 2008 134,528 0% Investments growth (in %) 20,071 20,203 1% 21,916 8% 24,272 11% 26,699 10% 29,369 10% 31,425 7% 33,624 7% 35,978 7% 38,496 7% 41,191 7% Free cash-flows Discount 16,189 68,552 85% 49,676 72% 62,184 61% 76,347 52% 100,191 44% 131,277 37% 162,220 32% 199,637 27% 244,844 23% 299,419 19% Discounted FCF 0 58,207 35,814 38,067 39,684 44,220 49,197 51,619 53,939 56,171 58,325 49,598 37% 0% 49,598 72,649 40% 23% 55,881 72,838 30% 25% 54,921 91,120 30% 25% 68,569 EBIT Op. Margin (in %) Tax rate / EBIT NOPAT Sum of Discounted FCF Terminal value 485,244 343,273 Total 828,517 99,380.2 124,225.3 155,281.6 186,338.0 223,605.6 268,326.7 321,992.0 26% 26% 26% 26% 26% 26% 26% 30% 30% 30% 30% 30% 30% 30% 69,467 86,834 108,542 130,251 156,301 187,561 225,073 Source Jaccar www.jaccar.net 51 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Our WACC is based on: • • • • Vietnamese 5 years bond: we took into account the average of the transactions on the latest issue done by the government; Beta: we used the date given by Bloomberg; Risk premium: is calculated from a free default government bonds (i.e. the US government bonds on the historical valuation), the Moody’s rating for long term bonds (definition of the ADI default spread) and the adjusted country risk premium (equity emerging markets are in average 1.5x more volatile than bond markets); Long term interest rate: based on 2008 expectations for the group. The WACC is changing for each division as well as we estimated the financial structure for each one. We would like to give 2 examples: a low-leveraged and a high-leveraged: WACC Distribution Division WACC Software division Cost of capital 15-years bond Beta Risk premium Cost of capital 15-years bond Beta Risk premium in % 9.19% 1.27 9.48% 21.23% in % 10% 25% 7.5% in % 87% Cost of debt Long-term interest rate Taxes Assumptions Shareholder Equity Share price Nb of shares (fully diluted) Debts WACC in % 9.19% 1.27 9.48% 21.23% in % 10% 25% 7.5% in % 24% Cost of debt Long-term interest rate Taxes Assumptions Shareholder Equity Share price Nb of shares (fully diluted) Debts WACC 13% 19% 76% 11% Source: Jaccar Source: Jaccar Peer comparison We selected only the key players in each industry in Asia, Europe and in the US. Regarding the total number of competitors chosen (42), we cannot disclose a full description for each one. However, we would like to underline that only the most relevant in terms of businesses, profitability, strategy and ROE were selected. Please find below the tables for each activity (the valuation will be resumed in the valuation summary table in the Conclusion paragraph): Integration system division Peer Comparison set 1 Company Name NEC Dimension Data Digital China 3Com Cisco HARRIS Unisys Median Last Price 301.00 46.25 3.40 3.44 17.93 29.91 0.72 EV/Sales EV/Ebitda EV/Ebit 2009e 2010e 2011e 2009e 2010e 2011e 0.35 0.21 0.08 0.39 1.96 1.19 0.17 0.35 0.37 0.21 0.07 0.41 2.02 1.18 0.17 0.37 0.37 0.19 0.06 1.83 1.23 0.18 0.28 12.08 3.95 5.82 7.92 4.73 1.47 5.27 12.47 3.71 4.50 8.70 4.55 1.29 4.53 6.96 3.32 3.36 6.92 4.69 1.39 4.02 2009e 41.65 6.62 4.94 8.42 7.26 5.37 6.00 2010e 46.25 6.27 3.97 9.01 7.05 3.66 5.12 2011e 27.45 5.00 3.02 7.01 7.06 3.39 6.01 Source: Bloomberg www.jaccar.net 52 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Software division Peer Comparison set 2 Company Name Cognizant Technology Sapient Corp. Syntel Inc. Infosys Affiliated computer Wipro Hitachisoft SAP Oracle Temenos Accenture Nomura Research Institute Nihon Unisys Intuit Inc. IBM Median Last Price 23.10 5.25 22.25 1,409.30 49.58 268.75 1,205.00 29.00 18.87 12.00 27.80 1,656.00 705.00 25.39 99.27 EV/Sales 2009e 1.47 0.63 2.04 2.62 0.95 3.10 0.67 2.80 3.34 2.33 0.85 1.09 0.53 2.44 1.37 1.47 2010e 1.30 0.63 2.04 2.48 0.90 2.92 0.71 2.67 3.30 2.28 0.84 1.10 0.54 2.31 1.33 1.33 EV/Ebitda 2011e 1.30 0.54 1.66 2.26 0.85 2.65 0.71 2.67 3.30 2.28 0.84 1.10 0.54 2.31 1.33 1.33 2009e 9.70 7.87 10.06 6.00 7.76 4.54 10.39 8.32 7.38 5.31 5.19 4.13 8.60 7.18 7.57 2010e 8.42 6.48 9.94 5.44 7.49 5.30 9.28 8.39 6.66 5.33 5.11 4.80 7.66 6.94 6.80 EV/Ebit 2011e 7.35 6.83 6.04 9.10 5.14 6.85 5.14 8.59 7.91 6.39 5.11 4.95 4.64 7.16 6.77 6.77 2009e 8.25 9.61 8.76 8.76 18.93 9.42 11.20 7.38 12.17 6.29 7.52 8.55 8.45 8.28 8.66 2010e 7.17 6.50 8.69 7.90 18.87 11.10 9.57 7.51 10.87 6.30 7.64 8.55 7.80 7.87 7.88 2011e 6.10 5.90 7.89 7.41 17.15 9.92 8.68 6.60 9.46 6.02 7.24 8.02 7.09 7.57 7.49 Source: Bloomberg Telecom division Peer Comparison set 3 Company Name Afone Comcast Corp Clearwire Media Communication Time Warner Cable I Cable NCSoft Corp Softbank BT Goup Median Last Price EV/Sales EV/Ebitda 2009e 2010e 2009e 2010e 1.06 2.26 2.54 1.95 0.90 2.21 1.49 1.00 1.72 1.00 2.18 2.46 1.87 0.87 1.95 1.44 1.00 1.66 19.37 5.23 6.89 3.72 2.35 18.94 7.46 3.60 6.06 3.53 5.00 6.73 3.56 1.94 16.43 6.23 3.30 4.28 3.48 13.86 5.16 4.78 27.80 0.61 131,000.00 1,520.00 81.10 EV/Ebit 2009e 4.67 11.33 12.44 11.29 352.74 8.18 11.22 10.98 11.25 2010e 67.07 10.53 13.20 10.20 8.81 10.53 Source: Bloomberg We would like to underline that no information are available for 2011 year. Distribution division Peer Comparison set 4 Company Name DELL US equity HPQ US equity AVT US equity ARW US equity 2347 TT equity SYNEX TB equity IM US equity TECD US equity Median Last Price 10.47 34.12 18.62 19.30 47.90 1.12 12.85 23.50 EV/Sales 2009e 0.22 0.82 0.20 0.22 0.77 0.14 0.07 0.05 0.21 2010e 0.21 0.79 0.21 0.21 0.42 0.13 0.07 0.05 0.21 EV/Ebitda 2011e 0.21 0.76 0.48 2009e 4.00 5.62 5.81 28.97 2.63 5.10 5.03 5.10 2010e 3.62 5.42 6.32 16.12 2.61 4.26 4.36 4.36 EV/Ebit 2011e 3.44 5.43 4.44 2009e 4.65 7.83 5.99 48.53 8.77 7.88 6.83 7.83 2010e 3.87 7.52 7.44 26.45 9.23 5.63 7.48 2011e 3.87 7.16 5.52 Source: Bloomberg www.jaccar.net 53 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Training division Peer Comparison set 5 Company Name Last Price Aptech Ltd NIIT BTS Group Median 115.05 25.65 23.70 EV/Sales 2009e 2.48 1.90 0.81 1.90 2010e 2.27 1.90 0.78 1.90 EV/Ebitda 2011e 2.27 1.61 0.73 1.61 2009e 7.88 4.55 6.95 6.95 EV/Ebit 2010e 7.46 3.97 5.46 5.46 2011e 5.27 3.34 4.71 4.71 2009e 13.81 32.95 8.21 13.81 2010e 12.37 29.96 6.82 12.37 2011e 8.19 22.58 5.75 8.19 Date Price EV India 9/1/2009 USA 20/1/2009 30/12/200 Germany 8 Denmark 2/12/2008 14/11/200 Germany 8 Belgium 9/10/2008 Italia 3/18/2008 Russia 16/9/2008 USA 21/8/2008 Germany 29/7/2008 Greek 18/7/2008 Israel 20/5/2008 USA 29/4/2008 Germany 24/4/2008 UK 28/3/2008 69 449 69 449 0.5 - - - - 13 268 13 268 0.5 0.6 6.6 6.2 15.1 9.1 233.3 13.3 23 12 40 15 35 6 25 8 18 9 280 23 12 40 15 35 6 25 8 18 9 280 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.6 1.6 4 11.3 0.5 22.1 84.8 7 135 46 5 135 7 135 46 5 135 0.3 1.7 3.7 7.1 - - - Source: Bloomberg Sector-based transactions Integration system division Sector-based transactions set 1 (in M EUR) Target Bidder Country Siemens Information Systems Ltd Interwoven Inc Siemens Corporation Finance Pvt. Ltd Corporation Plc nextevolution AG KMD A/S lautrupparken White Beiligungsgesellschaft mbH KMD holding A/S SoftM Sotware und Beratung AG Selligent SA Selesta Ingegneria s.p.a Reksoft Co Ltd Wonderware Mobile Solutions SYSDAT GmbH Informer Group Tarc Computers and System Ltd Aleri Global Banking Business HighQ-IT for the manufacturing industry GmbH Civica Plc T-system LOGIX Group sds business service GmbH Accountis Europe Ltd Wombat Financial Software Inc Comarch Software AG optizen BNL - Gruppo BNP Paribas TechnoServ A. S. Wonderware Corperation Cancom IT systeme AG temenos Group AG Matrix IT Ltd Wall Street Systems Perot Systems Corperation 3i Group Plc Cognizant Technology Solutions Coperation Arrow Electtronics Inc Affiliated Computer Services, Inc Fundtech Ltd NYSE Euronext India 5/3/2008 France 25/2/2008 Germany 14/2/2008 UK 7/2/2008 USA 14/1/2008 P/ P/S Ebitda P/Ebit PE Source: Mergermarket.com As more than 120 relevant transactions were referenced, we preferred to give only a sample of the most recent ones. The median of the transactions between 2005 and 2009 is as follow: P/Sales (1x), P/Ebitda (12.1x) and P/Ebit (17.8x). www.jaccar.net 54 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Software division Sector-based transactions set 2 (in M EUR) Target P/ EV P/Sales Ebitda P/Ebit Bidder Country Date Price Enghouse systems Limited Foresight Group Octopus Diagnos. Co.uk Limited Investments SoftM Software und Beratung AG Comarch Sofware AG Danet Gmbh Devoteam SA Mindware Engineering Inc. ESI North America Inc Ascribe Plc Scroll Bidco limited Helios IT Norriq AS FNZ Holdings Limited H.I.G European Capital Partners ILOG SA IBM Corporation MessageLabs Ltd Symantec Corporation Julie- Owandy Arseus NV Fermat International Moody's Corporation Selesta Ingegneria s.p.a BNL Orca Interactive Ltd Viaccess Ci Consulting Limited CCH Inc Reksoft Co Ltd TechnoServ A/S Esa Software Il Sole 24 Ore Secure Computing Corporation Aladdin Knowledge Systems EDB Gruppen A/S Cidron IT A/S DynaTrace Software Gmbh Bain Capital IBS AB Deccan Value Fund Zoomix Data Mastering Limited Microsoft Corporation Messtechnik Wetzlar GmbH Hexagone AB Praxis Calcolo s.p.a Data Service SpA Glint - Global Intelligent Consiste Sistemas de Informacao SGPS Unipessoal LDA Technologies SGPS SA Alphameric Hospitality Limited Alphameric Plc Alchemy Software Development Ltd Transactions.com Inc Drummohr technology Limited IRIS Software Group Limited Tact Computers and System Ltd Matrix IT Ltd Mediasurface A;terian Realviz SA Autodesk Inc Micro Drainage Limited Cardno Limited Ascott Software A/S Profdoc ASA NetManage Inc Micro Focus International Plc Aleri Global Banking Business (Aleri Inc) Aleri limited Wall Street Systems i2 Ltd Silver Lake Sumeru Diligent Technologies Corporation IBM Corporation FilesX inc IBM Corporation Axial System Limited NVM Private Equity Limited Gruppo Datel SpA Cedass Srl Sapient SpA TFB Group Tikit Group Plc Paycorp Payment Solutions Pty Ltd Birch Partners Plc Million Handshakes AS Portrait Software Plc Pluck Corporation Demand Media Inc Consort NT SA AZA Private Equity Anyware Techonologies Wavecom SA Planet Holdings Plc 20-20 Techonologies Inc Troltech ASA Nokia Oyj Superscape Group Plc Glu Mobile Inc. Hevacomp Ltd Bentley System Incorporated Dash Optimization Fair Isaac Corporation CSC (World) Limited ISIS Private Equity Partners Plc Sweden 3/4/09 6 6 0.7 - - - UK Germany Germany USA UK Belgium New Zealand France UK France Belgium Italy Israel Ireland Russia Italy USA Sweden USA Sweden Israel Germany Italy 25/2/09 2/2/2009 19/01/2009 12/1/2009 17/12/2008 8/12/2008 5/12/2008 24/11/2008 17/11/2008 3/11/08 9/10/2008 3/10/2008 3/10/08 24/09/2008 16/09/2008 10/9/2008 4/9/2008 1/9/2008 5/8/2008 4/8/2008 14/07/2008 24/6/08 10/6/08 8 22 45 4 34 23 169 509 18 158 40 8 20 16 60 42 81 23 125 13 20 13 8 22 45 4 34 23 169 509 18 158 40 8 20 16 60 42 81 23 125 13 20 13 1.4 0.4 1.6 1.5 5.5 0.9 1.9 1.9 2 0.7 0.5 - 5.7 65.8 9.6 8.3 7.4 - 6.7 8.9 30.9 - 9.5 - Portugal UK Ireland UK Israel UK France UK Danish US US UK US US UK Italy UK Australia Norway USA France France UK Norway UK UK UK UK 5/6/08 5/6/08 3/6/08 27/5/08 20/5/08 16/5/08 7/5/08 3/5/08 2/5/08 1/5/08 29/4/08 24/4/08 17/4/08 10/4/08 10/4/08 3/4/08 3/4/08 27/3/08 20/3/08 3/4/08 3/3/08 1/2/2008 29/1/08 28/1/08 23/1/08 22/1/08 22/1/08 21/1/08 43 22 8 6 8 22 18 17 12 38 18 118 126 44 23 20 11 18 7 49 31 13 26 92 15 11 22 27 43 22 8 6 8 22 18 17 12 38 18 118 126 44 23 20 11 18 7 49 31 13 26 92 15 11 22 27 0.6 1 0.4 1.5 2.5 1.5 1.5 6.1 2.8 7.5 0.8 2.5 2.7 3.4 1.2 2.8 7.2 0.1 8.3 9.7 155.4 5 8.5 7.5 11.1 33.9 12 14.8 Trio Enterprises AB PE Source: Mergermarket.com As more than 317 relevant transactions were referenced, we preferred to give only a sample of the most recent ones. The median of the transactions between 2005 and 2009 is as follow: P/Sales (1.8x), P/Ebitda (12.5x) and P/Ebit (15.9x). www.jaccar.net 55 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Telecom division Sector-based transactions set 3 (in M EUR) Target Bidder Cinet ooo Stream TV Group Liberty Surf Group SA AxisMobile Ltd Interwave Soudelor Ltd Amen Tele2 Poland sp. Zoo Verizon South Africa (Pty) Ltd Zajil International Telecom Company Datametrix AS Nienshants - Pakt - Katrina - Riko-TV Trader.com (Polska) Sp. Z o.o Paycorp Payment Solutions Pty Ltd Crossnet 123-Reg Limited Atlas.cz The Internet Business Limited Country Date Price NetByNet Russia AOA Russia Iliad SA France Synchronica Plc Israel NetByNet Russia UFG Private Equity Fund I, L.P Russia Reguster.it S.p.A France Netia SA Poland MTN Group Limited South Africa Etihad Etisalat Saudi Arabia Telenor ASA Norway Akado Group Russia Agora SA Poland Birch Partners Plc Australia Akado Group Russia Host Europe WVS Limited United Kingdom Centrum.cz Czech UTV Media Plc Ireland 23/10/2008 4/9/2008 26/08/2008 18/08/2008 12/8/2008 28/07/2008 16/07/2008 30/06/2008 25/06/2008 25/06/2008 23/06/2008 17/06/2008 14/05/2008 27/03/2008 25/03/2008 14/03/2008 26/02/2008 13/02/2008 8 172.06 800 4.4 4.69 5.09 17.1 31.76 111.12 13.6 28.07 19.34 35.19 17.56 6.48 154.68 39.81 6.72 P/ EV P/Sales Ebitda P/Ebit 8 172.06 800 4.4 4.69 5.09 17.1 31.76 111.12 14.16 28.07 19.34 35.19 17.56 6.48 154.68 39.81 6.72 2.7 4.8 1.5 0.3 0.6 6.4 6.1 1.6 - 9.5 7 544.7 14.8 - - PE - Source: Mergermarket.com As more than 125 relevant transactions were referenced, we preferred to give only a sample of the most recent ones. The median of the transactions between 2005 and 2009 is as follow: P/Sales (1.6x), P/Ebitda (11.2x) and P/Ebit (21x). Distribution division We had to split this division into two sub-sectors as FPT is involved in the distribution of computer hardware (85%) and other appliances (15%): Sector-based transactions set 4 (in M EUR) Target Salon Svyazi Eldorado Narico Holdings Boulanger Espana SL Euroset Group Ultimate Ears HomeBuy Group Plc Tec7 Limited Electric City A/S Philips Sound Solutions F Group A/S Packard Bell NV Link Stores Ltd Grupo Arc Markantalo Oy Expert Invest AB Median Average Bidder Country Date Price Mobile Telesystems OJSC Mobile Telesystems OJSC Sonae Distribuicao SGPS SA ANN Investment Logitech Intenational SA Endless Investments LLP Endless Investments LLP DSG International Plc D&M Holdings Inc DSG International Plc Lap Shun Hui O2 Vinzeo DSG International Plc Expert ASA Russia Cyprus Spain Russia USA UK UK Denmark Japanese Denmark Netherlands UK Spain Finland Sweden 26/02/2009 10/2/2009 20/10/2008 22/09/2008 31/08/2008 19/07/2007 1/5/2007 8/1/2007 3/1/2007 30/11/2006 16/10/2006 18/09/2006 2/3/2006 1/3/2006 3/1/2006 18 66 25 271 23 33 16 36 53 80 67 44 15 49 29 P/ EV P/Sales Ebitda P/Ebit 18 66 25 271 23 33 16 36 53 80 67 44 15 49 40 0.3 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.6 6.0 10.3 10.3 15.6 13.7 13.1 PE 28.3 22.3 29.5 Source: Mergermarket.com www.jaccar.net 56 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Sector-based transactions set 5 (in M EUR) Target Dicota Gmbh Philips Speech Recognition System Stone Computers Limited Scribona AB NUR Macroprinters Ltd PB Holding Company Pearson Plc Ezurio Limited Sonex Group UAB AT Computers Becom Informationsysteme Gmbh Advanet Inc Actebis Computers BV, Gmbh, SAS Knosos SL Sahara Holdings Review Video LLC Calamus Danmark A/S Elpro International Pty Ltd Anix Group Ltd ednet AG Servo Computer Services Limited Clarity Ireland Austin AB Packard Bell BV Fargo Electronics TPK Holdings Rectron Holdings Memorex Products Raisonnance SA Touchstar Technologies Limited Topnordic A/S Digital Network Services Deutschland PSC Inc Scitex Vision Ltd ASKO-TBS Consulting Cantata Technology Inc KISS Technology A/S Median Average Bidder Country Date Price Consortium of private investors Nuance Communications Inc RJD Private Eauity Fund II Tech Data AB Hewlett Packard Gateway M&F Worldwide Corporation Laird Group Plc Ementor ASA AB-SA Arxes Network Communication Consulting AG Eurotech s.p.a Arques Industries AG Amper SA Simeka BSG Westcom Group Inc Altaria AS The MTL Instruments Group Plc XploITE Plc Elecom Co Ltd Phoenix IT Group Ltd Westcoast Ltd Altor Equity Partners Lap Shun Hui HID Corporation Balda Investments Mustek Limited Imation Corporation Initiative et Finance Belgravium Technologies Plc Ementor Arrow Electronics Datalogic Hewlett Packard RBC Information Systems OAO EAS Group Cisco System Inc Germany Austria UK Sweden Israel Netherlands USA UK Lithuania Poland Germany Japan Europe Spain South Africa South Africa Denmark Australia UK Germany UK UK Sweden Netherlands USA Germany South Africa USA France UK Denmark Germany USA Israel Russia USA Denmark 17/12/2008 1/10/2008 6/4/2008 19/05/2008 29/02/2008 27/02/2008 22/02/2008 11/2/2008 21/01/2008 11/12/2007 5/12/2007 4/10/2007 28/09/2007 6/9/2007 31/08/2007 17/07/2007 5/7/2007 17/05/2007 4/4/2007 27/02/2007 3/11/2006 24/10/2006 23/10/2006 16/10/2006 4/8/2006 26/07/2006 8/6/2007 28/04/2006 19/04/2006 27/03/2006 8/3/2006 30/12/2005 1/12/2005 1/11/2005 26/10/2005 24/10/2005 6/9/2005 14 66 36 40 80 31 154 17 22 28 100 46 6 88 18 16 12 15 13 43 15 236 67 234 119 6 272 6 12 127 130 163 204 12 142 51 P/ EV P/Sales Ebitda P/Ebit 14 66 36 40 80 31 154 17 22 28 100 46 6 88 18 16 12 15 13 43 15 295 67 234 119 6 272 6 12 127 130 163 204 12 142 51 2.6 0.5 0.1 1.4 2 3.1 0.1 2.1 0.9 0.9 0.4 3.7 1.5 0.3 0.7 0.1 1.3 3.4 0.8 0.4 1.1 0.4 1 1.7 1.2 1.0 1.3 20.8 128.5 10.5 3.8 6 10.5 4 8.7 18.6 2.5 12.9 10.2 10.4 19.8 PE 9 10.6 5.4 10.6 10.9 20.1 11.7 3.9 15.7 19.5 16.1 10.8 11.7 58.2 10.7 14.3 3.1 17.2 30.6 7.6 7 18.7 92 40.8 15.8 25.9 P/Ebit da P/Ebit PE Source: Mergermarket.com Training division Sector-based transactions set 6 (in M EUR) Target Bidder Country Date Price White Beteiligungsgesellschaft Ness Technologies QA-IQ group limited Xpertise Group Plc Sparxent Inc. Logica Plc BT Singapore Pte Ltd ISIS Private Equity Partners CSC Limited Plc ACAL IT Limited Avnet Inc Arxes network Communication Consulting AG TDMI India Holding BV Metekan Sistem ve Bilgisayar Aktera Longview Solutions Inc Exact Holding NV Calyx Group Plc Stornoway Limited QA-IQ Group Limited Englefield Capital LLP auSytems Operations (France, Italy, Norway, UK) Devoteam SA auSytems Operations (Sweden, Denmark, Poland) Cybercom groupe Europe AB Scomagg Limited CSE-Servelec Group Limited Asseco Poland SA Sofbank SA Fritz & Macziol Gmbh Imtech NV Whale Communications Ltd Microsoft Corporation QA Plc QA-IQ Group Limited Matrix Communications Calyx Group Plc QED Business Systems Ltd Maxima Holdings Arxes Network Communication Consulting AG NDO Services BV Mount Lane Training and Implementation Solutions ILX Group Plc Median Average Germany Czech Republic UK UK USA Portugal Singapore 30/12/2008 1/10/2008 22/09/2008 26/08/2008 25/08/2008 7/3/2008 24/03/2008 13 43 17 3 11 138 92 13 43 17 3 11 138 92 0.5 1.5 0.6 0.1 0.9 6.6 3.1 8.1 15.1 3.9 10.9 6.6 - UK UK Germany Turkey Canada UK UK Europe Europe UK Poland Germany USA UK UK UK German UK 21/01/2008 17/12/2007 10/12/2007 19/11/2007 9/11/2007 26/07/2007 5/6/2007 2/4/2007 2/4/2007 8/1/2007 4/1/2007 28/08/2006 26/07/2006 19/06/2006 12/6/2006 15/05/2006 30/01/2006 23/11/2005 27 59 17 239 37 153 46 10 75 13 162 50 59 9 60 6 23 6 27 59 17 239 37 153 46 10 75 13 162 50 59 9 60 6 23 6 2.8 0.6 0.6 1.8 1.7 0.2 1 1.3 0.4 0.2 1.2 0.5 2.6 0.8 1.0 9.7 14.9 14 3.4 8.1 27 9.3 4.7 8.7 10.4 11.1 16 23.5 12.7 8.7 6.7 11.9 12.7 14.8 24.7 66.2 13.9 8 11.5 14.8 25.2 nextevolution AG Logos as Xpertise Group Plc Parity Training Limited Network D Corporation Edinfor Sistema Informaticos SA BT Fronline Pte Ltd EV P/Sales Source: Mergermarket.com www.jaccar.net 57 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Conclusion Valuation summary and recommendation Valuation summary Divisions FIS Software Telecommunication Training Distribution Media Other assets FPT securities (book value) Tienphong Bank (book value) FPT Capital (book value) Valuation - Debts - Minorities Total (in VND) Total (in USD) Number of shares Valuation per share (in VND) Valuation per share (in USD) Including country Discount (in VND) Including country Discount (in USD) Methods DCF 3,882,827 1,077,163 4,926,732 828,517 1,330,161 - Including country & holding Discount (in VND) Including country & holding Discount (in USD) Peer comparison Transactions 1,732,437 5,720,156 2,465,808 3,133,805 3,381,725 7,062,360 476,896 595,010 1,537,938 5,199,149 142,296 Valuation Total 3,778,473 2,225,592 5,123,606 633,474 2,689,083 142,296 243,500 53,000 158,500 32,000 13,651,327(*) (1,877) (526,235) 13,123,215 749.9 140 94,003 5.37 79,902 4.57 70,502 4.05 Source: Jaccar (*) after taking into account dividends payment for the DCF valuation (base: 40% of pay-out ratio) We adopt a Buy recommendation with a target price of VND 71,000 After the concatenation of the different methods applied, as well as the country discount (15%) and the holding discount (we apply 10% for taking into account the future equitization of two stakes and the small diversification recently made by the Group), our target price reached VND 71,000 (i.e. 4.05 USD). We have decided to adopt a BUY recommendation. The headwinds in economy and stock market have resulted in FPT stocks being traded in a fascinating valuation while the company keeps possessing the leading position in the most fruitful and highest growing sector - ICT. The huge IT spending in the public sector and financed by international institutions directly benefit FPT’s core businesses and keep its revenue rising. The company’s technology capacity and strong drivers gives us a positive view on its long term growth. Since 2008, the key financial ratios of FPT have been more and more reasonable, our P/E estimates of 2009 and 2010 are 9.5x and 8.8x. The global technology players seem to deal well with the recession during 1Q09, therefore, the peer comparison brings the attractive results to all sub divisions of FPT. Meanwhile, those lines are believed to retain high margins thanks to the potentiality of the emerging market, proper development strategies with a long term vision. That facilitates FCF performance and pops up the impressive DCFs for every key business line of FPT. Moreover, the company has not become a full holding model as it has still concentrated on its core IT segments and expanded less to the financial and banking sectors, the holding discount rate applied as relatively low as 10% is quite reasonable. Shareholders On 31 December 2008, FPT's chartered capital was VND 1,411 bn (USD 80.2 m), with a total volume of shares of 140,978,924, listed share volume of 139,787,819. The FPT's market capitalization value on 16 April 2009 was VND 8,177 bn (USD 490 m), the price was VND 58,000 (USD 3.48). www.jaccar.net 58 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Shareholder structure (February 25, 2009) State (SCIC) 7% Others 35% BOD,BOM, Supervisory Board, Chief Account. 30% Overseas 28% Source: FPT Quiet SCIC, chairman is the biggest shareholder, BoD and BoM own 30% The Government's holder representative, SCIC, currently owns 7.13% of FPT's shares. Althoug one of the key holders, they showed no significant influences on FPT's business operations. Mr.Truong Gia Binh, the chairman, is the biggest shareholder with 8.22%. The total share volume held by FPT's Board of Directors, Board of Management, Supervisory Board and the Chief Accountant is about 30.5%. Deutsche Bank AG London currently owns 4.34% The foreign-owned ratio of shares is more than 28%, so there is still plenty of room for foreign investors. Deutsche Bank AG London is the biggest foreign shareholder of FPT, with the shareholding of 4.34%. On February 25, 2009, other foreign institutional shareholders recorded are Red River holding (3.21%), Citigroup Global Markets Financial Products LLC (2.19%), UBS AG London branch (1.66%), TPG Ventures - FPT, LLC (1.26%). A new foreigner is appointed to be BoD member The company management team is well balanced between the foreign side and others, with sleeping SCIC, FPT board seems to keep the full control on the operations and management decisions. The first foreign member on BoD, Mr. Jonathon Ralph Alexander Waugh from Oshan Fund, was appointed in the Annual General Meeting last March, which is an effort to improve transparency in corporate governance. Management Team FPT's board of management is a board of highly skilled, qualified and dynamic managers, along with Vietnam's leading experts in IT industry, whose involvement might influence national ICT development projects and policies. • Truong Gia Binh – the Fleet Admiral As one of the 13 founders of FPT in 1988, Mr. Truong Gia Binh has been the captain of the FPT vessel, driving it through challenges and critical milestones of its business history with remarkably successive growth in the last 20 years. He outlined important strategic targets for FPT in each phase of its development: from trading with Eastern Europe, to the first initiative of entering the ICT market, then going global. Truong Gia Binh has been a critical factor to most FPT’s successes. www.jaccar.net 59 TELECOMMUNICATIONS He has some influence in ICT sector policies Nam is the general of software troops Binh has a communist family background, and was married to a daughter of General Vo Nguyen Giap, a great leader of Vietnam's national army. He studied in the former Soviet Union, earning a Ph.D. in mathematics and physics in Moscow in 1982, and worked as an associate professor in Germany in 1981. Binh has held a number of important roles in Vietnam ICT industry and business: head of business management faculty, National University of Hanoi; Senior Member of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and Vietnam Association for Information Processing (VAIP); President of Vietnam Software Association (Vinasa). In 2009, he will leave the position of FPT CEO, still be chairman for better focusing on developing the company’s ecitizen initiatives as well as training the next generation of senior executives. Truong Gia Binh is considered to have a leading enterprise management mind in Vietnam, and an influential player to policies related to the ICT development and telecommunication investments of the Government of Vietnam. He is the architect of software industry investment, such as the Lang Hoa Lac high-tech park participated in by several investors coming from Japanese and domestic IT and telecommunication business communities. • Mr. Nguyen Thanh Nam, CEO – new image and new hope for FPT Nam received his PhD in Mathematics in Lomonosov University, Moscow in 1988 and began his career at FPT Corporation, as one of the first Programmers, System Analysts and Designers, in the same year. He then focused on business software in banking and enterprise management and his team participated in almost all the major computerization projects in Vietnam during the next decade. In 1997, Nam and Binh were determined to establish FPT Software as a key player in the global software market. With the establishment of the FPT Software division in late 1999, Nam was appointed CEO and Managing Director. In 10 years, the export sales volume of FPT Software has risen by 90 times, with an increase of human resources from 17 to 3,000 people. Nam has made FPT Software the biggest Vietnamese software service provider, entering the list of top regional outsourcing companies with subsidiaries and clients all over the world. FPT Software has become the front line unit of FPT's globalization strategy. He become CEO of FPT Corporation since Apr 09 A FPT founder and key top manager, Ngoc got a top CIO award Since December 2008, Nam has become the new chairman of FPT Software. Since April 2009, Nam has become the highest manager, CEO of the FPT Corporation in replacement for Mr. Binh. This position showed the confidence of Binh and the BOM in Nam's ability in encouraging FPT forces as well as the deployment of strategies on Software - IT services, eCitizen, and Globalization in order to lead FPT to regional level with substantial development. • Mr. Bui Quang Ngoc: Vice-Chairman of the BOD, Deputy General Director As one of the first members of FPT, Mr. Bui Quang Ngoc is a key leader of FPT, with crucial contribution to FPT development foundation. He has intensive expertise in Vietnam IT industry with excellent project management skills. Since the 90s, he had managed a number of Vietnam's software and IT projects for the Government, including national defense, state-owned banks and enterprises. In 2005 he was gained an award as one of the top Indochinese CIOs by IDG. Mr. Bui Quang Ngoc graduated from Math Department of Kishinhov University, the Republic of Moldova, and earned a PhD degree in Data Consolidations at Grenoble University in France. He currently serves as the Vice-Chairman of the BOD, Deputy General Director, FPT-IS Chairman, Head of Council of Shareholders, and QA Director of FPT. • Mr. Do Cao Bao: Member of the Management Board, Vice General Director Do Cao Bao is among FPT’s 13 founders. One of the most renowned software experts in Vietnam during the 1984 -1992 period, he contributed to many national information technology projects such as the construction of the National Internet Network, Profiling Network (Ministry of Public Security), Unified Communication Infrastructure Network for the finance industry, Billing application and Customer Service Network for the electricity sector. www.jaccar.net 60 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Bao leads FPT IS to become the most important division of FPT Graduating from the National Military Technology University in 1984 majoring in Controlled Mathematics, he has taken up posts in many different institutions such as: Combat Department of the General Staff Ministry, the Vietnam National Mechanic Institute, the National Information Technology Institute. Mr. Bao also worked in the IT sector in Germany and France in the 1980s. He has helped FPT Information System become the 1,700-staff-strong company it is today from just 16. Beside these key people are Mr. Le Quang Tien and Mr. Hoang Minh Chau. Both are Vice Presidents of the Management Board, Vice General Director of FPT Corporation, also have an open mind and great contribution to FPT development. Tien is a founding member and co-author of financial system in FPT. Chau has been director of FPT Branch in HoChiMinh City since 1990, has joined hands in building FPT HoChiMinh City from a small branch, surpassing other well-known IT companies in the area to become a leading organization in the South. www.jaccar.net 61 TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKET DYNAMICS FPT’s Vision Clear vision with long term values FPT literally messages its vision: “FPT strives to be a company guided by technology innovations, committing to the highest level of customer and shareholder satisfaction, contributing at best to the society, and having the most favorable working environment for all employees that enables them to explore their maximum potential in professional career as well as spiritual life”. The above clear vision implies a long term value and ability to encourage its internal resources to strive for the corporation development. The results it has got over 20 years show the evidence of this sound vision. A trip over 20 years Proud 20 year history to become the 1stprivate conglomerate of 15 affiliated companies in ICT … FPT Corporation, formerly the Food Processing Technology Company, was founded in 1988. In 1990, the Company was renamed The Corporation for Financing and Promoting Technology and opened its first branch in HCM city. In 1994, the Company established its IT service and equipment distribution centers. The Company was granted licenses to be the first Internet service provider (ISP) and content service provider (ICP) in Vietnam in 1998. In 1999, it launched new expansion initiatives in software development and IT specialist training. In 2002, the Group completed its equitization procedures, and was licensed to be Internet Exchange provider (IXP). Then it entered the Vietnamese brand computer market by a PC production factory. In 20032005, the Company became the holding company of several subsidiaries in a variety of high-tech businesses, including: system integration, software solutions, telecommunication, media and mobile technologies. 2006 marked an important milestone in the history of FPT with its business involvement: granted USD 36.5 m by Texas Pacific Group and Intel Capital, it launched the Hoa Lac and HCM City High-tech Zone development projects, started its business initiatives in real estate, opened the FPT University, and officially listed in HoSE in December 2006. Then FPT continued its quest for new markets, such as financial - banking, real estate and retailing business. At present, FPT is a conglomerate of 15 affiliated companies operating in 6 major sectors. www.jaccar.net 62 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Organization chart CORPORATION BRANCHES & REP. OFFICES FPT Ho Chi Minh FPT Da Nang FPT Can Tho MEMBER IT and Telecommunication Real Estates FPT Service Company FPT Promo Company (60%) FPT Communications Co. Ltd. FPT Trading Group • • • Finance and Banking FPT HoaLac High-tech Park Development FPT Land Company FPT Distribution Company FPT Retail Company FPT Mobile Company Education and Training FPT Securities JSC. (25%) FPT University TienPhong Bank (15%) FPT Capital JSC. (33%) • • • • • FPT Aptech Computer Education FPT Arena Multimedia FPT University in Hanoi FPT University in Hochiminh City Da Nang Enrollment Office FPT Information System Company • • • • • • • FPT Information System for Financing and Banking Services FPT Information System for Telecom and Public Services FSE Information System FPT Public Finance Solution FPT ERP Services FPT Information System Services FDR Software Development FPT Telecom JSC. (43.5%) • FPT Telecom North Co., Ltd • FPT Telecom South Co., Ltd • FPT Telecom International Co., Ltd • FPT Internet Data Service Co., Ltd • FPT Communications Co., Ltd. • FPT Interactive Media Co., Ltd. • FPT Network Co., Ltd • FPT Telephone Co., Ltd. • FPT Online JSC. (23.62%) FPT Software Company (68.89%) • • • • • • • FPT FPT FPT FPT FPT FPT FPT FPT Technology Development Center Software Japan Software Asia Pacific Software Malaysia Software EUROPE USA Australia Ltd. Software Solution Co., ltd. Sources: FPT … and diversify to financial and banking sectors Regarding organizational structure, FPT has several subsidiaries and affiliated companies, which are joint-stock or limited liabilities companies. FPT is the dominant holding party, with a majority voting control of 60%-100% in most of its IT and telecommunication affiliated companies. Like other successful enterprises in Vietnam, FPT has also diversified into financial services. It has invested VND 110 bn for a 25% stake in FPT Securities which commenced operation in October 2007 and VND150bn for a 10% stake in FPT Bank. In addition, it has also invested VND36.3bn in FPT fund management company for 33% of its stake. The core ICT business lines still secure the growth Despite its latest expansion, FPT is still channeling corporate resources into the IT industry, the heart of its business, for substantial development. With its loyal partners, the establishment of these new businesses has allowed FPT to promote supportive financial channels for its corporate visions of globalization, as well as to take full advantage of its well-positioned leadership in IT industry for better business performance. The Group has thus avoided certain critical effects from the recent crisis in Vietnam financial and securities markets, and moved on with its stable growth. Sole ownership of large contribution affiliated companies FPT is the sole owner of its affiliated companies with large contribution to its revenue structure, such as FPT Distribution, FPT Soft, FPT-IS and others. FPT's ownership ratio in FPT Telecom was less than 50%, (the other is state-owned portion) which qualified FPT Telecom as a stateowned corporation in terms of equity ratio requirements for full telecommunication license holders. www.jaccar.net 63 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Having plans to equitize some divisions FPT's strategy aims at a more independent development for its subsidiaries, and then when the time comes, they will be equitized and listed on stock markets. In 2008, FPT-IS and FPT Telecom transformed into corporation form with 7 and 6 affiliated companies, providing supports for these two corporations for a more flexible and independent operational framework. In 2009, FPT also restructured its distribution networks by merging all sub divisions into FPT Trading Group, prepared for FPT Distribution's PC production, the FPT Elead, and planned to equitize FPT IS and FTG. A shot of Formula 1 FPT is always at top rank in ICT sector, blue chip in stock market and has some overseas branches FPT is a leading ICT corporation and has been in the top 10 highest market cap companies in Vietnam in 2008. FPT has a diversified scope of business, including: System integration, Software solutions and exports, ERP services, Telecom and IT products distributions, Internet access and Online content services, Education and training, Computers assemblies, Research and development, Real estate and infrastructure development investment, Banking and Financial services, Retails, Media and Advertisements. Having its Head Quarter in Hanoi, branches in major cities and provinces in Vietnam, with a staff profile of more than 8,500 and software development subsidiaries in Japan, France, US, Australia and Malaysia, FPT is also the 1stranked corporation of the Top 500 leading enterprises of Vietnam (VNR500). Last 10 year magic development to reach USD 1 bn sales in 2008 In the last 10 years, FPT has kept breaking records in business growth, with its revenue increased by 25 times, profit ratio by 137 times, and in the period of 2001 - 2007 having reached a growth rate of 40%, and more than 20% in 2008 with about USD 1 bn sales. Having high ranking partnership with key global IT vendors FPT has developed partnerships with several key players in the global IT market, such as Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, Nokia, Cisco, HP, SAP, Mitsubishi, etc. Its expertise and performance in IT and telecommunication sectors are second to none, and have reached regional level. FPT can handle ten-million-dollar IT projects. The local playground was no longer fit its operational scale, since the last 2 years, the Group's management board has directed its business to global markets, with expansion initiatives in every major business sector. Benefits from a vast customer base of many valuable clients in public and financial sector In the domestic market, FPT has a vast customer base, consisting of government agencies, such as Ministry of Finance, General Department of Taxation, National Treasury, General Department of Customs; major corporations and groups in private sector clients, VNPT, Vietnam Airlines Corporation, biggest state-owned corporation in oil, gas, and steel industries, and other leading foreign and domestic banking institutions: VCB, BIDV, Vietinbank, Agribank, SCB, HSBC, ANZ, and other international financial organizations, etc. The company has the strongest presence in the financial and public administration services. Besides its pioneering unit entering the global market - FPT Software, FPT’s system integration unit has started its first successful project in the ASEAN region. Having a combination of 5 important success factors The key factors of FPT's success include: (i) a highly qualified management team with welldefined corporate visions and strategies, supported by skilled staffs with high commitment, (ii) a widespread distribution network, (iii) leadership in Vietnam high-tech industries with high ranking partnerships with several global technology giants; (iv) a broad client base in software development; (v) a state-of-art IT and telecommunication infrastructure; www.jaccar.net 64 TELECOMMUNICATIONS In the big scene of ICT 2008 global IT spending rose 7%, 2009 forecast decline 5% and IT world will hardly recover until 2011 In 2008, according to Gartner, the global IT expenditure was estimated at USD 1,412 bn, an increase of 7%, in which USD 810 bn were spent on IT services, + 7.6%; almost 42% of this expenditure included software outsourcing and development, IT-based management and production processes, and BPO (Business Process Outsourcing). But the global financial crisis had left critical damages to IT industry, with a series of warnings of sales decline for IT key players, and gloomy predictions for 2009. IDC lowered its forecast for the global IT growth expenditure from 5.9% in August 2008 to 2.6% in November, the figure stopped at 0.5% in the 1st quarter of 2009. The lastest forecast from Gartner has shocked by a negative number, “ICT will see about USD 3.2 trn in spending this year, compared with nearly USD 3.4 trn in 2008”, decline of 3.8%, among which telecom down by 2.8%, sharply decline in IT of 5%. The world IT market could hardly recover until 2011. Worldwide IT Spending Forecast (in bn USD) 2008 Spending 2008 Growth in% 2009 Spending 2009 Growth in % Computing Hardware Software IT Services Subtotal - IT Telecom All ICT 381 221.9 809.5 1412.4 1948 4772.8 2.8 10.3 7.6 6.7 5.6 6.1 324.3 222.6 796.1 1343 1891.2 4577.2 -14.9 0.3 -1.7 -4.9 -2.9 -3.8 Source Gartner Inc., 03/2009 Vietnam ICT has still developed well thanks to a combination of government ICT investment, stimulation package and huge finance from World Bank However, Vietnam saw some more positive signs with a total IT expenditure in 2009, as estimated by IDC, at USD 2.3 bn, accounting for 2.97% of its GDP, an increase of 7.4% compared with 2008. But this growth rate indicated a real problem in comparison with its rate of 20-30% in previous years. 2008's total revenue of the industry reached approx. USD 4.5 bn, with an overall growth rate of 20%, in which the telecommunication and electronic device industries account for USD 2.8 bn (USD 2.4 bn for exporting, and the other USD 400 m coming from domestic consumption), an increase of 16%; the computer hardware industry also gained USD 700 m (+ 16%); the software industry USD 600 m (+ 20%); and the digital content industry USD 270 m (+ 50%). Vietnam IT industry is forecast to grow 7.4% in 2009, 12.4% by 2010, and 18% by 2011 The gloomy outlook of both world and domestic economy in 2009 - 2010 period have put Strategy for Development of Information Technology towards 2010, which was approved by Vietnam government in 2007, at stake. This initiative was supposed to ensure an annual growth rate of 20% - 25%, with a total revenue of USD 6 - 7 bn by 2010; and by 2020, the growth rate would reach 20%, with a total revenue of USD 15 bn. Those targets seem very hard to reach. However, this very tough period may show up the most favourable opportunities in Vietnam market: The government has insisted on their e-Government and e-Commerce modeling, with reinforced investment in demand stimulation and financial supports by World Bank; and shaping telecommunication projects with next-generation technologies convergence and high volume of investments (Vietnam telecommunication industry was forecasted to grow by 40% in 2009), and the financial and banking institutions, once having their organizational restructuring completed to deal with financial crisis, will channel their investments into IT industry and applications for a better competitive edge. So, the Vietnam IT industry is forecast to grow 7.4% in 2009, 12.4% by 2010, and 18% by 2011. Hardware vs. software Services and software will surpass hardware and networking in IT structure Regarding IT industry structure, the value-added services and software development sectors tends to surpass the hardware and networking device ones. IDC predicted that the software expenditure would raise from 19.3% in total IT expenditure increase in 2007 to 20.8% by 2012 www.jaccar.net 65 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Worldwide IT spending by Technology 2007 Worldwide IT spending by Technology 2012 Services, 38.80% Hardware, 30.90% Services, 39.30% Software, 19.30% Hardware, 31.60% Software, 20.80% Networking equipment, 10.20% Source: IDC Networking equipment, 9.10% Source: IDC Software CARG of 4.2%, IT sector CARG of 2.6% in the period of 20072012 The software development sector is the pioneering driver for global IT expenditure growth, thanks to its value-added services. The CAGR on software spending implies an increase of 4.2% from 2007 to 2012. The CAGR for overall IT industry is 2.6%, with the slowest growth in the networking equipment sector with a CAGR of only 1.3%. Japan & Asia-Pacific grows fastest Regarding regional markets, software-related revenues of Japan & Asia-Pacific regions have been always at highest level. Enterprise Software Revenue Growth by areas (in %) 2006 2007 2008 Americas EMEA Asia Pacific And Japan 9.8 8.9 10.1 10 18 12.7 7.5 12.7 12.6 2009 2010 2011 2012 8 7.2 10.4 7.5 6.5 9.9 7.5 6.4 9.6 7.1 6.2 9.2 Source Gartner SAP got the big 2008 success in Japan & AsiaPacific, especially in Vietnam, Cambodia and Pakistan with growth rate of 89% According to latest reports from SAP - a major partner of FPT and most local software companies, 2008 saw growth rate of 23% for SAP in Asia-Pacific & Japan, including US$ 758 m revenue from software and USD 1,521 bn (+24%) from related services. In ASEAN regions, SAP software sector has grown by 20%, related services increased 19%, especially in Vietnam, Cambodia and Pakistan (emerging markets) with the highest growth rate of 89%. Vietnam software outsourcing growth speed likely falls Regarding domestic development, the growth rate of the software industry remained at 20% for 2008, falling sharply from the 40% growth of 2007, and also much lower than the targeted rate of 35% as most forecast in early 2008 (Source: Vinasa). The oversea markets are used to play a crucial role in Vietnam's total software revenue, but due to impacts of the economic slowdown and recent cut-off in IT expenditures worldwide, these markets has shrunk a great deal. Some companies even faced bad debts due to their client's payment problems. Several local software developers have accepted new challenges caused by this financial crisis, and adjusted their business strategies and plans. The domestic market has been targeted by some software companies as an alternative goal. Vinasa had to outline an assistance program for software companies to deal with this crisis, including pro-outsourcing initiatives, overseas sales increase, and guidance on product and market development strategies. However, Vietnam still has a fighting chance with its position among the top 30 countries with most favourable conditions for international outsourcing business, and HCM City took the 4th rank in the Top 50 emerging cities of best software outsourcing investment in the world. In the Asian-Pacific regions, Vietnam is among the Top 10 leading countries in software outsourcing services with most competitive labour costs. According to IDC's forecast, the growth rate of Vietnam software development industry in the period of 2009 - 2011 is expected between 15% - 18%. www.jaccar.net 66 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Telecommunications: be still a light source… or the best? Telecommunication keeps a steady growth, a hope for FTTH in Asia Surpassing the IT industry, there is still a possibility for global telecommunication industry to reach 7% by 2012, in which Asian-Pacific regions are of approx. 8%, outrunning the North American & Middle East and African regions with an annual growth rate of 8.6% (according to Gartner). Regarding Internet market, ABI Research indicated an estimated global broadband subscription volume of 520 million by 2014, and in the next 6 years, the annual growth rate would reach 7%. There are certain signs of market saturation in DSL services, with a new trend towards FTTH services. According to another report from Heavy Reading, the growth rate of FTTH service subscribers will be of 30% by 2012, and Asian markets will be among the hottest regions with 54 million out of 89 million subscribers in total by 2012. Vietnam telecommunication is booming, we forecast Vietnam Internet CARG of 25% over 2009-2012 This is also the most highlighted sector of Vietnam IT & telecommunication markets: with the robust rise of Internet & telecommunication applications, the surge of telephony subscription volume, with a total number of networked telephones of 82.3 million units, of which mobile telephone subscribers account for 85.5%, and a teledensity of 97.5 units/100 inhabitants. There are 20.67 million Internet users nation-wide, with a density of 24.20%. The total volume of broadband subscribers had reached approx. 2 million. The 2008 total sector revenue was VND 92,445 bn, an increase of 38% compared with 2007. The submitted state budget was VND 11,831 bn, +22% (Source: MIC). Despite the economic slowdown, Vietnam Internet telecommunication development remained at high pace. Jaccar forecasts that the average growth rate of broadband Internet subscribers in the period of 2009 - 2012 will be 17% - 49%. CAGR of Internet services and transmission line in the 4-year period will be approx. 25%. Now …as its worst: Distribution Sharp falling in IT distribution, -5% in 2009 The distribution segment is forecast to fall dramatically due to the global crisis. According to IDC, by the end of 2008, the growth rate was only 3.8%, with a 12.6% decrease for 4Q08. 2009 will see a 2.2% sales decrease in handheld devices, compared with 2008. Only smartphone products will show a positive signal with 8.9% sales rising worldwide. It is expected to resume a positive growth rate by 2010. But not before late 2011, will the mobile sales possibly restore 2digit growth rate. According to a recent report by Merrill Lynch, it is said that the sales volume of mobile devices in emerging markets might fall 5% compared with 2008. 2009 PC market down 4.5% As for PCs, IDC also suggested a 4.5% decrease worldwide. Only computer hardware has a sharp decline of 15%. This slowdown trend is also inevitable in Vietnam PC market, which is predicted to recover in 18 months at the earliest. While PC and IT device sector suffers from a price decline, the mobile telephone business will only be affected by price decreases, since Vietnamese consumers still enjoy handphones for low and medium price. As a result, the sales volume for this particular segment of mobile products maintained its growth, although much lower than its previous growth rate of 40% in the period of 2006-2008. Visible threats from foreign distributor and direct sale from manufacturers in local market behind WTO gate In addition, from 1 January 2009, 100% foreign-owned retail companies have been allowed to enter this market (according to WTO commitments), which might leave deep impacts on retailing sectors. In preparing for new market accession in early 2009, many manufacturers have offered their products directly to key retailers like Sony, or have planned to directly approach their endusers. In 2008, a number of other players, including Asus, Gigabyte, HP, and Lenovo, outlined their proactive preparation plan even though they has still depended on their local distributors. Their representative offices have started their own marketing and brand positioning plans, and conducted direct negotiation with retailers on discounts. Therefore, the existing distributors would only work as the intermediary of import and distribution with declined earnings. Once these players completed their own customer service and maintenance centers, they will certainly move to the next step with the establishment of Vietnam-100% legal entity for direct distribution to current retailers. At present, several hardware manufacturers are developing their independent warrantee programs and systems in Vietnam. As for retailing sectors, foreign players show a slower penetration, with an expected period of 1.5 - 2 years for IT product retailing concerning www.jaccar.net 67 TELECOMMUNICATIONS post-sales warrantee services. International retailer corporations usually authorize their suppliers or hire their local partners for warrantee services, and may be standby until other hardware manufacturers launch their own warrantee systems. Battles in the field FPT key subsidiaries Company Key business Capacity Customers FPT Information System IT system Integrator, solution supplier and software developer in terms of designing, building, providing solutions for IT system in different fields; which include Software solutions, BPO, ERP, Network system, Security information systems, Intelligent building solutions, Stored systems, Backup and recovery systems Data center systems and services, Maintenance, etc. + Government Clients: Ministry of Finance, Tax Bureau, State Treasury , General Tax Bureau, Customs Head Office, State Securities Commission of Vietnam, Department of National Reserve, Ministry of Public Security, and other dozen ministries and government agencies + Large corporations in telecommunication, transportation and other sectors like VNPT, Viettel, EVN, VNA, Vietsovpetro, PetroVietnam + All banks, many hospitals and international organizations etc. FPT Trading Group + Projects in banking, Health and education sectors, Government agencies + Retailed customers FPT Software FPT Telecom FPT university + Highest ranking partnership (Gold Partner) of Top global IT vendor: Cisco, Microsoft, CheckPoint; Certified Advantage Partner by Oracle. + 1st Diamond Partner of Symantec in Vietnam + Top Vietnam Partner for 2008 by SAP, Strategic Service Partner agreement with SAP in APAC- Japan + Cisco Best Partner in Asia 2007, 2008 Five accreditations by Cisco for Leading System Integrator, Leading Hi-tech Partner, Leading Security Partner, Leading Service Partner and Best Satisfied partner. + Top Applications Partner for 2008 by Oracle + Best IT provider by Ministry of Information and Communication + 2008 Sao Khue award for the software “FPT.SmartConnect” + 2008 cup for Leading software provider in Vietnam. + Owning more than 1000 international certificates granted by world leading providers such as IBM, HP, Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, SUN, ArInfo, Diebold, Checkpoint, Netscreen, etc. Distributor of IT hardware, software, + 956 agents covering 53 out of 64 cities and devices, game applications & mobile provinces (396 for IT, 560 for mobile handsets, simcards distribution) + 60 prestige partners incl.IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, HP, Nokia, Toshiba, Oracle, Samsung, Cisco, Dell, Lynksys, Nortel, 3Com, Veritas, Computer Associates, Apple, Intel, Symantec, NEC, Seagate, MSI, Foxconn, Sandisk, Logitech, Motorola, Vertu, HTC + Best distributor of authentic merchandise in Vietnam Outsourcing BPO, ERP, QA Testing and + CMMI 5 certificates, BS7799, ISO Embedded services, 9001:2000 certificates + Overseas branches in Japan, Singapore, the US, Australia, France and Malaysia + 3 out of 4 software awards in Vietnam ICT Award 2008: Best software company; Best revenue, Best quality management + EU: Harvey Nash, IBM France, IBM Benelux, Neopost + Vietnam: Unilever, Vinamilk + Asia Pacific: Iperintis, IBM Singapore, Jurong Port, Petronas, Schoroders Investment Management + Japan: Canon IT Solutions, Fujifilm Group, Hitachi Group, IBM Japan, JIP, Kyocera Group, Mizuho Trust Systems, NAM, NCS, Nomura Research Institute, Panasonic Group, Sanyo Group, Sanyo Group, Toshiba Group, TIS, USOL Vietnam + The US: Ambient Consulting, Agilis Solutions, CourtTrax, DataLab, Freescale, IBM US, MSNBC, Tamale, Triwire Providing both internet networks and + Advanced infrastructure: Wimax Wifi, + Government Clients: Ministry of internet-based value added services such ADSL 2+, VDSL2+, FTTH in 8 big provinces Finance, Ministry of Industry, as online game, IPTV, server and web and cities, MLPS, 20Gbps International Commerce, Ministry of Public hosting, online ads, etc. Bandwidth Security, and other dozen + Fast-grown value added services, IPTV, ministries and government Online game, digital music, SMS, VoIP, triple- agencies play, hosting, server-related services + Large corporations in telecommunication and other sectors like VNPT, VNA, Ford motor Vietnam, Toyota Vietnam, Unilever Vietnam etc. + Banks, Embassies and international organizations IT Academic education and link with 1,800 students, training facilities in Hanoi, Aptech Hochiminh City and Da nang Source s:FPT, Jaccar www.jaccar.net 68 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Revenue and profit performance by business lines ( in bn VND) 2007 Revenue Rev. Contribution PBT margin Profit Contribution System Integration Software Telecom Training Distribution Retail Media Maintenance Services 1,814 476 842 65 10,154 59 83 5 13.43% 3.53% 6.23% 0.48% 75.21% 0.43% 0.62% 0.04% 10.0% 36.3% 27.0% 31.6% 4.7% -18.0% 18.0% 92.4% Others Total 2 13,499 0.01% -3402.3% 7.6% 2008 Revenue Y/Y Growth Rev. Contribution 17.6% 16.8% 22.1% 2.0% 46.1% -1.0% 1.5% 0.4% 2,714 707 1,287 135 11,066 223 167 28 49.7% 48.4% 52.9% 107.1% 9.0% 281.3% 99.6% 451.8% 16.6% 4.3% 7.9% 0.8% 67.6% 1.4% 1.0% 0.2% -5.5% 56 16,382 3290.6% 21.4% 0.3% PBT Profit Margin Contribution 11.8% 31.7% 27.7% 32.4% 4.0% -7.9% 12.6% 79.4% 307.7% 20.5% 25.9% 18.1% 28.8% 3.5% 35.4% -1.4% 1.7% 1.8% -13.9% Source: FPT FPT-IS - “Steel Punch” with system integration, software development and ERP services FPT-IS has a diverse client base, esp. in financial and public sector FPT-IS is the ICT company with the largest market shares in Vietnam, with 3 major businesses of system integration, ERP and software solutions. FPT-IS operates as a holding corporation of 7 affiliated companies specializing in each business line. FPT-IS has developed most of the national IT and communication infrastructure, with a diverse client base covering a wide range of areas, including national defense, ministerial bodies, government offices, education organizations, telecommunication companies and corporations, and transportation enterprises. Especially, it dominates the public financial and banking sectors with several key clients, such as Ministry of Trade, General Department of Taxation, National Treasure, State Bank of Vietnam, and major banks like VCB and BIDV, Agribank. FPT IS holds over 1,000 IT certificates, hence becoming the top Vietnam partner of most global vendors FPT IS is the second largest company of FPT in terms of revenue, contributing 16.6% of its gross 2008 revenue with a remarkable growth rate of 50%, 20% higher than planned. FPT IS is now the only Vietnam IT company being selected as a golden partner of all four international key players in networking technologies, system development, software and security, namely Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle and Checkpoint. FPT IS is also a premium partner of more than 20 other firms with top IT experts holding 1000 international certificates and credentials in IT and solutions. FPT IS has always been selected as a best partner of the year by Cisco, SAP and Oracle in terms of revenue criteria, project volume and technical team quality. www.jaccar.net 69 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Market share in system integration (in %) Visco, 3.5% ONE, 3.5% ISP, 4.0% DTS, 4.0% Hong Co, 4.0% Tecapro, 4.0% FPT, 47.7% HiPT, 5.1% CMC, 8.1% Elcom, 7.9% HPT, 8.2% Source s: Jaccar, FPT FPT IS occupied 48% system integration market shares The 2008 total domestic market value of integrated systems and solutions was approx. USD 340 m, in which FPT IS's revenue accounts for 48%, equivalent to approx. USD 162 m. FPT IS has been the key player dominating the domestic IT market, with its annual gross revenue 7 times higher than that of the second largest company. Among its areas of business, banking revenue reached USD 80 m, telecommunication and public service sectors USD 34 m, enterprise solutions USD 18 m, software and services USD 24 m (USD 17.5 m for software development, USD 6.5 m for service business), software exporting USD 1.5 m. Having capacity to deal ten- million IT projects FPT IS has continuously focused on building up its capacity in order to be able to manage some USD 50-million system integrated projects, and some USD20-million software development projects. By late 2008 and early 2009, FPT IS consistently won a series of major projects, including: USD 15 m of personal taxation service package in 3 years, the ATM systems for Agribank of approx. USD 7.5 m, and a USD 4 m data solution for Vietnam's General Statistics Office. By December 2008, the total value of 2009 transferred contracts accounted for approx. USD 75 m. FPT IS will secure its top leadership in the domestic IT industry and globalize software and service outsourcing business, targeting the South East Asian & Japanese markets, with an income contribution of 20% to FPT's gross revenue. FPT has planned to equitise FPT IS to improve the division’s independence and effectiveness, but no more than 10% of its chartered capital will be sold in the initial period. High growth rate of 50% in 2008 Next to a light decline of FPT IS's revenue in 2007, 2008 witnessed a surge in FPT IS's revenue with a growth rate of 50%, and its pre-tax profit margin was more than 11.8%, thanks to a series of major projects in financial-banking sectors, taxation & customs, security, aviation, and other IT infrastructure and solution investment projects ordered by key domestic players as well as FDI enterprises for their enhancement in international competitiveness at the WTO accession of Vietnam. Its revenue is forecasted to grow of 19%, 15% and 27% with slight decrease in pre-tax margin in 2009-2011 However, the global economic slump has left a great impact on IT expenditure, with Vietnam IT spending rate expected to reach 7% in 2009. However, the tough situation brings great opportunities, such as: demand stimulus package and IT expenditure by the government, and recent huge projects financed by World Bank to Vietnam public financial sector and IT system modernization. At the same time, although the private companies and financial - banking institutions have had to struggle to survive during the crisis, the small and medium enterprise sector turned their attentions to business management software solutions for more effective www.jaccar.net 70 TELECOMMUNICATIONS operations and competitiveness. With a series of major contracts with the government, FPT IS's revenue is forecast to rise about 19%, earning more than USD 185 m in 2009. The recovery of the global economy and FDI's capital flows in 2010 will be the base for FPT-IS to maintain its growth rate of 15%. In addition, its positioning in solution and service export sectors aiming at regional and Japanese markets, along with the stabilization of international markets, will help FPT IS raise its export volume to 20 times higher than that of 2008, with a revenue growth speed of 27% by 2011. FPT IS's contribution percentage of FPT's gross revenue will be 10%, 21% and 22% by 2009, 2010, and 2011 respectively. FPT IS will have a slight decrease in profit before tax margin, ranging from 11.5% to 10% in the next 3 years to win future projects and maintain its development speed in the situation of increasing competitiveness both domestically and internationally. FPT IS human resource is expected to increase from 2 - 2.5 times by 2011. FPT software - Flagship for Globalization FPT Software got CMMi 5 and 6 overseas branches Vietnam software outsourcing is growing, but small scale and low quality With their belief in the globalization dream and from what they learned from their failure overseas in the 1999 - 2000 period, today FPT Software has gained remarkable achievements, with a software export volume increase by 90 times within 10 years of operation, powered by a 2,700-strong workforce of highly qualified expertise, awarded a 5-level CMMi (Capability Maturity Model Integration in software development) certificate. FPT Software has launched its representative offices in Japan (2005), Singapore (2007), the U.S, Australia, France, and Malaysia (2008). Vietnam software industry is a robust sector with a large number of participants, including some 3,000 domestic companies with approx. 40,000 programmers, but only 800 – 1,000 of them can secure their business with stable performance and most of them are small businesses. The domestic software development companies with a workforce of 1,000 employees or more, which are considered a large-scale business in Vietnam but much smaller than other Indian, Chinese and Philippines giants with tens of thousands employees, are quite a few, namely FPT Software, TMA solutions, and CSC. Those with highest growth pace, such as Global CyberSoft, CMC Soft, NCS, Tinh Van, Luvina, etc. still have not yet reach that level of FPT human resources. Besides, there is also a big gap in business scale and capacity among these software developers. According to Ho Chi Minh Computer Association (HCA), among 30 leading software enterprises of this city, the total earnings of the top 5 were VND 890 bn or USD 556 m (while the total earning of all 30 enterprises was approx. VND 1,400 bn or USD 875 m) in 2007. This gap (in revenues) between the leading company and the last-ranked one is of... 958 times! The weakness of Vietnam enterprises is reflected in its capital insufficiency, unstable capacity, poor foreign language communication and quality assurance. However, Vietnam is considered as an attractive destination for software outsourcers, key international players in software industry, such as NEC Solutions, Harvey Nash, Hitachi, and Kloon GmbH have established their partnership, collaboration or merger with other local companies to run outsourcing business here. FPT Software is the best and the biggest Among the domestic business community, FPT Software has always taken the 1st rank with world-class quality for its solutions. FPT Software also won three of a total of four Vietnam ICT Awards on 14 March 2009 for the software company of best software business development, highest revenue and best quality assurance practice. 2008 growth of 48%, net margin of 30%, EPS of USD 0.53 In 2008, its revenue was VND 707 bn (USD 42 m), an increase of 48%, contributed 4% of FPT's income, but its profit before tax margin was 32%, accounting for 18% of the company PBT, net margin was 30%, the net attributed profit to FPT corporation was VND 134 bn (USD 8m). 2008's EPS of FPT Software was as high as VND 8,968 (USD 0.53). Other local competitors, such as CMC and Tinh Van JSC, with highest growth rate of 60-70% in 2008, could hardly catch up with FPT Software in terms of revenue and size. Its scale is small and medium compared with average global ones FPT Software services include Outsourcing BPO, ERP, QA Testing and Embedded services, but all of them are outsourcing services on a low-level basis. In a global scale, FPT Software is still a www.jaccar.net 71 TELECOMMUNICATIONS small-and-medium business (with a labour force of less than 5,000 people). As a member of the top 10 Asian countries for software outsourcing services, Vietnam remained at the bottom of this list with a competitive edge only on labor cost. Other indicators of Vietnam, such as foreign language skill, government's supports, human resources, infrastructures, educational systems, cultural similarity, globalization ability, are far behind those of its peer countries, such as Thailand, Philippines, Pakistan, and can hardly be compared with India, China and Mexico. It had a good position in Japan market However, FPT Software has become a well-known brand with its position secured in the Japanese market, with a client base of IT giants, such as IBM and other leading corporations in Japan, marking Vietnam on the global outsourcing map. FPT Software Market breakdown 2008 (in %) EU, 10% US, 10% Vietnam, 6% Asia Pacific, 13% Japan, 61% Source: FPT Software FPT software will benefit from FPT university and cooperation with Hitachi Software The Achilles’ heel for Vietnam-based IT companies lies in its limited human resources, education environment and foreign communication skills. FPT soon identified and surmounted this set of weaknesses by the establishment of FPT University, dedicated to IT-oriented training and education. The amazing growing speed of FPT University and supportive collaboration efforts from Hitachi Software will secure a solid background for both FPT and Vietnam software development. With its experience in foreign business operations and reliable partnership with Japan, this business line is a promising venture with remarkable potentiality, contributing 6% of FPT sales and approx. 18% of its pre-tax profit by 2011. We forecast this division to rise around 16.6%, 20% and 22% with stable pre-tax margin of around 28% in 2009, 2010 and 2011 Vietnam software export & software development industry have always been of high growth rate, approx. 35-40% before 2008, and had received full supports from the government with a total profitability targeting VND 1 bn by 2010. In 2008 there were periods when this growth rate seemed to freeze at approx. 20% with more than USD 620 m (VND 1,046 bn) in revenue (while the government expected +35%, reaching USD 670 m or VND 1,126 bn), and the reason for this situation is the global economic recession. FPT software is still the rising star in the market with a growth rate of 49%. However, with the forecast negative growth of the global economy in 2009, its clients in the U.S.A and Japan would suffer, thus FPT Software's growth rate will only be at 16.6%, equivalent to VND 824 bn (USD 45 m), of which its pre-tax profit and net profit will be VND 231 bn (USD 13 m) and VND 208 bn (USD 11.7 m), accounting for 28% and 25% sales margin. With the establishment of its crisis management board, Hitachi Joho-Fsoft development center in operation, long-term partnership with the Hitachi Group, new human resources initiatives, plan of chartered capital increase of 50% approved in its recent AGM, new www.jaccar.net 72 TELECOMMUNICATIONS positive indicators of global economy, FPT Software is forecasted to resume its growth speed of 20% and 22% by 2010 and 2011, with a PBT margin reaching 28% and 28.5%, pre-tax profit obtained by 2011 reaching VND 344 bn (USD 19 m), net attributed profit to the company of VND 195 bn (USD 12 m), accounting for 17% the company net profit. “Big toe” FTG – Best Vietnam distributor Distribution contributes the largest proportion to FPT, its 2007 market share was 60% FPT's distribution business (including FDC, FPT mobile and FPT Retail, all 3 of them have just merged together under the new entity namely FTG this year) enjoys the widest mobile handset and IT product distribution channels in Vietnam, holding 60% of market share with about 956 retail agents in 53/64 provinces and cities. In IT market, FPT is a reliable partner of more than 60 international corporations, namely IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, HP, Toshiba, Oracle, Samsung, Cisco, Dell, Linksys, Nortel, 3Com, Apple, Intel, Symantec, NEC, Seagate, Foxconn, Sandisk, Logitech, etc. FDC was also the major distributor of Nokia with a revenue of USD 310 m and USD 333 m, a growth rate of 77% and 21% in 2007 and 2008 respectively. FDC was the authorized reseller of Vertu, a high-end mobile telephone brand. Regarding mobile devices, FPT Mobile was the distributor of Samsung and Motorola products, and most recently the PDA products from HTC. Distribution net profit margin is lower than other segments, about 3% The revenue derived from the distribution segment had always been the biggest proportion, accounting for approx. ¾ of FPT's revenue. Due to its limited margin, the distribution sector contributed only 30% of the company pre-tax profit. In 2008, its distribution revenue marked a breakthrough volume of VND 11,066 bn (USD 588 m). Failure in retail market and rising competition, FTG market share will shrink FPT had operated as a wholesale distributor until 2007, after that it decided to enter the retail segment with the launch of FPT Retail and its series of [IN] stores. But this initiative seemed a misstep of this division. FPT Retail has not yet recovered from the business loss. In 2008, its distribution business line showed certain signs of falling growth speed, contributed only 68% of the company’s net sales due to: the participation and competition of new emerging distributors of solid capacities like PSD, Viettel and FPT's new focuses on other IT and software-related services. IT product market has witnessed the existence of known and well-established retailers, such as Nguyen Kim, Tran Anh, Phong Vu, The gioi di dong (laptop sales) etc. Carrying the countering crisis plan of cutting ineffective units, FPT Retail had to close [IN] stores and merged with FDC. FPT's market share in IT distribution sector also dropped down from 60% to approx. 40%, due to competitive pressures from other retailers such as Vinh Trinh, Digiworld, Petrosetco Distribution (PSD), and CMC. In the market of Microsoft copyright software to the government sector and large corporations, FPT and CMC are equivalent boxers. In the handset device market, there are more than 20 distributors working for key international manufacturers, among which the largest players are Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and Motorola (in order of market share volume owned). Gfk, a market research firm, reported that Vietnam market growth speed had reached 30% in 2008, with total revenue of more than USD 1 bn. FPT had previously contributed to 70%-90% of local revenues of its premium partners, such as Nokia, Samsung, and Motorola. But new strategies from manufacturers now aim at minimizing business risks posed by dominant influences from such a major distributor. From its leading position with 70% of market share in mobile telephone distribution in the period of 20042006, FPT had to face rising competition from other distributors, such as Viettel, PSD, P&T, Lucky, Thuan Phat, Vien Thong A (VT A), and AB Tel. PSD is a threat Among the competitors of FPT, PSD has emerged as a redoubtable fighter. After taking over a substantial market share of Nokia's product distribution (40% in 2007), within the last 5 months of 2008 since the date they first entered the IT distribution market, PSD has become the official distributor of Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Gateway, etc. in which Dell, HP, and Lenovo are considered the major partners of FDC distribution networks. PSD also has powerful financial support from the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group, along with its experience in the mobile telephone distribution business. PSD distribution networks have expanded rapidly with more than 400 www.jaccar.net 73 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Nokia retail agents, and 150 IT product outlets, with maintenance, delivery, and financial support strategies. Following PSD, the Phu Thai Corporation, which was a leading distributor of consumer products, entered the IT market by becoming Samsung Mobile's mobile telephone official distributor through its agreement just signed on March 5, 2009. Phu Thai has a 15-year experience in distribution markets with 30 affiliated companies, 8 primary and 5 secondary inventory facilities nation-wide. Samsung mobile telephone distribution accounted for 70% of FPT Mobile's revenue, with the participation of Viettel (who launched its national mobile outlet network in 2008), and Phu Thai Corporation, the earnings of FPT in this field will be greatly affected. Manufacturers start to penetrate market directly FPT's IT and handset device distribution sectors dropped to 45%. Another threat posed to FPT is that manufacturers are authorized to set up their distribution networks, and international retailers will rush into Vietnam once it completely opens the retailing market as committed with the WTO. In early March, the leading software distributor of Russian and SNG region, Softline, set up their office in Vietnam. Sony establishes the distribution channels for its own products. The care centers of Nokia and Samsung operating in Vietnam showed a decline in market domination of local distributors. The turnover and profit margin of the distribution sector is forecast to fall sharply under competitive pressure and limited spending of consumers in these gloomy economic scenarios. In dealing with this upcoming recession, FPT has to concentrate on its products of high margins and growth speeds, such as Smartphones and PDAs, even enter consumer products line; meanwhile, it should explore the regional markets with new product offering. Also, other administrative measures, such as cost cuts, inventory management, retailer credit control, market valuation, etc., will need to be reinforced if FPT wants to ensure its expected earnings. FTG will suffer a shocking decline by 9.5% in 2009 due to deteriorating IT consumption, then slowly recover a positive growth of 1.5% and 2.5% in 2010 and 2011 Product distribution sector will significantly suffer from the global economic slowdown and fierce competition. FPT's market share and its rate of return will shrink. After years of an amazing growth speed of more than 10%, it is forecast that FPT will face its first negative growth rate of -9.5% in 2009, yet contributing 62% of the company revenue. In 2010, the speed of revenue growth might be resumed to 1.5%, as the growth speed of Asian IT and mobile telephone markets will be expected to reach 5%. In 2011, there will be a brighter picture for all, with its equitization completed, its capacity enhanced, and its strategies fortified; spreading the business to regional markets and bringing hopes to a growth rate of 2.5% with its new range of products. Its revenue percentage will be as high as 54%. However, due to increasing competitive complexity, threats from international and local competitors, and in return for expected revenue rise, its PBT will fall gradually, remaining at 1.8%, 1.6% and 1.5% per relevant revenue of 2009, 2010, and 2011. The percentage of pre-tax profit contribution will decline by 13%, 10% in 2009 and 2010 to 8% by 2011. Amazing Telecom - Leading in Convergence Early granted ISP license, FPT Telecom has grown up so quick to be the no.2 Founded in 1997, and being the first of FPT's IT affiliated companies granted ICP and ISP licenses one year later, FPT Telecom has become the second largest Internet service provider in Vietnam, following VNPT, with 32% market shares. FPT Telecom has also had a robust revenue growth of 45% - 50%, and became the first provider of ADSL and FTTH services. In 2006, FPT Telecom was fully authorized, with appropriate licenses, to establish and provide fixed telecommunication networks and services nation-wide. The organizational structure of FPT Telecom in 2008 was transformed into a holding corporation model with the establishment of its affiliated companies: FPT Telecom North (FTN), FPT Telecom South (FTS), FPT Internet Data Service (IDS), FPT Advertising Service (ADS), FPT Online Company (FOC), FPT Telecommunication International (FTI). The affiliated companies run intensive businesses, including Internet services, triple play entertainment, data, hosting, online games and international telecommunication services. The new form of FPT Telecom targets at clear separation of market and service segments as well as enhancing the organization performance. www.jaccar.net 74 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Among 30 enterprises licensed to be ISPs, VNPT, Viettel and FPT are the group of dominant corporations in Vietnam Internet market. By late 2007, VNPT held 55% market shares, FPT came in second with 16.5%, and Viettel 15.8%. By January 2009, the total market shares of these 3 providers accounted for 95% market, in which VNPT was 76%, Viettel 10%, and FPT Telecom falling to 3rd rank with 8.4%. ADSL market share by subscriber number ( 01/2009) FPT, 8.39% Viettel, 10.05% EVN, 1.27% SPT, 2.99% Netnam, 1.12% Others, 0.40% VNPT, 75.78% Sources: VNNIC, MIC It is the most dynamic ISP and concentrates on profitable cities FPT Telecom is still considered the most dynamic company in the Internet market. The company focuses on markets of high profitability, such as major cities, and become the first one entering the value-added entertainment service market. The reason that pushed FPT Telecom behind Viettel was that Viettel's infrastructure facilities had been developed and covered all 64 provinces and cities in 2008, while FPT only targeted a few cities like Hanoi, HCMC, Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Binh Duong, Da Nang, Vung Tau, Can Tho. Therefore, if the ADSL market share is accounted on the revenue, FPT still surpasses Viettel, and is more efficiency than others on APRU. The new subscription volume of FPT Telecom reached 150,000; the total number of subscribers was 420,000. www.jaccar.net 75 TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADSL Market share by revenue Viettel, 14% FPT, 33.60% Others, 2.60% VNPT, 49.80% Source: FPT Telecom Sales efficiency by ADSL providers Company ARPU FPT Telecom South FPT Telecom North VNPT Viettel VND 260000 VND 240000 VND 140000 ~ VND 60000 Source :FPT Telecom 2009result will benefit from the state-of-art telecom infrastructure and advanced services In 2009, FPT Telecom has pioneered in launching Triple Play service, offering all 3 Internet, television, and voice services in one line. The company continues to develop its infrastructure facilities, enhance its international Internet bandwidth capacity, NGN/MPLS technological deployment for service quality improvement. FPT will invest VND 200 bn in domestic infrastructure facilities, including: expanding its service coverage to further 10 provinces and cities, extend its investment portfolio FTTH (GEPON-based optical access infrastructures) and VDSL2+ (shifting 25-30% of its clients of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from ADSL2+ to VDSL2+) for better technical supports of Triple Play quality, deploying landline telephone networks, investing into system equipments and technologies, etc. The company has joined the AAG Alliance for the Pacific submarine fiber optic cable project, which will raise FPT Telecom's bandwidth to 50Gbps with a cost 30% lower than the current one by the Mid 2009. As one of five licensed mobile Wimax trials, FPT Telecom has announced mobile Wimax trial success and its preparation plan for the service commercialization. However, the story for Wimax is not written down yet while the 3G race of rich mobile operators is still in the “hottest” columns in telecommunication. 2008 performance was nice and lead by ADSL segment In 2008, FPT Telecom's revenue reached VND 1,299 bn (USD 77 m), an increase of 50% in compared with 2007, with a revenue contribution percentage of 8%, taking the 3rd place after distribution and FPT IS, and its pre-tax profit of VND 356 bn (USD 22 m) with a PBT margin as high as 31%, accounting for 17% FPT PBT margin. Net income was VND 242 bn (USD 14 m), +41%, contributing 29% to FPT net income. The before-tax profit growth rate was 57%, after-tax profit growth rate 50%. The following chart indicates FPT's structure of service business and its revenue percentage. www.jaccar.net 76 TELECOMMUNICATIONS FPT Telecom Revenue Structure by services FPT Telecom Revenue Structure by subdivisions FTI, 10% Leased line, 10% ADSL, 70% Game online, 8% Server and web hosting service, 6% FOC, 8% IDS, 6% ADS, 5% Online Advertisement service, 5% Others, 1% FTN, 28% FTS, 42% Source: FPT Telecom Source: FPT Telecom In terms of affiliated company mapping, FTS will be the leading company with highest sales volume, thanks to the robust southern market FPT Telecom owns less subscriber market shares than VNPT and Viettel due to its service coverage limited to major cities instead of reaching all other provinces and cities. FPT Telecom still continues with its step-by-step expansion strategy, targeting value-added services and areas of high potentiality, along with infrastructure enhancement for its new high margin entertainment services. In 2008, FPT completed its infrastructure investment for VoIP (I-Voiz) services, which will be commercialized in 2009. So FPT Telecom is expected to maintain its high speed of growth in both turnover and profit in the future. FPT Telecom Outlook Vietnam telecommunications industry (including mobile telephone sector) is the most highlighted part of the Vietnam economic map. Overall growth speed in 2009 of this industry is expected to reach 50% by the Government. In online entertainment and Internet sectors, the growth speed is forecast to be approx. 30-35%. FPT Telecom's plan for 2009 is to advance to 10 other provinces and cities, channeling investments into its FTTH and VDSL2+ systems, deployment of land line telephony and technologies. FPT Telecom's client portfolio of 2009 will not be leveraged as in previous years. Jaccar reckons FPT Telecom's growth speed of 2009 will be high about 38.5%, equivalent to VND 1,782 bn (USD 100 m), contributing to 10% of FPT's sales, with a pre-tax profit of 37% as the top high, equivalent to VND 517 bn ( USD 29 m), whereas other member companies cannot obtain such high growth in both turnovers and profits. Internet and related service growth will remain high by 2010, FPT Telecom's next year revenue growth is expected at 28%, with a slight decline in its PBT, remaining at 28% margin. By 2011, its sales growth will return to an average rate of 28.5%, with its pre-tax profit margin of 28.5% thanks to the boom point of FTTH and triple play, owning a leading revenue contribution of 43%. But please note that FPT currently owns a portion (43.5%) of FPT Telecom's equity, so the after-tax profits may rise, but with the minority shareholders' interests excluded, the contribution rates for its holding company would not be so high. Assuming that FPT has no change in the ownership percentage of FPT Telecom, the net income contributed to the parent company is about VND 251 bn (USD 14 m), accounting for 21% FPT net income. FPT Education – new bullet FPT University shows a great potentiality of IT training and education business Founded in 2006 and soon becoming the most popular name in IT university training and education of Vietnam, FPT University established 2 premises in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with more than 1,800 students enrolled and attending, and about 5,000 students studying in Aptech and Arena Media schools. Its annual growth speed of 60% in 2007, and 107% in 2008, and its leading PBT margin of 32% in 2008 has shown the great potentiality of IT training and education business. FPT University also has its training advantages through favorable education www.jaccar.net 77 TELECOMMUNICATIONS program, and still enjoys a low land leasing rate. The IT personnel demand is huge, and with years of partnership and supports from APtech, its reliable training quality and its promising outputs are considered key factors to FPT University's future success and development. Other external factors include the openness and educational socialization of Vietnam education. If those factors are improved positively, FPT training business will expand to non-IT subjects and develop rapidly from the firm base of IT education. Education is believed to keep high growth rate of sales and margin This segment growth is forecast to be higher than others but a lowering trend of 36.6%, 30% and 28% in the next 3 years, with expected pre-tax profit rate of 36.5% by 2009, then a slight decline and maintaining 30% in both 2010 and 2011 due to its investments in technology infrastructure facilities and campus. FPT Media – a nice lady Impressive performance of FPT media in 2008 thanks to the global football event FPT Media was oriented as a professional provider of television broadcast services. FPT Media's strength lies in its experienced board of management with their proactive, dynamic technical team. In 2008, FPT Media's turnover exceeded 40% compared with its commitment of VND 166 bn (USD 9 m). Among major successes of FPT Media were television shows and EURO-related events and TV programs. FPT media has the periodical growth trend Being vulnerable to the global climate, FPT Media's 2009 revenue will not be as remarkable as that of 2008, only remaining at VND 141 bn (USD 8 m), with a PBT margin at 14%. 2009 is also the year that FPT Media starts its TV film series for Singapore's Media Corporation and according the periodic football events, FPT Media's growth speed is expected to reach 20% by 2010 and 21% by 2011 after the global economic recovery, with pre-tax profit margins of 18% and 12%. Maintaining FPT Services Small is beautiful This is a small service business sector in terms of scale yet high margin, standing at an average growth of 92% in 2007 - 2008 period. Thanks to good climate of FPT’s system integration and distribution sales, IT maintenance services lines will get regular jobs and revenue. The annual growth rate of this sector is expected to be steady 20% for the period of 2009 - 2011, and its PBT margin will gradually decline due to increasing competitiveness, being as low as 85% by 2009 and 2010, and 80% by 2011. New areas – real estate, banking and financial services infected with 2008 flu Expansion to financial sector – just faulty timing Like other successful enterprises in Vietnam, FPT had also diversified into “hot” financial services in 2007-2008. It has invested VND 110 bn (USD 6.9 m) for a 25% stake in FPT Securities in October 2007 and VND150bn (USD 9.4 m) for a 15% stake in Tien Phong Bank(with Mobifone and Vinare). In addition, it has also invested VND36.3bn (USD 2.3 m) in FPT fund management company (FPT Capital). FPT established two 100% subsidiaries in real estate namely FPT Land and FPT Hoa Lac hi-tech Park Development. If FPT Hoa Lac HPD had a clear mission, got the initial success with Hoa Lac hi-tech park project and been looking around hi-tech parks in Vietnam, FPT Land has faced a lot of difficulties during the slowdown period of the real estate market. Its current missions are construction and development of FPT existing land for the group purpose of facilities. In the financial sector, there are already a large number of players, 4 state-owned commercial banks hold more than 70% market shares, the rest is shared among over 80 joint stock and foreign banks; there were over 100 securities companies. So it will not be an easy game for new comers, especially in the financial crisis of 2008-2009. www.jaccar.net 78 TELECOMMUNICATIONS The reason to stay is still there FPT Capital made a first achievement of VND 8 bn (USD 476K) pre-tax profit in 2008 and the joint establishment of Vietnam-Japan fund with SBI holdings, Japan managing USD 100 m. for 6 years. Tien Phong Bank also reported VND 20bn (USD 1.2 m) pre-tax profit last year. Sharing sad story in financial services, the most painful division is FPT securities with a loss of VND 59.8 bn (USD 3.6 m). Those affected lines have raised hard questions to FPT board. FPT management has committed no more investment in FPT Securities and a review on FPT land. However, this segment is considered as a financial investment with a small proportion by FPT. We think that FPT will remain in there with careful investment moves. www.jaccar.net 79 TELECOMMUNICATIONS BEING THE TRANSFORMER NOW Towards a more fruitful model Deep macro impacts on and fierce competition in distribution segment, FPT moves its focus on software and services to raise margin Most of FPT's revenue is contributed by its mobile and IT device distribution business. This business line accounted for 68% in 2008, and 75% in 2007. Since 2007 backward, the line growth had been very high, but with the lowest net profit margin and gradual drop, and its pre-tax profit margin at only 4%, just a half of FPT profit margin in general. Last year, the presence and threatening development of emerging competitors, such as Petrosetco Distribution (PSD) and Viettel, with the failure of FPT’s retail network, are serious warnings to the company. With an increasingly crowded playground and competitive landscape, FPT's profit margin began to shrink. In a matter of time, FPT as a distributor will lose its influence and be considered an intermediary of the manufacturers, plus, international retail corporations entering the market on WTO accession, along with other mobile operators (with handset-included service business model being adopted in the U.S. and E.U.), will all want to come on-board. Soon realizing these threats, FPT has outlined a “Software and service” strategy, switching to more profitable businesses, such as software outsourcing, ERP services, BPO, data centre and managed services, Internet and telecommunications, and communication service training. Software and service EBT accounts for 64% of FPT’s EBT in 2008, from 47% in 2007 This strategic focus brought FPT a significant achievement in 2008, with earnings before tax (EBT) of software and services reaching VND 781 bn (USD 46.5 m), accounting for 64% of the company EBT (compared with 48% in 2007). Leaping beyond local boundaries Software took the 1st leap on international playground Globalization has been a dream of FPT's BOM for more than 10 years. Its pioneer for going global is the software outsourcing division. After its first failure in India, FPT has precious experiences leading to its later successes in overseas business. Next successful operation in Japan had brought confidence to FPT in opening new representative offices in other countries. Thanks to these achievements, FPT's expertise and capacity in globalization was greatly enhanced, being ready for upcoming challenges from international playground. We think FPT’s export value will be about USD 150m by 2012 With its strong, skilled human resources by regional ranking and its partnership with giants in technological markets like Microsoft or its strategic relationship with Hitachi Software, FPT will be able to ensure its top position in domestic market, and begin to mark its name on the global IT map. Along with its well-established outsourcing business of FPT Software, FPT IS provides other IT services and solutions, such as managed services, ERP services, BPO services, which might increase the globalization value of FPT. FPT IS's system integration services have reached a world-class level and might be a success in regional scope. FPT's revenue in the international market is forecasted to reach more than USD 150 m by 2012. 'E-citizen’ strategy Aiming at creating and serving e-citizen community FPT Corporation strategy from now until 2015 with an “E-citizen” name can be briefed as follows: FPT strives to be a leading corporation in terms of infrastructure development and e-services provision for an e-citizen community among which information technology and telecommunications continue their essential foundation role in the digital convergence trend to provide the most convenient products and services for e-citizens. This is the most important direction in the development strategy of FPT Corporation. The strategy is based on the perception that Internet has made profound changes to the world and has become an opportunity for Vietnam on the path of integration into the world. Essential needs www.jaccar.net 80 TELECOMMUNICATIONS of the human remain unchanged but the ways these needs are fulfilled will never be the same with the wide spread of internet; e-services will be key tools that support organizations to compete effectively to bring about comfort and convenience in daily life. FPT calls these organizations and consumers e-citizens and aims at creating added-value chains to fully satisfy needs of e-citizens. This strategy shows the FPT's BOM visions of a future IT society of digital convergence, where enterprises will not only be service providers but also a driver of social trends towards their advanced lines of products and services provided. Its’ initial e-networks had about 1 million accounts FPT set up its technical team for Visky Project aiming at an advanced development of services and technologies for Vietnam Internet users. Visky's first products include the social network Vihuni www.vihuni.com, e-commerce channel vimua www.vimua.com, and mobile chat Vitalk with an initial success with 1 million accounts. These are the first eCitizens with potential development into a future information community and loyal clients to FPT's member corporations, such as FPT Telecom, FPT Trading (distribution), FPT Securities, FPT bank, etc. Harvest of web 2.0 models need to wait for 2 years more This is considered as a long-term strategy, because the number of accounts in those communities is fast increasing but its services are mostly free of charge, and the success of web 2.0 business model and mobile contents in Vietnam is still a matter of potentiality, and the time for harvest in web 2.0 model will be realized in at least 2 years time. www.jaccar.net 81 TELECOMMUNICATIONS FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINE Powerful internal force From the penthouse An elite top management team FPT has an elite management team with high commitment to its development. FPT's vision from the early days of its business remains valuable. FPT's BOM focuses on building its corporate cultures with core values that lay the foundation of its human resources development. In each phase of its development, each appropriate strategy has been adopted by FPT: trading activities in Eastern Europe for primitive accumulation of capital, anticipating growing trends in the telecommunication and information technology industries and becoming the leading Vietnam IT corporation; software exporting, service advancing and globalizing towards market cap and competitiveness enhancement, and grasping business opportunities on national and regional scale. …with proper reaction in hard times FPT's management team is an example of management quality in hard times. In the first half of 2008, FPT founded its crisis encountering board to monitor and deal with market movements and outline appropriate policies to timely respond to the situation, and carry out the C20 initiative of about 1,000 staff reduction. In 2009, FPT will continue its restructuring program, with a commitment of 30-80% expense reduction in all divisions for better business performance and to better cope with macro-economic slowdown. Changes in senior management positions, bringing foreign executives to FPT's BOM showed its efforts to separate between corporate governance and business management, improving its transparency in corporate governance. And strong target at fast growing business lines FPT has consistently concentrated on its target of high growth, channeling all of its resources for this ultimate purpose. All business plans approved would be those with high potential profitability. In considering its major business lines, we could see FPT's high growth-oriented strategies of each development phase that reflected the sound vision of its board of management Proper strategies and focus for each forward movement • Software outsourcing and telecommunication services: most powerful engines Established and developed from its earlier stages, FPT are making a fortune out of these services. As witnessed in the last 3 years, Internet and outsourcing services have proved to have amazing growth. In 2006, 2007 and 2008 FPT Telecom has a surprising growth rate of 77%, 47%, 53%, FPT Software has grown at the speed of 83%, 78%, 49%. PBT margin ratios of FPT Telecom and FPT Software have surpassed other divisions of FPT, reaching 28% and 32% in 2008. By 2011, telecommunication and outsourcing services will be the drivers of FPT earnings • ERP, system integration service, Media, Education and Software development: These services have been offered in the last 3 years, and all indicated positive growth. ERP, education, and software development have been successful businesses in their first stages with a growth speed of 70%, thanks to the technological platform and highly qualified workforce from FPT. The media segment in 2008 was surpassed by 40% compared with its initial plan. These services are expected to continue thriving in the future. With a resumption of the optimal macro climate, the education, ERP, software development and media services will bloom. • Long-term opportunities for financial investment: real estate, securities and financial services FPT entered the new market of real estates and finance in late 2007. The weak economy in 2008 had left negative impacts on these venture businesses; but once present difficulties are overcome, banking and financial services will be the core of future economy. The combination of a diversified client base, important co-stakeholders (VMS-Mobifone and Vinare in Tienphong bank, SBI holdings in FPT Capital) and a new line of e-clients to be created based on its well of technology infrastructure facilities gives the potential base for this business growth. www.jaccar.net 82 TELECOMMUNICATIONS In 2008, both Tienphong Bank and FPT Capital made profits, and in the securities and real estate field, FPTS and FPT Land experienced an extremely difficult year due to macro-economic and sector impacts. FPTS had a business loss of VND 60 bn (USD 3.6 m), but FPT's ownership ratio in FPTS was only 25%, so it was not so serious impact, and the company does not have further investment plan for FPTS in 2009. FPT Land is a whole-owned affiliated company of FPT, which was founded at a quiet period of real estate market, with a target of building the operational spaces and workplaces for the company and its affiliated companies. FPT still enjoys certain favorable conditions granted by the government for its land projects, so the existence of FPT Land will be ensured in a near future. …to the basement Highly qualified force is assembled FPT has always considered human resources as a foundation of its success. Besides a management team consisting of several doctors and experts in technologies and management, FPT has also enjoyed a pool of skilled, experiences rising stars in each business sector. FPT has adopted specific management models and incentives to promote its staff's abilities. With a staff of 8,600 holding thousands of international technological certificates granted by well-known manufacturers, FPT has been known as the IT Corporation with the highest IT human pool in Vietnam, with region-class technological expertise. Low cost labor force is also an advantage for FPT in competition on a global scale. In addition, the establishment and initial success of FPT University is an effective IT human resources preparation for FPT's future development. The company has developed the human resource management tool with a ranking system for personnel. The “map rank” has just been renewed from 7 levels to 19 levels for smoother promotion encouragement. The company also focuses on building the company culture and unity with regular sports events and internal magazines. These are expected to reinforce the company’s internal forces. Prepared for the substance Along with recent investment and development of technical expertise, FPT has consistently focused on training and preparing its young staff and management team for the substantial growth of the company. The “Young Leader” program is a strategic move by FPT in its roadmap to building a strong, well-qualified human asset. However, the large scale and fast growth of the company have some risks in internal resource management. There is a hidden conflict between the top management who has the strongest power and benefits control, and the middle-level management team, those directly operates and visibly contributes into the company earnings. The changes in map rank and top position may raise unavoidable controversies among some management levels. FPT has been headhunting the most talents to fuel the organization human resources but it cannot always keep them all forever, always. Furthermore, too strong culture results in overconfidence and false pride of the company staff. The recent bad images in FPT 20 year celebration was a lesson. But it is believed that those negative stories are just short term problems. Empowered by strategic partnerships 3 year Strategic Alliance Agreement with Microsoft The strategic alliance agreement with Microsoft was the most important driver In late November 2006, FPT entered a 3-year strategic alliance agreement with Microsoft. This is a very important leap into a business model of higher profit margins. The agreement consists of the following key points: • Building up a team of high expertise on Microsoft technologies is the core factor of further rising its Group competitiveness on global markets. The highly skillful workforce can be assigned to regional markets. • Mutually co-operating on the shift of the Lotus Notes into Microsoft applications in the Southeast Asia region; collaborating on IT solutions for Vietnam's government www.jaccar.net 83 TELECOMMUNICATIONS • ministerial offices and agencies; working together for optimum development of IT infrastructures across the region using Microsoft-based platforms; co-operating in application software development for mobile technologies and embedded devices; collaborating on the deployment of Microsoft's enterprise solutions in Vietnam and across the region Microsoft will provide supports to FPT University in terms of academic documents, Microsoft certification and training activities in Vietnam The benefits of this deal have been exposed: • With support from Microsoft, FPT team strongly grows up to be well-positioned in regional markets, and FPT's embedded software services will help this Group to successfully penetrate the Japanese market and go international. • FPT has been recommenced and completed a USD 7 m Microsoft-related project for Petronas, Malaysia, and won a series of major Microsoft projects as well as government information infrastructure development projects • FPT University has been transferred a solid background by Microsoft in terms of training plans and activities, ensuring its earning driving success and brand name for FPT education business. Seizing the premium partnership with several top global technology vendors Gaining a firm stand on the giants’ shoulders Cisco, Checkpoint in the world of networking system, Oracle and SAP in ERP solutions are the top names, and FPT is the only company ranked by these 4 giants as their golden partner in Vietnam and Indochina regions. FPT IT expert team holds the highest level certificates of those vendors. Besides that, FPT is the premium partner of more than 20 international technology giants, such as HP, IBM, SUN, ArInfo, Diebold, Nortel, etc. This could explain why FPT is the brightest name for major projects of national ICT infrastructure facilities and enterprise application software. With its 48% market shares, FPT was selected to be the master contractor of a USD 15 m project for the General Department of Taxation, proving its current capacities in IT solutions and information system integration. The corporation's known prestige for technological capacity is a golden guarantee for its tremendous growth. Following the trends of IT development and application in vast major corporations and government agencies in Vietnam, FPT will secure its overwhelming position and high growth rate in the IT and ERP sector. This is also a strong background for FPT to enter regional markets, aiming at international successes in IT and application development. Good connections with the government FPT benefits directly from trust of the government and the leading reputation in financial sector Many of FPT's leaders have had an important influence on ICT development policies of the government. With its continuous growth, FPT has received consistent support from the government, by granting FPT with appropriate licenses for its operations in targeted industries as well as its collaboration projects with state-owned enterprises and government bodies. FPT has the strongest presence in the financial and public sectors with major valuable clients, such as the Ministry of Trade, General Department of Taxation, General Customs Department of Vietnam, Agribank, Vietcombank, etc. FPT was also granted full business licenses in telecommunication, banking, finance, securities and higher education in a surprisingly short time. Being selected to run the Lang – Hoa Lac hightech Park is another indication of FPT's power. With its technology expertise, FPT will keep reaping benefits from IT infrastructure development projects for large corporations and government bodies. www.jaccar.net 84 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Winning the trust of the Japanese markets The achievement in Japan has widely opened the global opportunity for FPT Since the day FPT Software first set foot on Japanese markets and positioned its brand there, it has taken every opportunity available in these markets. FPT Software was awarded the most prestigious certificates in software outsourcing industry, such as CMMi level 5, BS7799, and ISO 9001:2000, ensuring its capacity to meet the demanding requirements of Japanese markets. Japan has always accounted for approx. 60% of FPT's software export market share, and also was the first overseas market targeted for BPO services. FPT has established its partnership with the Hitachi Group, opening Hitachi Joho-FPT Center, the first software centre in Vietnam, with the ambition to be the biggest Vietnam-based software outsourcing partner in Japan. www.jaccar.net 85 TELECOMMUNICATIONS FORECASTS 2008 impression 2008 growth rate of 21%, net margin of 7% 2008 was a critical year to both the global and Vietnamese economy. The last months of 2008 left a down tone to every economy in the world with financial shock waves, the pathetic spiral in world securities markets, the corruption of well-known banking institutions, and forecast recession and reported lay-offs in IT sectors. In dealing with such situations, FPT adopted a number of management measures to enhance its business performance, such as a 20% operational expense cut in certain fields and a reduction of its pool of human resources in vulnerable divisions, which helped maintain its positive growth. FPT made a highlighted mark of its 20-year development history by an annual sales reaching USD 1 bn (approx. VND 16,806bn), net sales after deduction reaching VND 16,382 bn (USD 975 m) , an increase of 21% y/y, an profit before tax (PBT) of VND 1,240 bn (USD 74 m), an increase of 20.5%, and net profit of 1,051 bn VND (USD 62.6 m), an increase of 19.4%, net margin of 7.4%, net profit for shareholders grew 13.4% up VND 836 bn (USD 50 m), EPS increased by 12% at VND 5959 (USD 0.35) 2008 performance (in m VND) Net Sales Gross profit Profit before tax Profit after tax Net attributable profit EPS 2007 2008 Y/Y growth 13,498,891 1,961,448 1,028,985 880,271 737,469 5,317 16,381,840 2,978,436 1,240,085 1,051,047 836,271 5,959 21.4% 51.8% 20.5% 19.4% 13.4% 12.1% Sources: Jaccar, FPT Software and service lines have reached expectations Expense control plan has been implemented Sales came from its major business sectors, including system integration & software solutions, telecom and software exports, which indicated a significant rise of 50%, 49% and 53% respectively. Almost all revenues of the key businesses exceeded its plan (adjusted by second quarter 2008). For software and ICT services business only, their sales income was around VND 2,688 bn (USD 160 m), an increase of 47.7% y/y. The earnings reached VND 781 bn (USD 46.5 m), an increase of 58%, with a rate of return of 29.4%. The percentage of profit contribution of software development and services accounted for 64% in 2008, compared with 47.8% in 2007. This indicated FPT's serious attentions in core businesses, and a continued strategy in globalizing and promoting IT services and software development for a higher profit margin. With FPT's C20 plan of personnel lay-offs, one of the most remarkable IT events of Vietnam in 2008, the company has affirmed its preparation in dealing with the economic slowdown. FPT ended its fiscal year with better business results considering the macroeconomic headwind. With a proper reaction and hard cost savings in dealing with the business slump, FPT is believed to stay on with its positive growth in the future. IPO and equitization plan of FPT's affiliates: exceptional assumption FPT approved the equitization plans of FPT IS and FTG at its shareholder meeting held on March 29, 2009. In the same year, FPT Telecom has set its target to be listed on HASTC in the 3Q09. A subdivision of FPT Distribution, the FPT Elead, would have completed its IPO in early March, if it has not been postponed due to further additional procedures required by the State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC). www.jaccar.net 86 TELECOMMUNICATIONS FPT IS and FTG are planned to be sold about 10% to public According to these plans, FPT IS and FTG once equitized will not sell over 10% of their charter capital. In the case of FPT Telecom, FPT has not changed its current ownership ratio in this affiliated company (43.5%). Thus FPT will continue to own, influence, and consolidate these companies for at least one more year. In addition, there are no reliable sources of information about the stock price of these companies in the market. As a result, forecast data from Jaccar will be based on the assumption of continued consolidation of these mentioned companies, and the equitization procedures will not basically impact the FPT's financial status until 2011. The statistical forecasts will be updated upon the actual IPO and equitization procedures, or specific information on share value being published, or changes influencing the parent company's finance. Income Statement Sales: brightening future Sales Forecast by business lines (in bn VND) 2009 System Integration Software Telecom Training Distribution Media Maintenance Services Others Total Revenue 3,241 824 1,782 184 10,217 142 35 64 Y/Y Growth 19.4% 16.6% 38.5% 36.6% -9.5% -15.0% 28.0% 15.0% 16,489 0.7% Rev. Cont. Revenue 19.7% 3,727 5.0% 989 10.8% 2,281 1.1% 239 62.0% 10,371 0.9% 170 0.2% 42 0.4% 69 17,887 2010 Y/Y Growth 15.0% 20.0% 28.0% 30.0% 1.5% 20.0% 20.0% 7.0% 8.5% 2011 Rev. Cont. Revenue 20.8% 4,416 5.5% 1,206 12.8% 2,931 1.3% 306 58.0% 10,630 0.9% 195 0.2% 51 0.4% 75 19,810 Y/Y Growth 18.5% 22.0% 28.5% 28.0% 2.5% 15.0% 20.0% 8.5% Rev. Cont. 22.3% 6.1% 14.8% 1.5% 53.7% 1.0% 0.3% 0.4% 10.8% Source: Jaccar Downturn in distribution will strain FPT sales although system integration and telecom remains high increases A macro-economic headwind will impact the 2009 company revenue more seriously than 2008. The growing speed of all business divisions could hardly be high, except for telecom and education areas (remaining higher than 30%). The distribution line suffers from the hardest hit with the price decline, lowered market share due to constrained spending in handset and IT products in this gloomy economy. Although FPT IS, FPT Telecom and the Education division are forecast to reach a growth rate of 19.4%, 38.5%, 36.6%, a decline of -9.5% of the distribution business unit contributing nearly 70% of total net sales, leading to an overall growth rate as low as 0.7% compared with the remarkable rate over 20% of the last year. Revenue from the media division has fallen dramatically from its peak of 2008, standing now at -15%. In fact, this service line developed so well in 2008 with an unexpected rise of 40% compared with the planned figure, thanks to EURO football-related events and service. 2009 is a year of no special sports events, and FPT Media will turn its focus into television channels with a series of TV movies. We forecast 0.7% growth rate in 2009, 8.5% and 10.8% by 2010 and 2011 with assumption of improved macro context FPT's revenue in 2010 and 2011 will resume at 8.5% and approx. 10.8% thanks to distribution business coming back with positive growth, and IT divisions will maintain its competitive edges with a growth rate of 20% or more once the economy recovers. Meanwhile, the globalization capacity of the company will be fully utilized for WTO's opportunities. A combination of FDI capital flows, the robust domestic enterprise and banking sectors, and increasingly IT spending from the government and public sectors will bring plenty of benefits to a leading company like FPT. www.jaccar.net 87 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Profitability: steady increase thanks to expense controls Cost and Profit Forecasts (in m VND) 2007 Net Sales COGS (%) Other external costs (%) EBITDA % sales EBIT % sales Pre-tax profit % sales Corporate tax (%) Net attributable profit % sales 13,498,891 80% 7% 1,147,440 8.5% 1,048,350 7.8% 1,024,942 7.6% 14.5% 737,469 5.5% 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e 16,381,839.8 79% 5% 1,728,091 10.5% 1,577,809 9.6% 1,280,044 7.8% 14.8% 836,271 5.1% 16,488,904.2 79% 4% 1,891,408 11.5% 1,693,541 10.3% 1,414,783 8.6% 22.7% 861,723 5.2% 17,887,028.5 78% 5% 1,896,025 10.6% 1,672,437 9.4% 1,613,975 9.0% 23.2% 974,862 5.5% 19,810,048.5 76% 6% 2,258,346 11.4% 2,000,815 10.1% 1,955,137 9.9% 23.3% 1,189,096 6.0% Source: Jaccar 79% COGS-to-sales in 2009 External costs tend to increase in long term Ongoing personnel cuts till 2009 • Decreasing COGS vs. rising external cost With its new strategies in leveraging software and service business, reducing hardware and distribution lines, along with initiatives for more cost-effective and enhanced productivity to react to the crisis, COGS will gradually decline from year to year, the percentage of COGS over revenue will fall gradually, from 79.1% in 2008 to 79% in 2009, and 78% in 2010. This ratio, in 2011, is forecast to drop to 76%, when telecommunication services, software export and service business lines will gain a high growth rate with better globalization capacity and higher contribution percentage in the group’s revenue and profit. Contrary to COGS decreasing trend, the percentage of other external costs such as management and selling expenses will rise. However, with cost cutting determination of 30%-80% in all divisions to cope with the crisis, the percentage of other external cost per sales will stand around 4% in 2009, then increase up to 5.2% and 5.6% in 2010 and 2011. • Personnel cost tends to rise – one step back to go faster In 2008, FPT launched the C20 initiative, with an aim of 20% staff reduction, for more effective organization, ensure its adopted strategies and development to get through the economic difficulties. This initiative will continue to be implemented in 2009 due to forecast business slowdown to year end. The total number of its staffs decreased to 8,300 and the total human resources cost of VND 919 bn (USD 51 m), +7%, since the staffs remained after the C20 program will be paid better salaries. However the cost-to-revenue ratio is lower, at 3.3% (compared with 5.3% of 2008). By 2010, the economy will begin to recover and the company will raise its human pool to more than 9,000 employees in order to meet personnel demands for globalization and to realize the planned earnings. Total personnel expenses will increase more than 20% compared with 2009, and the average salary will rise, with a cost-to-revenue ratio reaching 6.2%. Year 2011 will see a record breaking in human resources increase as well as personnel expenses as FPT carries out its resources reinforcement for long-term development of software service exports. At that point of time, the size of its human resources will reach 10,800 people. • No more favorable corporate tax Taxation Regarding the enterprise tax rates for the State budget, FPT had enjoyed 3 tax privileges: (i) IT sector tax defined by the Government, (ii) favourable tax for software outsourcing company, and (iii) favourable tax for enterprises of state-owned capital that recently listed. In 2009, FPT will no longer be eligible for the 50%-reduced favourable income tax for recently listed. Only small-andmedium businesses such as FPT Promo, FPT Online, etc. are entitled to favourable demand stimulus tax by the Government. From 2009 onwards, favorable taxes will be only applied to software “creating” business with 50% reduced in division income. Therefore, the group income www.jaccar.net 88 TELECOMMUNICATIONS tax rate will rise from 15.2% in 2008 up to 22.7%, 23.2% and 23.3% in 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. Pre-tax profit by divisions (in m VND) 2009 System Integration Software Telecom Training Distribution Media Maintenance Services Others Total Pre-tax profit 372,673 230,709 516,785 67,074 178,802 19,814 26,518 2,408 1,414,783 % Contribution 26.3% 16.3% 36.5% 4.7% 12.6% 1.4% 1.9% 0.2% 2010 Pre-tax profit 391,306 276,850 638,675 71,668 165,928 30,570 36,065 2,911 1,613,975 % Contribution 24.2% 17.2% 39.6% 4.4% 10.3% 1.9% 2.2% 0.2% 2011 Pre-tax profit 441,617 343,789 835,353 90,207 159,447 23,437 43,278 18,009 1,955,137 % Contribution 22.6% 17.6% 42.7% 4.6% 8.2% 1.2% 2.2% 0.9% Source Jaccar Still FX impact in 2009 • Conclusion for profitability Thanks to high commitment for expense control, REBIT margin (recurrent operating margin) will reach 10.4%, 9.4% and 10.1% in 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. 2008's foreign exchange rate fluctuation has left deep impacts on FPT, since FPT heavily depended on its imported input for system business and distribution. FPT's financial cost had reached approx. VND 495 bn (USD 29.5 m), of which about VND 400 bn (USD 23.8 m) loss due to exchange rate changes. In fact, the Group suffered only a VND 80 bn (USD 4.8 m) real loss due to exchange rate, the remaining has been accounted into the gross profit thanks to the adjustment of new exchange rate being incorporated into the sales of IT equipment and devices. In 2009, due to a ban in implementation of currency option trading and unpredictable movements of the international financial market, FPT can hardly afford an effective loss control for unstable exchange rates, hence its financial costs are forecast to remain high. FPT's 2008 profit-before-tax margin was 7.6%, growing 21%. With the upcoming grey economic picture in 2009 and expected recovery in 2010 onwards, all FPT business lines’s profit margins will tend to fall in the coming years. According to the detailed outlook of each business line above, FPT's net profit margin of 2009 is estimated at 8.6% of its revenue, reaching 9% by 2010, and 9.9% by 2011. The profit growth rate is expected to rise in 2009, reaching 14% by 2010, and 21% by 2011. Net margin will steadily increase by more than 5% over coming 3 years As mentioned above, the corporate tax rate keeps increasing. Assuming a stability of minorities interest, FPT net margin will slightly rise about 5% y/y, reaching 5.3%, 5.5% and 5.8% over sales in 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. Balance Sheet Fixed assets: slight increase FPT fixed assets increase annually, reaching 40% growth rate over 2007-2009, with the completion of its new office buildings in Lang Ha & Cau Giay, and its new telecommunication infrastructure facilities. In the coming years, the fixed assets have an average increase of 20% or higher. The FPT's ratio of fixed assets over total assets has gradually increased to 24% in 2009, 28% in 2010 and 33% in 2011. With this relatively balanced and appropriate ratio, FPT will have a stable technological platform and workplace, ensuring the overall development for all of its divisions and units. Reasonable current assets Along with appropriate ratio of fixed assets, FPT's current assets will also be well managed, and the ratio among cash, inventories and trade debtor will be relatively balanced. Forecasts for 2009 - 2011 period implied a successful financial management, and a stable liquidity with current ratio www.jaccar.net 89 TELECOMMUNICATIONS around 1.4, quick ratio around 1.0. The debit balance will not have much change, with average debt period well controlled at the same duration as 2008, 41 days, in following years. Financial structure Current liabilities and shareholder’s equity will slightly fluctuate between 60/40, and the equity remains at high level indicating the healthy financial status of FPT. With its plan of 2/3 of shareholder earnings reserved, the 2009's shareholder equity is expected to gradually increase, reaching 48% of its total resources as that of 2008, and by 41% in 2010 and 43% in 2011. Cash flows Stable Capital Expenditures In the period of 2009-2011, FPT is forecast to have a net capital expenditure gradually increased based on its investments in fixed assets. Change in debt will fluctuate with positive value, since FPT has had a good credit history, and can make use of short-term loans for investments in its business operations and business. Pay-out ratio stabilized In 2008, FPT offered a cash dividend of 26% (approx. VND 244 bn), and retained VND 518 bn for re-investment. With the stable financial status and increasing earnings, ensuring the substantial growth of the group, Jaccar forecasts that, in 2009, the payout will be 25%, 27%, and 28% for the period of 2009-2011. While these pay-out ratios are not very high compared with its market prices, they are quite appropriate in terms of maintaining FPT's level of earnings used for re-investment in further advancing the group technology platform and value. www.jaccar.net 90 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Company Profile Risks Established in 1988, FPT Corporation has magic development steps to become the no.1 ICT company in Vietnam, one of top 10 market cap companies in Vietnam Stock market, the 1st rank in the top VNR 500 list of biggest private companies in Vietnam. FPT has participated in biggest ICT infrastructure projects, branch offices in the US, Japan, Malaysia, EU, Australia. Over 20 years, its human resource increases 22 times, sales increases 25 times and profits 137 times. Now FPT is a conglomerate involving a wide range of business lines, including IT & Telecommunication, Media, Education, Real estates, Banking and Finance. Average growth rate over recent 10 years was above 30%. FPT brandname has been recognised in the region and the world. The company website is visited at www.fpt.com.vn Internal Key Figures What’s Up Geographical breakdown (sales) External • Slowdown of economy and collapse in financial segment significantly reduce sales and profit; • More and more fierce competition in IT and mobile distribution; • Cutdown in world ICT spending, many software contracts stop. Company Division breakdown (sales) 2.8% 0.5% 0.5% 0.9% • Bureaucratic problems, potential internal conflicts between medium and top management due to big-size and fast growth; • Diversification in non-ICT business lines like real estate, banking, securities in the slowdown period; • Corporate governance risk when BoD and BoM have not clear independence. • FPT Telecom will benefit from completion of AAG project by the mid 2009; • FPT Telecom plans to list in HASTC in 3Q09; • FPT IS and FTG plan to sell 10% shares to public in 2009. 1.5% E Q U I T Y Sector 19.7% • Vietnam ICT and network exhibition 2009 will be held in Hanoi from April 16-19th; • The government announces VND 980 bn program to spur the digital content and software industry; • Vietnam firstly hosts the World Information Technology Forum 2009 (WITFOR 2009) and international ICT exhibition in Hanoi, August 26-28th; • Vietnam IT week 2009 and ICT Award event in September –October 2009. 5.0% 10.8% 62.0% 95.3% 1.1% T I P S System Integration (FPT IS) Software Export (FPT Software) Telecommunication (FPT Telecom) Training (FPT University) Distribution (FPT Trading Group) Media, IT Services and others Vietnam Japan North America Europe Asia Pacific Efficiency profile VND bn Peers Comparison Profitability profile In % VND bn In % 2,200,000 13.5 7,000,000 40 2,000,000 12.5 6,500,000 38 1,800,000 11.5 6,000,000 36 1,600,000 10.5 5,500,000 34 1,400,000 9.5 5,000,000 32 1,200,000 8.5 4,500,000 30 1,000,000 7.5 4,000,000 28 800,000 6.5 3,500,000 26 600,000 5.5 3,000,000 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e EBIT Op. margin 24 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Assets ROCE www.jaccar.net 91 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Income Statement (VND bn) 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Sales % of growth Price (%) Volume (%) Organic growth (%) External growth (%) Other income Total Sales 8,735 -0% 185% 111% 0% 0 8,735 14,101 61% -1% 125% 61% 0% 0 14,101 11,398 -19% -1% -11% -19% 0% 0 11,398 13,499 18% -1% 24% 18% 0% 0 13,499 16,382 21% -1% 20% 21% 0% 0 16,382 16,489 1% -4% 1% 1% 0% 0 16,489 17,887 8% -3% 14% 8% 0% 0 17,887 19,810 11% -3% 16% 11% 0% 0 19,810 Change in inventories COGS Gross Income % of growth 8,330 405 n/m 13,451 650 61% 0 9,693 1,705 163% 0 10,809 2,690 58% 0 12,965 3,417 27% 0 13,026 3,463 1% 0 13,952 3,935 14% 0 15,056 4,754 21% Other external costs Taxes Personnel costs EBITDA % of growth 9 151 245 n/m 4 218 427 74% 606 0 351 748 75% 943 0 599 1,147 53% 815 0 874 1,728 51% 652 0 919 1,891 9% 930 0 1,109 1,896 0% 1,109 0 1,387 2,258 19% Depreciation Reported provisions Other incomes and charges EBIT % of growth 29 1 215 n/m 59 9 359 67% 107 0 31 672 87% 171 0 72 1,048 56% 240 0 89 1,578 51% 247 0 49 1,694 7% 277 0 54 1,672 -1% 317 0 59 2,001 20% Interest income Interest expenses Interest balance Pretax Income % of growth 4 28 (24) 191 n/m 7 40 (33) 326 71% 11 74 (63) 609 87% 49 72 (23) 1,025 68% 197 495 (298) 1,280 25% 91 371 (280) 1,414 10% 131 190 (60) 1,613 14% 165 206 (42) 1,959 21% Income taxes Tax rate Minority interest Associate income Net income before extraordinary items % of growth 18 9% 0 173 n/m 43 13% 21 262 52% 74 12% 85 0 450 72% 149 15% 143 4 737 64% 189 15% 215 (40) 836 13% 320 23% 219 (13) 861 3% 374 23% 258 (7) 974 13% 456 23% 313 3 1,193 23% Extraordinary items Net Income % of growth 173 n/m 262 52% 0 450 72% 0 737 64% 0 836 13% 0 861 3% 0 974 13% 0 1,193 23% Division breakdown / Sales (% of growth) System Integration (FPT IS) Software Export (FPT Software) Telecommunication (FPT Telecom) - 52% 143% 98% -20% -12% 11% -6% 78% 47% 50% 48% 53% 19% 17% 39% 15% 20% 28% 19% 22% 29% Geographical breakdown / Sales (% of growth) Vietnam Japan North America - 61% 265% - -19% -6% - 18% 123% - 17% 345% high 0% 9% 17% 8% 28% 32% 10% 25% 16% 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Net Income Depreciation and amortization Capital gains/losses on asset disposals Others Cash Flow Statement (VND bn) 173 29 20 262 59 28 450 107 0 57 737 171 0 47 836 240 0 126 861 247 0 126 974 277 0 126 1,193 317 0 126 Cash Flow from Operations - Gross Net change in operating assets & liabs Cash Flow from Operations - Net Gross CAPEX Net CAPEX Money spent on acquisitions Cash received from divestment Net financial investment Dividends paid Dividends received Others FCF 222 140 82 53 53 2 0 2 0 2 33 (3) 349 541 (192) 142 143 0 4 (4) 2 0 89 (421) 773 391 382 247 246 12 0 12 35 0 246 (156) 1,243 304 939 487 480 312 0 312 280 0 207 (341) 1,645 (189) 1,834 708 669 28 0 28 389 12 423 336 1,235 (210) 1,445 673 673 0 0 31 370 11 191 191 1,378 152 1,226 731 731 34 0 34 407 12 81 (16) 1,632 239 1,393 809 809 38 0 38 431 13 104 24 0 (3) 137 (284) 591 434 37 (304) 115 450 0 191 0 (16) 0 24 276 0 273 245 0 (39) (180) 0 254 526 0 222 (64) 0 387 95 0 286 143 0 127 185 0 210 Increase in shareholder equity Excess Cash Flow Change in long term debt Foreign exchange rate effect Net Increase (Decrease) Cash & Equivs www.jaccar.net 92 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Balance Sheet (VND bn) 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e 150 76 75 n/m 266 116 157 111% 481 205 314 99% 954 356 607 94% 1,208 514 916 51% 1,881 738 1,495 63% 2,612 981 1,947 30% 3,621 1,261 2,565 32% Gross intangible fixed assets Accumulated depreciation intangibles Intangible Fixed Assets of which goodwill 0 0 0 - 10 2 8 - 26 10 16 0 55 21 35 0 83 39 45 0 83 39 45 0 83 39 45 0 83 39 45 0 Long Term Investments % of growth 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 14 0 - 8 33 0 - 37 35 0 - 9 372 0 - 222 506 0 - 351 537 0 - 316 571 0 - 206 609 0 - Fixed Assets % of growth 89 n/m 199 125% 365 83% 1,013 178% 1,467 45% 2,076 42% 2,562 23% 3,218 26% Inventories Trade debtors Prepayments Provisions Other debtors 356 715 0 0 52 384 1,147 0 0 75 555 1,672 0 0 149 1,428 1,727 0 0 292 1,224 1,887 0 0 305 1,725 1,899 0 0 307 1,871 2,060 0 0 333 2,072 2,282 0 0 368 Cash Bank Marketable securities 373 - 415 - 669 - 896 - 1,243 - 1,518 - 1,633 - 1,830 - - - - - - - 20 - 1,495 n/m 2,021 35% 3,045 51% 4,343 43% 4,658 7% 5,448 17% 5,917 9% 6,552 11% 297 0 569 91% 40 1,537 170% 123 1,939 26% 283 2,373 22% 526 2,834 19% 742 3,360 19% 804 4,101 22% 891 0 13 0 2 15 0 75 0 3 78 20 26 0 3 49 66 37 0 3 106 19 57 0 3 79 15 58 0 4 29 106 15 86 0 4 43 148 15 97 0 4 49 165 Debt - long term Debt - short term Debts % of growth 174 553 726 n/m 125 836 961 32% 7 778 785 -18% 67 1,249 1,316 68% 4 1,237 1,241 -6% 3 1,332 1,335 8% 3 1,474 1,477 11% 3 1,660 1,663 13% Accounts payable Other current liabilities 371 174 407 152 848 67 1,547 87 1,627 156 2,288 220 2,451 238 2,645 264 Accruals and deferrals 0 13 0 78 123 0 0 42 Gross tangible fixed assets Accumulated depreciation tangibles Tangible Fixed Assets % of growth Construction work in progress Long term deposit Long term prepaid expenses Long term assets Total Financial Fixed Assets % of growth Accruals and deferrals Current Assets % of growth Shareholders Equity % of growth Minority interest Discretionary provisions Bonus and welfare funds Training funds Fund for board of management Other funds Provisions - total 1,584 2,219 3,409 5,356 6,125 7,525 8,479 9,771 Treasury shares Working capital % of growth Tangible Fixed Assets Total Liabilities 0 577 n/m 75 0 1,047 81% 157 0 1,460 39% 314 0 1,814 24% 607 0 1,633 -10% 916 0 1,423 -13% 1,495 0 1,575 11% 1,947 0 1,814 15% 2,565 Average Capital Employed 666 1,246 1,825 2,827 3,099 3,499 4,137 5,032 Off-Balance Sheet Off-balance lease liabilities Off-balance rental liabilities Others Off-balance liabilities 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e EV/Sales EV/EBITDA EV/EBIT PE PEG Valuation (x) - - 0.8 12.0 13.4 20.0 - 0.9 10.8 11.8 16.6 -17% 0.3 3.2 3.5 7.2 -57% 0.4 3.4 3.7 8.4 18% 0.4 3.5 4.0 7.8 -7% 0.3 3.0 3.4 6.5 -17% P/Book Dividend yield (%) - - 5.9 0% 6.3 2% 2.5 6% 2.6 5% 2.3 5% 1.9 6% www.jaccar.net 93 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Per Share Data (k VND) 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e 3 3 5 5 61 61 61 92 92 141 141 148 148 151 151 154 66 66 66 66 48 48 48 48 7 7 7 7 12 12 8 8 9 9 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 6 6 8 8 8 8 - - 204.4 291.7 86.4 148.0 148.7 295.6 144.7 201.5 50.0 146.0 32.1 64.9 51.5 59.5 37.7 51.5 51.5 51.5 51.5 51.5 113 0 104 1 25 5 32 4 26 3 20 3 23 3 27 Cash Flow from Oper Per Share - Gross Cash Flow from Oper Per Share - Net 84 31 64 (35) 13 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Free Cash Flow Per Share (1) (77) (3) (0) 0 0 (0) 0 Profitability Ratios (%) Shares outstanding (millions) Number of share fully diluted (millions) EPS - Basic - Before extras EPS - Basic - After extras EPS - Diluted - Before extras EPS - Diluted - After extras Latest price High price Low price Average price Dividend per share Book value per share 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Gross Margin 5% 5% 15% 20% 21% 21% 22% 24% EBITDA Margin Operating Margin 3% 2% 3% 3% 7% 6% 9% 8% 11% 10% 11% 10% 11% 9% 11% 10% Net Margin 2% 2% 4% 5% 5% 5% 5% 6% Division breakdown / Margins EBITDA Margin System Integration (FPT IS) Software Export (FPT Software) Telecommunication (FPT Telecom) - - - 11% 44% 36% 16% 36% 27% 15% 31% 28% 12% 28% 26% 11% 30% 28% Operating Margin System Integration (FPT IS) Software Export (FPT Software) Telecommunication (FPT Telecom) - - - 10% 37% 27% 15% 36% 29% 14% 31% 30% 11% 29% 28% 10% 29% 29% Net Margin System Integration (FPT IS) Software Export (FPT Software) Telecommunication (FPT Telecom) - - - - - - - - Geographical breakdown / Margins EBITDA Margin Vietnam Japan North America - - - - - - - - Operating Margin Vietnam Japan North America - - - - - - - - Net Margin Vietnam Japan North America - - - - - - - - 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e ROE ROCE Solvability & Efficiency Ratios (%) 58% 30% 50% 24% 35% 28% 45% 27% 44% 38% 38% 33% 37% 25% 37% 24% Gearing Equity / Total Assets 19% 26% 45% 36% 39% 38% 40% 42% Pay-out Ratio Interest cover n/m 8.7 1% 10.6 13% 10.1 62% 15.9 53% 3.5 44% 5.1 47% 10.0 44% 10.9 Inventories (nb of days) Trade debtors (nb of days) Accounts payable (nb of days) Working capital (nb of days) 14.7 29.4 15.3 28.8 9.8 29.3 10.4 28.7 17.5 52.8 26.8 43.6 38.1 46.0 41.2 42.9 26.9 41.5 35.8 32.6 37.7 41.5 50.0 29.2 37.7 41.5 49.3 29.8 37.7 41.5 48.1 31.1 Number of employees (FTE's) Sales / Employee EBIT / Employee Salary / Employee Bonus / Personnel costs 3,177 2,749.4 67.6 47.5 0.1 4,878 2,890.7 73.6 44.7 0.3 7,008 1,626.4 95.9 50.1 0.1 9,433 1,431.0 111.1 63.5 0.1 8,634 1,897.4 182.7 101.2 0.1 8,318 1,982.3 203.6 110.5 0.1 9,050 1,976.5 184.8 122.5 0.1 10,800 1,834.3 185.3 128.4 0.1 www.jaccar.net 94 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Sales % of growth Price (%) Volume (%) Organic growth (%) External growth (%) Other income Total Sales Income Statement (USD m) 524.09 -0% 185% 111% 0% 0.00 524.09 846.05 61% -1% 125% 61% 0% 0.00 846.05 683.88 -19% -1% -11% -19% 0% 0.00 683.88 809.93 18% -1% 24% 18% 0% 0.00 809.93 982.91 21% -1% 20% 21% 0% 0.00 982.91 989.33 1% -4% 1% 1% 0% 0.00 989.33 1,073.22 8% -3% 14% 8% 0% 0.00 1,073.22 1,188.60 11% -3% 16% 11% 0% 0.00 1,188.60 Change in inventories COGS Gross Income % of growth 499.81 24.28 n/m 807.07 38.97 61% 0.00 581.55 102.33 163% 0.00 648.54 161.39 58% 0.00 777.89 205.02 27% 0.00 781.57 207.76 1% 0.00 837.11 236.11 14% 0.00 903.34 285.26 21% Other external costs Taxes Personnel costs EBITDA % of growth 0.51 9.06 14.71 n/m 0.26 13.10 25.61 74% 36.36 0.00 21.09 44.88 75% 56.59 0.00 35.96 68.85 53% 48.89 0.00 52.45 103.69 51% 39.11 0.00 55.17 113.48 9% 55.81 0.00 66.54 113.76 0% 66.56 0.00 83.20 135.50 19% Depreciation Reported provisions Other incomes and charges EBIT % of growth 1.77 0.06 12.88 n/m 3.53 0.54 21.54 67% 6.41 0.00 1.86 40.34 87% 10.26 0.00 4.31 62.90 56% 14.37 0.00 5.36 94.67 51% 14.84 0.00 2.97 101.61 7% 16.63 0.00 3.22 100.35 -1% 19.02 0.00 3.57 120.05 20% Interest income Interest expenses Interest balance Pretax Income % of growth 0.26 1.70 (1.44) 11.44 n/m 0.43 2.42 (1.99) 19.55 71% 0.68 4.46 (3.78) 36.56 87% 2.94 4.34 (1.40) 61.50 68% 11.85 29.71 (17.87) 76.80 25% 5.46 22.24 (16.78) 84.83 10% 7.84 11.41 (3.57) 96.78 14% 9.88 12.38 (2.50) 117.55 21% Income taxes Tax rate Minority interest Associate income Net income before extraordinary items % of growth 1.08 9% 0.00 10.37 n/m 2.55 13% 1.25 15.75 52% 4.42 12% 5.11 0.00 27.03 72% 8.92 15% 8.57 0.24 44.25 64% 11.34 15% 12.89 (2.40) 50.18 13% 19.23 23% 13.16 (0.80) 51.65 3% 22.45 23% 15.49 (0.40) 58.43 13% 27.34 23% 18.77 0.15 71.58 23% Extraordinary items Net Income % of growth 10.37 n/m 15.75 52% 0.00 27.03 72% 0.00 44.25 64% 0.00 50.18 13% 0.00 51.65 3% 0.00 58.43 13% 0.00 71.58 23% Division breakdown / Sales (% of growth) System Integration (FPT IS) Software Export (FPT Software) Telecommunication (FPT Telecom) - 52% 143% 98% -20% -12% 11% -6% 78% 47% 50% 48% 53% 19% 17% 39% 15% 20% 28% 19% 22% 29% Geographical breakdown / Sales (% of growth) Vietnam Japan North America - 61% 265% - -19% -6% - 18% 123% - 17% 345% high 0% 9% 17% 8% 28% 32% 10% 25% 16% Cash Flow Statement (USD m) 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Net Income Depreciation and amortization Capital gains/losses on asset disposals Others 10.37 1.77 1.19 15.75 3.53 1.68 27.03 6.41 0.00 3.40 44.25 10.26 0.00 2.80 50.18 14.37 0.00 7.54 51.65 14.84 0.00 7.54 58.43 16.63 0.00 7.54 71.58 19.02 0.00 7.54 Cash Flow from Operations - Gross Net change in operating assets & liabs Cash Flow from Operations - Net Gross CAPEX Net CAPEX Money spent on acquisitions Cash received from divestment Net financial investment Dividends paid Dividends received Others FCF 13.32 8.40 4.92 3.15 3.15 0.09 0.00 0.09 0.00 0.15 2.00 (0.17) 20.96 32.46 (11.50) 8.53 8.57 0.00 0.25 (0.25) 0.13 0.00 5.32 (25.27) 46.36 23.46 22.90 14.80 14.76 0.72 0.00 0.72 2.07 0.01 14.74 (9.38) 74.55 18.23 56.32 29.22 28.82 18.74 0.00 18.74 16.83 0.00 12.39 (20.46) 98.72 (11.31) 110.03 42.48 40.14 1.69 0.00 1.69 23.36 0.71 25.40 20.15 74.09 (12.62) 86.70 40.41 40.41 0.00 0.00 1.86 22.20 0.63 11.43 11.43 82.67 9.12 73.55 43.83 43.83 2.05 0.00 2.05 24.43 0.70 4.88 (0.94) 97.91 14.33 83.57 48.54 48.54 2.25 0.00 2.25 25.84 0.77 6.23 1.47 Increase in shareholder equity Excess Cash Flow 0.00 (0.17) 8.20 (17.07) 35.44 26.06 2.24 (18.23) 6.88 27.03 0.00 11.43 0.00 (0.94) 0.00 1.47 Change in long term debt Foreign exchange rate effect Net Increase (Decrease) Cash & Equivs 16.54 0.00 16.36 14.73 0.00 (2.34) (10.79) 0.00 15.26 31.55 0.00 13.32 (3.81) 0.00 23.22 5.70 0.00 17.13 8.55 0.00 7.61 11.12 0.00 12.58 www.jaccar.net 95 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Gross tangible fixed assets Accumulated depreciation tangibles Tangible Fixed Assets % of growth Balance Sheet (USD m) 9.03 4.55 4.48 n/m 15.94 6.99 9.44 111% 28.89 12.28 18.81 99% 57.25 21.36 36.42 94% 72.47 30.81 54.96 51% 112.87 44.28 89.68 63% 156.70 58.89 116.79 30% 217.25 75.67 153.91 32% Gross intangible fixed assets Accumulated depreciation intangibles Intangible Fixed Assets of which goodwill 0.00 0.00 0.00 - 0.62 0.11 0.51 - 1.54 0.58 0.96 0.00 3.31 1.24 2.07 0.00 4.99 2.31 2.67 0.00 4.99 2.31 2.67 0.00 4.99 2.31 2.67 0.00 4.99 2.31 2.67 0.00 Long Term Investments % of growth 0.00 - 0.00 - 0.00 - 0.00 - 0.00 - 0.00 - 0.00 - 0.00 - Construction work in progress Long term deposit Long term prepaid expenses Long term assets Total Financial Fixed Assets % of growth 0.00 0.83 0.00 - 0.49 1.98 0.00 - 2.20 2.11 0.00 - 0.53 22.31 0.00 - 13.31 30.36 0.00 - 21.09 32.22 0.00 - 18.98 34.27 0.00 - 12.34 36.52 0.00 - Fixed Assets % of growth 5.31 n/m 11.93 125% 21.88 83% 60.81 178% 87.99 45% 124.57 42% 153.73 23% 193.10 26% Inventories Trade debtors Prepayments Provisions Other debtors 21.35 42.87 0.00 0.00 3.13 23.06 68.79 0.00 0.00 4.49 33.28 100.31 0.00 0.00 8.92 85.69 103.60 0.00 0.00 17.53 73.44 113.23 0.00 0.00 18.28 103.48 113.97 0.00 0.00 18.40 112.26 123.63 0.00 0.00 19.96 124.33 136.92 0.00 0.00 22.11 Cash Bank Marketable securities 22.36 - 24.90 - 40.17 - 53.73 - 74.55 - 91.05 - 97.96 - 109.78 - - - - - - - 1.19 - Current Assets % of growth 89.71 n/m 121.24 35% 182.67 51% 260.56 43% 279.50 7% 326.90 17% 355.01 9% 393.14 11% Shareholders Equity % of growth Minority interest 17.85 0.00 34.15 91% 2.38 92.21 170% 7.39 116.37 26% 16.96 142.41 22% 31.57 170.04 19% 44.49 201.58 19% 48.27 246.04 22% 53.45 0.00 0.77 0.00 0.11 0.88 0.00 4.49 0.00 0.17 4.66 1.18 1.58 0.00 0.17 2.93 3.99 2.23 0.00 0.17 6.38 1.13 3.42 0.00 0.17 4.72 0.90 3.49 0.00 0.21 1.75 6.35 0.90 5.16 0.00 0.23 2.58 8.88 0.90 5.84 0.00 0.25 2.92 9.92 Debt - long term Debt - short term Debts % of growth 10.42 33.17 43.59 n/m 7.50 50.17 57.66 32% 0.42 46.68 47.10 -18% 3.99 74.96 78.95 68% 0.23 74.21 74.44 -6% 0.18 79.91 80.09 8% 0.18 88.46 88.64 11% 0.18 99.57 99.76 13% Accounts payable Other current liabilities 22.24 10.47 24.41 9.11 50.86 4.05 92.80 5.21 97.61 9.36 137.31 13.19 147.07 14.31 158.70 15.85 Accruals and deferrals 0.00 0.80 0.03 4.70 7.38 0.00 0.00 2.52 Accruals and deferrals Discretionary provisions Bonus and welfare funds Training funds Fund for board of management Other funds Provisions - total Total Liabilities 95.02 133.17 204.55 321.36 367.49 451.48 508.74 586.24 Treasury shares Working capital % of growth Tangible Fixed Assets 0.00 34.64 n/m 4.48 0.00 62.82 81% 9.44 0.00 87.60 39% 18.81 0.00 108.83 24% 36.42 0.00 97.97 -10% 54.96 0.00 85.36 -13% 89.68 0.00 94.48 11% 116.79 0.00 108.81 15% 153.91 Average Capital Employed 39.95 74.75 109.48 169.63 185.97 209.93 248.21 301.91 Off-Balance Sheet Off-balance lease liabilities Off-balance rental liabilities Others Off-balance liabilities 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e EV/Sales EV/EBITDA EV/EBIT PE PEG Valuation (x) - - 0.8 12.0 13.4 20.0 - 0.9 10.8 11.8 16.6 -17% 0.3 3.2 3.5 7.2 -57% 0.4 3.4 3.7 8.4 18% 0.4 3.5 4.0 7.8 -7% 0.3 3.0 3.4 6.5 -17% P/Book Dividend yield (%) - - 5.9 0% 6.3 2% 2.5 6% 2.6 5% 2.3 5% 1.9 6% www.jaccar.net 96 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Shares outstanding (millions) Number of share fully diluted (millions) Per Share Data (USD) 2.63 2.63 5.47 5.47 60.81 60.81 60.81 92.35 92.35 140.98 140.98 148.03 147.84 150.80 150.80 153.82 EPS - Basic - Before extras EPS - Basic - After extras EPS - Diluted - Before extras EPS - Diluted - After extras 3.94 3.94 3.94 3.94 2.88 2.88 2.88 2.88 0.44 0.44 0.44 0.44 0.73 0.73 0.48 0.48 0.54 0.54 0.36 0.36 0.37 0.37 0.35 0.35 0.40 0.40 0.39 0.39 0.47 0.47 0.47 0.47 - - 12.3 17.5 5.2 8.9 8.9 17.7 8.7 12.1 3.0 8.8 1.9 3.9 3.1 3.6 2.3 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 Dividend per share Book value per share 6.78 0.02 6.24 0.03 1.52 0.28 1.91 0.25 1.54 0.16 1.21 0.17 1.36 0.17 1.63 Cash Flow from Oper Per Share - Gross Cash Flow from Oper Per Share - Net 5.06 1.87 3.83 (2.10) 0.76 0.38 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Free Cash Flow Per Share (0.07) (4.62) (0.15) (0.00) 0.00 0.00 (0.00) 0.00 Profitability Ratios (%) Latest price High price Low price Average price 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Gross Margin 5% 5% 15% 20% 21% 21% 22% 24% EBITDA Margin Operating Margin 3% 2% 3% 3% 7% 6% 9% 8% 11% 10% 11% 10% 11% 9% 11% 10% Net Margin 2% 2% 4% 5% 5% 5% 5% 6% Division breakdown / Margins EBITDA Margin System Integration (FPT IS) Software Export (FPT Software) Telecommunication (FPT Telecom) - - - 11% 44% 36% 16% 36% 27% 15% 31% 28% 12% 28% 26% 11% 30% 28% Operating Margin System Integration (FPT IS) Software Export (FPT Software) Telecommunication (FPT Telecom) - - - 10% 37% 27% 15% 36% 29% 14% 31% 30% 11% 29% 28% 10% 29% 29% Net Margin System Integration (FPT IS) Software Export (FPT Software) Telecommunication (FPT Telecom) - - - - - - - - Geographical breakdown / Margins EBITDA Margin Vietnam Japan North America - - - - - - - - Operating Margin Vietnam Japan North America - - - - - - - - Net Margin Vietnam Japan North America - - - - - - - - 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e ROE ROCE Solvability & Efficiency Ratios (%) 58% 30% 50% 24% 35% 28% 45% 27% 44% 38% 38% 33% 37% 25% 37% 24% Gearing Equity / Total Assets 19% 26% 45% 36% 39% 38% 40% 42% Pay-out Ratio Interest cover n/m 8.7 1% 10.6 13% 10.1 62% 15.9 53% 3.5 44% 5.1 47% 10.0 44% 10.9 Inventories (nb of days) Trade debtors (nb of days) Accounts payable (nb of days) Working capital (nb of days) 14.7 29.4 15.3 28.8 9.8 29.3 10.4 28.7 17.5 52.8 26.8 43.6 38.1 46.0 41.2 42.9 26.9 41.5 35.8 32.6 37.7 41.5 50.0 29.2 37.7 41.5 49.3 29.8 37.7 41.5 48.1 31.1 Number of employees (FTE's) Sales / Employee EBIT / Employee Salary / Employee Bonus / Personnel costs 3,177 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.1 4,878 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.3 7,008 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 9,433 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 8,634 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 8,318 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 9,050 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 10,800 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 www.jaccar.net 97 TELECOMMUNICATIONS One Corporation Rating: ACCUMULATE SWITCHING AND GETTING THROUGH Target Price: 14,800 VND Company Data • Starting as a small IT company, One has run over 15 years to become a medium company with a specific position in both IT & telecom sector. Although ONE market share is not too big, among thousands IT & Telecom companies in different types of ownership and SOEs with hidden favors, ONE seems to find out a firm stand with valuable clients from public sector. • Being listing on stock market might be a venture for ONE because the company is just a ‘penny stock’, but that shows the company’s ambition of long term transparent growth. • Seizing the highest rank partnership in Vietnam by Alcatel-Lucent and Nortel, with the high technical capability, ONE is an experienced and professional integrator in telecommunication and IT network sector. • Top management team of ONE has been growing and matured internally in the company since the first date of their career: they are young, ambitious and dynamic, appropriate to the IT and Telecommunication industry with very fast developments. The internal strength of ONE is the unity of company management and Board of Director. • 2009 FCF are forecasted to reach more than VND 16 bn (USD 915k). Thanks to FCF performance, the company would be able to finance its investment in 2010. Meanwhile sales stably grow, ROE and ROCE remains at medium high around 20%. • Still a small size company, liquidity of ONE shares is a bit low • Valuation of ONE uses the average of DCF and Peer Comparison methods, implying a target price is VND 14,800. We adopt an Accumulate recommendation as Vietnam ICT develops fast and its public investment keep growing more than 10% y-o-y. However, a potential dilution in 2010 is not accounted in our target price. Price, close (Apr 21, 2009): 12,800 VND Price, close (Apr 21, 2009): 0.77 USD Market cap. (VND bn): 29 Market cap. (USD m): 1.77 Turnover per day: 12,700 Bloomberg code: ONE VN Company Contacts Dang Anh Phuong (CEO) Lu Hong Chieu (CFO) Do Lien Huong (IR) www.one.com.vn Shareholder structure Dang Anh Phuong Nguyen Doan Le Minh Lu Hong Chieu 10.33% 5.38% 5.08% Performance 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 15,000 10,000 5,000 0 6/08 9/08 Price 12/08 3/09 Price/VN Index P&L Highlights (VND bn) Sales EBIT Op. Margin (%) Net Income Net Margin (%) Fixed Assets Debts FCF FCF yield (%) 2006 95 0 0% (3) -3% 3 21 (4) - 2007 142 12 8% 8 5% 1 0 (2) - 2006 -68% -1% - 2007 31% 111% 0% 2008 108 11 10% 7 7% 2 7 (19) -134% 2009e 119 9 8% 7 6% 4 7 18 137% 2010e 127 12 9% 9 7% 16 7 (8) -60% Key Ratios (x) EV/Sales EV/EBITDA EV/EBIT PE P/Book ROE (%) ROCE (%) Div. Yield (%) Payout ratio (%) Next Events 25/04/09 2008 0.3 2.6 2.9 3.9 0.9 24% 24% 4% 13% 2009e 0.1 1.5 1.6 4.0 0.8 21% 36% 12% 47% 2010e 0.2 1.5 1.6 3.6 0.7 21% 25% 8% 36% SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths • 1st integrator in Vietnam in Contact Center; High ranking partnership with global suppliers • Qualified and experienced technical team • High consensus among BoD and BoM • Various customers: state agencies and privates, local and foreign companies Weaknesses • • • • Just a local, small and private company Products and services are not differentiated Less fix assets and unstable cash flows Major business is too dependent in traditional customers Shareholder meeting Opportunities Analyst NGUYEN Thi Thanh Hoa 81-85 Ham Nghi District 1 Ho Chi Minh City Tel: +84 8 39 14 90 60 [email protected] • Contact Center services is expected to boom by coming years • With supports by government, ICT investment budget is increasing • Top world vendors' entering Vietnam, experienced local integrators needed • Demand of ICT is increasing along with FDI wave www.jaccar.net Threats • Main business of ONE is network (less intelligence value) that brings lowering margin • Thanks to WTO, strong global companies are easy to approach market and set game rules • Many competitors, fierce competition in same segments • Easy to be merged or bought by other 98 TELECOMMUNICATIONS VALUATION In order to valuate ONE, we take a look at different methods: DCF, Peers comparison, Sum of the Part, Sector-based transactions. • • • • DCF: thanks to the positive Free Cash Flows in 2007 - 2008 and assumption of stable growth in coming years, we decide to value the Free Cash Flows over 5 years. Peers Comparison: we decide to take the valuation multiples of AFONE, UNISYS, NEC and Dimension Data as they are global integrator and IT project-based traders. Sector-based transactions are not relevant for ONE because it is small and based on project sales. Sum of the Part: We did not choose this method as ONE is too small and its product segments cannot be breakdown in term of profit and margins. DCF DCF assumptions Sales growth (in %) EBITDA Ebitda margin (in %) growth (in %) Change in provisions Change in WCR Operating cash-flows Taxes Corporate tax rate Investments growth (in %) Dividends Others Free cash-flows Discount Discounted FCF EBIT Op. Margin (in %) Tax rate / EBIT NOPAT Sum of Discounted FCF Terminal value Sub-total - Debts - Others Total Nb of share fully diluted Target price Long-term growth rate 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e 2012e 2013e 108,250 118,814 9.8% 8,992.24 8% -24.8% 0 (14,301) 23,294 1,373 15% 1,500 1.3% 3,450 0 16,971 86% 14,607 7,864 6.6% 17% 6,491 126,662 6.6% 11,870.48 9% 32.0% 0 2,012 9,859 2,893 24% 13,500 800.0% 2,645 0 -9,179 74% -6,800 10,421 8.2% 28% 7,528 139,468 10.1% 12,146.29 9% 2.3% 0 2,247 9,900 2,840 23% 1,500 -88.9% 3,312 0 2,248 64% 1,433 10,562 7.6% 27% 7,721 153,415 10% 13,361 9% 10% 0 2,000 11,361 3,607 27% 1,500 0.0% 3,643 0 2,611 55% 1,433 16,109 10.5% 22% 12,501 168,757 10% 14,697 9% 10% 0 2,000 12,697 3,968 27% 1,500 0.0% 3,643 0 3,586 47% 1,694 17,719 10.5% 22% 13,751 11,956 11% 0 5,094 6,862 2,340 20% 1,481 1,000 0 2,041 0 10,885 10.1% 21% 8,545 12,368 49,297 61,664 2,841 0 64,505 2.645 24,387 3% Source: Jaccar We use some assumptions for DCF method: • • • Sales and EBITDA, EBIT is forecasted to grow stable 5-7% over 2009-2011; Corporate tax rate: in 2009, ONE enjoys the favorable rate at 18% as a small size company in the slowdown. Starting 2010, ONE will pay full tax rate of 25%; New investment of VND 12bn (USD 674,000) added in 2010 after good performance of cash flows in 2009; www.jaccar.net 99 TELECOMMUNICATIONS • The company keeps stable rate of dividends at 10% par value in cash, 10% in stock in coming years. And 30% new investment is funded through new issuance in 2010. The dividend increases steadily with number of shares; As ONE is based on commercial business model, we decide to value the FCF over 5 years. WACC Cost of capital 5-years bond Beta Risk premium in % 9% 1.68 9.45% 25.06% in % 10% 25% 8% in % 49.4% 10,500 2,645,000 51% 16.2% Cost of debt Long-term interest rate Taxes Assumptions Market cap. Share price Nb of shares (fully diluted) Debts WACC Source: Jaccar WACC is based on the following indicators: • Vietnamese 5 year bond: we took into account the average of the transactions on the latest issue done by the government; • Beta: we used the data given by Bloomberg (0.68). We add a coefficient of 1 to take into account the small size of the company and the illiquidity on the stock; • Risk premium: is calculated from a free default government bonds (i.e. the US government bonds on the historical valuation), the Moody’s rating for long term bonds (definition of the ADI default spread) and the adjusted country risk premium (equity emerging markets are in average 1.5x more volatile than bond markets); • Long term interest rate: based on 2008 expectations for the group. This method gives a target price of VND 24,387 per share. PEER COMPARISON We select some following network system integrators and IT- telecommunication providers: • • • • Afone SA provides telecommunications services to individuals, French associations and groups; Unisys Corporation is the global information technology services and solution company. It includes system integration, outsourcing, infrastructure, server technology and consulting; NEC Network and System Integration Corporation designs, constructs and maintains communication systems. The company services are system integration services for digital switching, local area network (LAN) and mobile communication systems; Dimension Data holdings Plc. is also the global technology services company. The group provides solutions and services of infrastructure performance management and integration. One affiliate of the group is Data Craft that is specializing in system integration and established the company named Data Craft Vietnam - one of key players in Vietnam market; www.jaccar.net 100 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Peer comparison Company Name Afone NEC Network and SI Dimension Data Hld Unisys Corp. Median EV/ Last Market EV/Sales EV/Sales EV/Sales EV/Ebitda Ebitda Price cap 2008 2009e 2010e 2008 2009e 3.42 943.0 47.25 1.17 28 477 1,168 433 0.30 0.13 0.24 0.24 0.28 0.12 0.22 0.22 0.12 0.19 0.15 18.16 3.07 3.96 1.78 3.52 3.46 3.07 3.72 1.57 3.26 EV/ Ebitda 2010e 2.89 3.32 1.68 2.89 EV/Ebit EV/Ebit EV/Ebit 2008 2009e 2010e 1.32 7.41 3.05 18.84 6.62 12.73 4.93 4.93 Source: Jaccar Through this method, our target price reached VND 14,284. Conclusion Valuation summary DCF Peer Comparison VND VND incl. country discount USD 24,387 14,284 19,336 20,729 12,142 16,425 1.19 0.69 1.0 Source: Jaccar We adopt an Accumulate recommendation with a VND 14,800 target price We have decided to adopt an Accumulate recommendation with a target price of VND 14,800 per share (after our country discount of 15% and s discount of 10% regarding the low liquidity of the stock). We would like to underline that it doesn’t take into account the risk of dilution (the enterprise could decide to issue new shares in 2010 for financing new investments). www.jaccar.net 101 TELECOMMUNICATIONS SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL? Born in dynamic world, took right steps on time to expand and grow up 15 years in IT & telecom system integration Found in 1994, ONE started as a small IT company, named One Ltd., under form of a private entity, providing IT network and devices. In Vietnam at that time, IT equipment were still “luxury” goods and IT was a fresh and potential sector. Four years later, when IT equipment resellers became more and more popular, the margin of IT equipment business slowdown, ONE expanded to telecommunication business by providing and installing PABX and optical transmission system. By 2000, ONE had started the business of multi-service networks. On March 2001, ONE reformed into joint-stock company and increased the registered capital up to VND 10bn (USD 670,000), more focused on telecommunication and data networks. In 2005, ONE was able to integrate and provide Contact Center and access systems requiring higher technology and intellectual engineer team. ONE has kept the pace of the development of Vietnam IT & Telecommunication. By the time, ONE has changed and added more intellectual value into their products and services; which helped ONE maintained the good margin approx. 10% per products sold. Newly listing by Mid 2008 Board of Management holds 23.25% ownership By the end of 2007, One JSC doubled its registered capital, at VND 20bn (USD 1.25m), renamed ONE Corporation and was listed in Hanoi Stock Exchange (HASTC) on 24/6/2008. The chairman of ONE is Mr. Tu Long, founder and former CEO of ONE during 2000-2007, now owning only 4.6% of the company. Mr. Dang Anh Phuong, became CEO by December 2007, also the biggest shareholder of ONE, seizing 10.3% ownership. The management team owns the biggest portion with 23.2% of the company, by which, they can run the business with less conflicts and more the approvals by Board of Management smoothly. Shareholder structure Member Position in Company Tu Long Nguyen Doan Le Minh Nguyen Thi Hop Dang Anh Phuong Lu Hong Chieu Nguyen Ha Thanh Hoang Ha Le Viet Thang Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet CEO Vice President Vice President, Director of HCMC Branch Vice President Vice President Chief of Accountant Position in the Board % of capital % of voting right Chairman Board member Board member Board member Deputy of BoM 4.60% 5.38% 3.70% 10.33% 5.08% 4.60% 5.38% 3.70% 10.33% 5.08% Board member 3.10% 3.10% Board member 1.83% 1.33% 1.58% 1.83% 1.33% 1.58% Source: Company However, with the company size and business activities of ONE, IPO is a quite surprising decision. The moment of listing was not really favorable. It can be seen as the ambition of the young management team toward the long term and transparent development of the company. That may bring the challenges and the economy and stock market slowdown may unexpectedly impact on the company. www.jaccar.net 102 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Power is concentrated in the new CEO Power transfer to the young generation Technical VPs have 14 year working in ONE Mr. Dang Anh Phuong handles the top management position of ONE at the time of IPO and preparing listing on the stock market. Mr. Phuong joined ONE as a normal salesperson in 1996, promoted to sales manager in 1998, then Deputy Director in 2001. The sales department is the heart of the trading company; so, the promotion of Mr. Phuong is easy to understand. But it seems to have a transfer of key ownership and management power from the former to the new CEO. Born in 1974, becoming the top after 12 years working for ONE, this young CEO is the worthy representative for leading ONE in the active business of IT & Telecommunication sector. Besides Mr. Phuong, there are 4 important Vice General directors of ONE. The first one is Mr. Lu Hong Chieu, the Vice Director on Financial Administration and Vice Chairman of BoM. Mr. Chieu, a former independent investor with more than 10 years in financial management, has realized the opportunities and potential growth of ONE, decided to become one of its key shareholders. He currently owns 5% of its equity, and is working as a chief consultant on business administration and financial management. Other 2 vice directors, Mr. Hoang Ha & Mr. Viet Thang are in charge orderly of product technical management, handling solution consultancy, and supervising solution development. They have been active members of the Corp. since 1996, using their expertise in this industry to develop a skilled technical labor pool for the Corp. Mr. Ha Thanh, ONE Corp.'s Vice General Director and Southern Branch Manager since 1999, has successfully integrated his wellestablished market understanding and administrative skills into the expansion of the Corp. list of partners and clients. The revenue of the Southern market has gradually increased, with a prospect surpassing headquarter market in next year. The sales department remains at the heart of the organization but strong technical team is essential Like many other enterprises in the integrated system and commercial solution market, ONE business structure puts the sales division at the center of its operations - which involving all business planning and promotional activities, bidding and handling of business agreements. High qualified technical team builds the strong capacity for big projects… However, it is the technical department with its skillful staffs and engineers with years of large project implementation experiences which defines ONE competitive edges against its competitors. The technical engineering team of ONE, who was trained and accredited by its internationally renowned suppliers, has extensively grown up. ONE has engaged and successfully completed a number of technically complicated projects with high requirements in technologies, such as submarine cable recovery & repairing projects, the Contact Center 1080 solution for Dong Nai Province's post-office and the nation-wide Contact Center solution for VMS-Mobifone. …and high ranking partnership with international suppliers Thanks to these big deals, ONE Corp. has established a tight partnership at high level with international corporations such as Alcatel, Nortel, Keymile, ZTT, etc. The success of ONE has come along with those partners' reputation. At present, ONE Corp. has 80 experienced technical staff, 70% of them have graduate and postgraduate education. By implementing the projects, ONE technical team keeps being trained and certified by the mentioned international partners. ONE Corp. has also contracted 30 technological consultants and associates with technical expertise as an extra support for upcoming projects. All of the above things contribute to ONE technical capacity for attending tenders over other competitors. Among the same size companies in the same range of products and services, this team of ONE‘s team is stronger and more experienced. However, this advantage is only useful in some limited deals where products and solutions of ONE’s suppliers are selected. On the other www.jaccar.net 103 TELECOMMUNICATIONS hand, there will be not much chance for ONE to win in competing against much bigger integrators like FPT or CMC in the IT projects of or provided to non-traditional clients. Organization chart Board of Shareholder Board of Supervisors Board of Management CEO Vice Director Accountant General Sales Director Accounting Division Technical Director Importing Division Sales Division Personnel Department Technical Division Saigon Branch Customer Service PABX Transmission Call Center Source s: ONE, Jaccar www.jaccar.net 104 TELECOMMUNICATIONS VALUABLE CUSTOMER = SUCCESS KEY The below chart is an overview of main forms of products and services in enterprise information technology industry and top listed vendors. Overview of technology industry Average Gross Margin 26% Enterprise IT “Stack” IBM, CSC, HPQ IT Services Intelligence Application Software 75% SAP, NSFTM,CRN 74% ORCL, MSFT 65% CSCO, JNPR Network 28% HPQ, DELL, IBM Hardware Software Infrastructure Software Infrastructure Source: Jaccar Networking is lowering margin business ONE is working on Enterprise Networking business. The intelligence and value adding factor in this segment is not high, so the margin of business is going down (only 2-10%). That is the reason why ONE and alike integration companies need to increased percentage of services in total revenues. The industry includes 8 segments, the below table provide key information of each market segment: Market shares of top international suppliers Market Projected (In USD) Size Growth Switches Routers Telephony 17.3 4.3 9.6 6% 3% 7% Appl. Delivery Controller 1.1 11% WAN Optimization Wireless 0.8 1.9 15% 14% Security 5.2 5% Video Enterprise Networking Sector 1.7 23% Top3 Vendors, 2Q08 Cisco (67%) HP (5%) 3Com (4%) Cisco (76%) Juniper (6%) 3Com (3%) Avaya (18%) Cisco (17%) Nortel (13%) Prime market Spending Driver(s) Priority Macroeconomic Macroeconomic Macroeconomic Cost Savings Cisco (34%) F5 (33%) Citrix (10%) Productivity Cisco (27%) Blue Coat (25%) Riverbed (24%) Productivity Cisco (50%) Aruba (7%) Motorola (7%) Data Protection Productivity Cisco (40%) Juniper (10%) Check Point (9%) Cost Savings Tandberg (36%) Polycom (33%) Radvision (3%) Low Low Low High Medium Low High Low 7% Sources: Infonetics Research, Wainhouse Research, and William Blair & Company, L.L.C estimates Note: Forecasted CAGR (2008-2011) were made at the time before the incident of the global financial crisis. The most relevant segment of ONE are Switching and Telephony, let’s take a look at the global market share of those segments and the whole enterprise network for ideas on ONE’s suppliers: www.jaccar.net 105 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Top Six Enterprise networking Vendors (2007) Enterprise Telephony Market share (2Q08) Other, 35% Juniper, 2% Avaya, 18.0% Other, 19.1% Siemens, 3% Avaya, 4% AlcatelLucent, 4% NEC, 7.2% Nortel, 6% AlcatelLucent, 13.0% Siemens, 11.9% Nortel, 13.4% Cisco, 46% Cisco, 17.3% Source: Infonetics Research and William Blair & Company, L.L.C Source : Infonetics Research and William Blair & Company, L.L.C Application Switching market share (2Q08) Radware, 5.6% Other, 6.7% Foundry, 5.8% Cisco, 34.2% Nortel, 6.2% Citrix, 9.6% F5, 32.8% Source : Infonetics Research and William Blair & Company, L.L.C ONE obviously has the good partnership with some in the top venders such as Nortel, AlcatelLucent, Juniper, therefore has a good stand in market. Sum of their market share is totally 12%, unable to compare with Cisco with 46% total network market share. Though, ONE chooses nonCisco partners to go business with as Cisco had dozen of local ones in Vietnam. It is hard to fight in the crowded playground. In the specific segments such as telephony, switching where Nortel and Alcatel-Lucent are not overpowered by Cisco, ONE still gets its own space. In local market, the entry barrier of system integration sector is low with the already occupancy ONE market share is not higher than 4% by big leaders like FPT of 50% market share and many same size competitors, there is not big pie for ONE. Despite getting a specific position in the sector, ONE still stands somewhere in the lowmedium group with its market share not higher than 4%. www.jaccar.net 106 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Market share in system integration ISP Visco ONE DTS Hong Co Tecapro FPT HiPT CMC Elcom HPT Source: Jaccar Products, system & solutions: 96% / Services: 4%, is it the best cocktail? Improving services proportion to products in total revenue With 15 years in business, ONE Corp. has successfully built up its image of quality system and service providers with continual improvement of technical expertise. ONE Corp. has grasped any opportunities to penetrate its advanced telecommunication products and solutions available to the market. What's more important is that ONE has consistently focused on its branding and image building strategies along with its business ties with key customers, including the Ministry of Public Security, Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), major telecommunication enterprises of VNPT, Government's agencies, overseas corporations, banks and organizations. Sales breakdown (2006-2008) 2006 Products and solutions, incl: Optical cables LAN, WAN, etc. for Enterprise Network, Transmission (Carrier) SDH and Access PABX and Contact Center Video Conferencing PCs and IT devices Others/Softwares Services Total Revenue 2007 2008 Value 94,031 14,000 29,000 8,000 25,000 5,431 600 12,000 % 98.95% 14.73% 30.52% 8.42% 26.31% 5.71% 0.63% 12.63% Value 140,985 80,000 16,000 6,000 14,985 14,000 1,000 9,000 % 98.95% 56.15% 11.23% 4.21% 10.52% 9.83% 0.70% 6.32% 1,000 95,031 1.05% 1,500 142,485 1.05% Value 104,160 8,037 27,115 10,262 677 45,698 337 8,006 4,029 4,090 108,250 96.20% 7.40% 24.90% 9.40% 0.60% 42.00% 0.30% 7.40% 3.70% 3.80% Source: Jaccar www.jaccar.net 107 TELECOMMUNICATIONS A policy of long term contract Key projects and customers Items Key Customer /Project Value/Year of implementation EVN – Power Company region 3 (PC3) (2006-2007) 2006: VND10.3bn 2007: USD 4mil 2005: VND9bn (Fiber optic), VND500mil (Fusion splicer) 2006-2007: VND 23.3bn (Fiber optic) 2007: VND ~58bn Telecommunication Fiber Optic Suppliers: ZTT EVN – Power Company region 3 (PC3) EVN – Power Company region 2 (PC2) Da Nang & 9 provinces in Middle region Products/ solution provide Fiber optic of ADSS, F8 types and accessories (ZTT) Da Nang & 9 provinces in Middle region Fiber optic of ADSS, F8 types (ZTT), Fusion splicer (Sumitomo) Sites 2007: VND22.3bn Southern Region 2001: USD 476,000 2002: USD 825,000 Optical Transmission: 2003: USD 890,000 2004-2005: USD Hanoi, HCMC, Da + PDH, 2.032mil Nang & other + SDH, VNPT – VTN 2006: USD 750,000 provinces + DWDM 2000-2001: VND 4bn Ministry of Public + Metropolitan Area Security - Information 2001-2002: VND 6.2bn Hanoi, HCMC, Da Network-Ethernet 2002-2003: VND 11.5bn Nang & other 61 Center (MAN-E), 2004-2006: VND 15bn provinces (2000-2006) Suppliers: Nortel and EVN – Power Company region 3 Da Nang & 9 Alcatel (PC3) 2005: VND 21.2 bn provinces in (2005-2006) 2006: VND 14.2 bn Middle region PABX system & Contact Center Suppliers: Nortel and Alcatel VNPT/VMS Ministry of Public Security - E13 (Communication Division) E13 VNPT/Dong Nai P&T VMS Truong Minh Jsc HSBC Hanoi HSBC Hanoi 2005-2006: VND 15.6bn 2001-2002: VND 1.5bn 2002-2003: VND 3bn 2004-2005: VND 5bn 2007: VND 4.5bn 2007: VND2.9bn 2007-2008: VND5.1bn 2007-2008: VND13.8bn 2007: VND2.35bn 2007-2008: VND2.36bn www.jaccar.net SDH: TN-1C, TN-1X, TN16X (Nortel) SDH: TN-1P, TN-1X, TN16X (Nortel) SDH: TN-1P (Nortel); MUX: UMUX 1500 (Keymile) Contact Center Hardware, Software (Nortel) and software Hanoi, HCMC, Da developed by One Nang OmniPCX Enterprise PABX Hanoi, HCMC, and (Alcatel) other provinces PABX Contact Center Contact Center Contact Center Contact Center PABX 108 TELECOMMUNICATIONS VNPT/VDC VNPT/VDC Frame Relay/X.25: 2003: VND 15bn 2004: VND 4.5bn 2005: VND 4.8bn 2006-2007: VND 6.5bn 2003: VND 15bn 2004: VND 4bn 2005: VND 6.5bn Multiservice Switch Hanoi, HCMC, Da Passport Nang & other 16 (Nortel) key provinces North: 9 provinces: South: 9, Middle: 3 Access Server provinces (Aastra) LAN, WAN, Servers and workstations (IBM, HP), switch, passport Hanoi, HCMC, Da (Nortel), cables Nang & other (AMP) provinces 2000: USD50,000 2001: USD200,000 2003: USD150,000 IT and telecom 2004: USD150,000 network: 2005: USD650,000 + Broadband Access 2006: USD500,000 System (xDSL) & 2007: USD800,000 EVN - PC1 & PC3 Multi-Service Access 1996-2000: USD 580,000 Node (MSAN) 2001: USD252,000 + Data Network and 2002: 350,000 Security Network 2003: USD 630,000 Switch, +Server, Switch, Router 2004: USD 510,000 Vietinbank HQ & passport +LAN, WAN and 2005-2006: USD700,000 145 branches over (Nortel), cables Vietinbank (1996cables 2007: USD 400,000 the country (AMP) 2005) Switch, passport, WALN 2000: USD 150,000 (Nortel), cables 2001-2002: USD: (AMP), PC, 500,000 2003-2004: USD 600,000 Campus, e-library, Server data network 2005: USD500,000 all division and Poly technique (SUN,IBM,HP) 2006: USD 600,000 facilities University, Hanoi HSBC in HCMC 2007: VND3.8bn E15-Technical Dept. 2007: VND 4.5bn (MoPS) 2007-2008: 3.2bn LAN Camera and speaker Others Hochiminh city Power 2007-2008: VND 6.6bn network Source :ONE Important customers are from government side Several of these companies have long-term projects with ONE, such as EVN and its affiliated companies (PC1, PC2, and PC3) with their optic cable systems and networks; Ministry of Public Security (MoPS); VNPT's major telecommunication enterprises, such as VMS, VTN, and VDC, and provincial and city post-offices with their operator systems and contact centers. The contracts with those customers are done through bidding process where ONE has advantages of experience and technical capacity in the previous projects. The timeline of project is normally about 3-6 months. In practices of deals with government sides, especially with MoPS, after the initial bidding, the renewal contract or next phases of project expansion is continued with ONE. As for PABX systems and solutions, ONE has a wide range of customers, from Ministries (Public Security, National Defense) to local enterprises (aviation companies, telecommunication corporations, and banks), overseas organizations, 5-stars hotels, and universities. www.jaccar.net 109 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 1st in Contact Center system ONE technological expertise and prestige have been proven through a number of complicated telecommunication projects, such as submarine cable systems, Contact Center for 1080 service operators, VMS. ONE has early started to approach communication systems (Call centers) business since early 90s. Now the customer service communication solutions (Contact Center) become a strategic business of ONE. ONE could be considered a leading corporation in Vietnam Contact Center market with profound experience in extensive, professional system implementation. The target customers of ONE regarding Contact Center solutions are varied with their high demands of quality, including major telecommunication enterprises, outsourcing companies specializing in Call/Contact Center services, and overseas banking institutions. Empowered by partnership with the major suppliers Partnership with top global venders is the most advantage One of the company advantages over its competitors is its high ranking strategic partnership with internationally renowned IT and telecommunication enterprises. Thanks to their partnerships, ONE Corp. has significantly enhanced its technological expertise, and consequently, gained fruitful collaboration from their partner's business projects. ONE's brand names and market positions have been developed along with these partners' reputation. Nortel Networks: ONE Corp. is the only Silver partner of Nortel in Vietnam with leading sales revenue. As a matter of fact, ONE Corp. supplies almost all of Nortel products and solutions, from transmission systems (MAN-E, SDH), soft switch operators, PABXs, Contact Centers to Security and WAN, LAN, Wireless networking solutions etc. Nortel is also one of top 5 telecommunication giants of switch and telephony solutions. In Vietnam, Nortel has entered the telecommunication market for years and gradually strengthened their position. Nortel's Contact Centers are considered as most adaptive solutions with highest quality for Vietnam market. However, it's Nortel Networks staying at the edge of bankruptcy that has left critical effects on ONE businesses recently. ONE now has to cope with increasing difficulties in its development of Nortel products. ONE will have to turn into other suppliers for an alternative to Nortel in order to secure its market shares and brand names. Alcatel Lucent: ONE is the Premier Partner of Alcatel Lucent with SDH, PABX, WAN, LAN, Wireless, and Security products and solutions Especially, ONE has become Genesys' exclusive Business Partner in professional Contact Centers. However, Genesys' brand names have not been well-positioned yet Keymile: as an exclusive Business Partner of Keymile AG in Vietnam, ONE is providing them with its DSLAM and MSAN IP product line. ZTT: ZTT is considered as a leading enterprise in fiber optic cable industry in terms of output volume, and ONE Corp. has become one of ZTT's Premier Partners in fiber optic cable cores, OPGW, ADSS, and F8 fiber optic cable markets. Verint: ONE is currently one of Verint's Business Partners, specializing in Contact Center's supervising recording and staff scoreboard, and Workforce Management solutions. How to ride the economic wave? The slowdown hits global technology giants; the sector growth is about 2% in 2009 Under critical effects of the recently widespread financial crisis, high-tech industries find themselves at the edge of a real economic abyss. According to Gartner's surveys, the enterprises and governments worldwide have spent approx. USD 1,750 bn for their technology needs. The average CAGR ratio of IT and telecommunication equipment market would be at approx. 7% in the 2007-2012 period (Deutsche Bank February 2008, exclusive of global crisis impacts). This industry is recognized as an important driver of productivity enhancement, and increasing investments in high-tech business is a positive of economic growth. Once facing financial crisis, several corporations tends to cut off their expenditures and the first victims are consequently the high-tech enterprises. Since the near-devastating effect in 2000's dot.com bubble, the high-tech industry has partially recovered through increased demands in personal electronic devices. www.jaccar.net 110 TELECOMMUNICATIONS However, the commercial users are sharing its difficulties with civil users with more tightened policies towards personal consumption credit. Business loss or bankruptcy, massive labor laidoff, and factory closing have added more shadows to the dreary picture of the high-tech industry. Even key players in high-tech market was struggling with financial loss and seeking aids from the governments, or worse, becoming targets to be taken over, such as Sun, Nortel, Motorola, and Sprint. With these gloomy predictions, according to IDC and Gartner, the growth rate of hightech industry will be very low, remaining at 2-2.6% in 2009 and 2010, and will be restored by 2011, which will hopefully reach 6% by 2012. Vietnam could be an exception? Thanks to spending on government IT, there is a tail-wind in Vietnam Strategy for Development of Viet Nam’s Information Technology towards 2010 and orientations towards 2020 approved by Prime Minister in the Decision No. 246/2005/QD-TTg, which clearly defined "Telecommunication and IT industries shall become spearhead economic sectors with privileges, supports and encouragement from the Government." As stating in this paper, the telecommunication and information technology have become a pioneer industry with annual growth rate of 20-25%, resulting in revenue of USD 6 - 7 bn per year by 2010; and a growth rate above 20% with USD 15 bn revenue expected in 2020. In 2007, the strategy for development of Viet Nam’s Information Technology towards 2010 - 2020 has been approved by Prime Minister, in order to establish and develop e-Government, e-Citizen and e-Commerce applications as other developed countries in the Asia. According to this plan, IT investment would account for 1% of the State's budget and 2% of the overall capital of all other sectors. The above strategy was outlined in 2005, and in fact, we all witnessed the booming period of Vietnam telecommunication and information technology industry in 2005 - 2008. And thanks to the mobile technology market, Vietnam telecommunication and information technology industry has a growth rate of 28% in 4 years, and a market value of USD 5.5 bn. However, facing the menace of global economic crisis, the growth rate will be slow down as mentioned above. Vietnam telecommunication and IT industries are in first stages of expansion with potential growing possibility. Vietnam IT industry can enjoy 10% growth in 2009 and higher in the next years According to general assessment made by ICT researchers, the growth rate of IT industry and telecommunication equipment market would be double the GDP growth. In Vietnam case, that rate will be approx. 10% in 2009 (5% GDP growth rate as estimated by IMF and HSBC), and 12.4% in 2010. www.jaccar.net 111 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Five forces analysis Bargaining power of Buyers – High Buyers become smarter and on projects purchase model Intense price pressure Many choices of technology and solution available Bargaining power of Suppliers – Medium Only top suppliers with famous brand can bring trustable and end -to-end solutions Partnership types ran ked by suppliers is the most important factor of capacity Industry rivalry – High Trader or integrator just plays intermediary role , there is a lot of IT and telecom equipment and network traders. Projects to government agencies must be in bidding mode l that leads to price competition Customers consolidating their technology relationships onto loyal integrators Threat of substitute products – Medium Many international suppliers can provide products and solutions Solutions are a bit expensive to develop and maintain Threat of entry – Medium Success in deals or tenders requires the strong capacity in terms of experience and quality of technical team Commitment to support by suppliers is needed, only partnership model with suppliers can guarantee t he favorable prices and qualification in technical capacity Source: Jaccar Bloom incantation Specialization vs. Diversification The first strategy adopted by ONE is diversifying their line of business in IT and telecommunication fields, along with specializing their existing products and services, to provide their clients with more choices of system solutions. ONE consistently focuses its investments only to those areas of their expertise. This is an appropriate tactic for ONE's scale of business, while its industrial experiences and technical staffs have been well trained and developed. ONE has successfully secured their image and business relationships with key suppliers and clients. Moreover, with their existing client base of long term business tie-ups, ONE is able to offer more choices to them while ONE 's suppliers, namely Alcatel, Keymile and Nortel, have a wide range of products and solutions at many different scales. Maintain the leading position in favorable segment ONE Corp. affirmed that they will continue to secure their market leadership with their selected strategic products and solutions, including: switching, Contact Centers, and IT Telecommunication network systems. The above favorable segment will mainly contribute the income and maintain the profit of company. Service-oriented development As the common strategy adopted by most hi-tech enterprise worldwide in dealing with hardware profitability coming down or standing still, ONE Corp. aims at leveraging service business ratio in the revenue structure. From 1% of 2007, ONE Corp. set out a new revenue objective for its service business, targeting at an annual increase of 10% in maintenance services toward 2011, 75% of earnings originated from equipment installation and service solutions, and 15% from fiber optical cable products. www.jaccar.net 112 TELECOMMUNICATIONS With more than 15 years in system solution market, especially after the blooming period with substantial projects in 2005 - 2007, the warranty period of most systems provided in this period is coming to an end, and ONE Corp. could count on maintenance services to boost up its sales. But considering the risk of income decline for fiber optic cable products and of service earnings recording, Jaccar forecasts the Corp. revenue of its optic cable products and service business would reach only 11% and 7% respectively. However, a portion of service earnings currently comes from system solution supply contracts. One Corp. : change your mind! Sales breakdown 2009e Products and solutions, incl: Optical cables LAN, WAN, etc. for Enterprise Network, Transmission (Carrier) SDH and Access PABX and Contact Center Video Conferencing PCs and IT devices Others/Software Services Total Revenue Growth 111,860 10,000 31,182 12,315 9,740 36,558 1,100 8,406 2,559 6,954 118,814 9.76% % revenue 94.15% 8.42% 26.24% 10.36% 8.20% 30.77% 0.93% 7.07% 2.15% 5.85% 2010e 117,622 7,500.00 33,364.52 13,176.54 10,227.26 40,214.22 1,155.00 9,246.64 2,738.22 9,039.78 126,662 6.61% % revenue 92.86% 5.92% 26.34% 10.40% 8.07% 31.75% 0.91% 7.30% 2.16% 7.14% 2011e 128,620 8,025.00 35,032.74 14,494.19 10,943.17 46,246.36 1,212.75 9,708.97 2,957.28 10,847.74 139,468 10.11% % revenue 92.22% 5.75% 25.12% 10.39% 7.85% 33.16% 0.87% 6.96% 2.12% 7.78% Source Jaccar The overall assessment on ONE business operations and potentiality could be made in two perspectives: one from its traditional clients, and the other from its service and product segment: Sharply decline in fiber optic segment • Fiber optic to EVN: There will be the slowdown of fiber optic business since the most important client of ONE - EVN has finished all major phases of the rural telecommunication projects in Middle and South. On one hand, although EVN creates a demand of several thousands of kilometers of fiber optic cables, but these are divided into small project and allocated to its member companies or major provincial electronic companies. On the other hand, there are about 11 fiber optic cable manufacturers working in Vietnam. For the cable types of ADSS and F8 self-supporting supplied by ZTT to ONE, the joint-venture producers like Focal, LS Vina now can manufacture and offer similar one to the market. There is not much difference of price while the quality of domestic products has been improved. That's why there will be a sharp decline in its earnings on fiber optic cable products in 2008 2009. In 2008, it moved down by 90%, holding only 7% of the revenue, and equivalent to 56% of 2007's. The forecasted earnings from fiber optic cables and accessories of 2009 is resumed at VND 10 bn, accounting for 8% of the revenue structure. For the coming years, when the local fiber optic cable markets begin to grow up, the sales revenue of this sector will still slow down, ranging from VND 7 - 8 bn, equivalent to approx. USD400,000 (5 - 6% of the revenue). Low investment in network infrastructure of MoPS because Vinasat took the most concerns in 2009-2010 • Ministry of Public Security: This is key client of ONE in terms of PABX, optical transmission systems and other IT infrastructure solutions, such as WANs, LANs and switches. With its prestige and experience, ONE had won 80% of IT expansion and upgrading contracts from Ministry of Public Security. But in the gloomy economy of the year 2009, the Ministry's investment on the system expansion or purchases has been cut off. Along with the launch of VINASAT satellite, Ministry of Public Security is now enjoying an extra bandwidth and has focuses most of its investments in 2009-2010 to ground infrastructure facilities compatible with www.jaccar.net 113 TELECOMMUNICATIONS the new satellite networks instead of the traditional landline cable ones. Sales income from Ministry of Public Security's equipment supplies will decline, but there will be new earnings from service contract on maintenance, replacement for warranty expired systems that ONE provided this client. • Light decline in network sales to VNPT… … but a boost in Contact Center for telecom service providers Transmission systems, telephone operators, Contact Centers, switches for agencies and companies of VNPT: ONE keeps 20-25% market share as a supplier of the mentioned devices for VNPT. There are two contradicting trends in telecommunication system supplying market, with decreasing needs of SDH and Access (which are suffering a great fall in market shares, approx. 95% compared to 2007), and the Network and Transmission (carrier) sectors tends to grow dramatically. In fact, SDH and Access sales was not much lowered, since most of the contracts of these products have been come into effect by the end of last year, and its revenue was included in 2009 sales. However, the sales revenue will soon restored in 2009, but only at 65% compared to 2007. In addition, the proper explanation of these two trends of consumption is that the telecommunication network infrastructures of Vietnam and VNPT have been moving towards fiber optic networks. Vietnam infrastructure facilities is growing, especially with the participation of VNPT and its members, such as VDC, VTN and other provincial telecommunication companies (customers of ONE), with projects of expansion and upgrading their infrastructure systems to increasing high demand in this field. In next 3 years, the ONE sales income rate driving from telecommunication equipment and systems might reach 8-10% as for access and network carrier, 25-26% for enterprise WAN. In 2009, the actual growth rate of its telecommunication products and solutions will remain high, thanks to the supplying contracts signed in late 2008. Those projects, which take half of its revenue in this field, usually are bid and entered into contracts in November and December 2008, then recorded and handed over in 2009. One business advantage that contributes to the leadership of ONE in system solutions is its Contact Center products. Its Contact Center services is expected to greatly expand in mid 2009 with outsourcing needs from telecommunication solution providers. IDC's forecast implies a CAGR of 17% of service sectors for this Asia - Pacific region (exclusive of Japan) towards 2012. In Vietnam, the number of telephone subscribers is 82 million, of which 85% are mobile telephone subscribers, and is moving toward 100 million by 2010. The committed FDI volume in 2008 has been realized with a prospect of many international companies, contributing to the emerging retail banking sector with key players as HSBC, ANZ, and Standard Charter. This is an important opportunity to ONE Along with projects completed for VMS, EVN, 1080 Service Operator and some local post-offices in 2007 - 2008, ONE has also handled a number of important projects for private Contact Center service providers and HSBC. In 2008, the revenue of Contact Center in ONE business rocketed up, at 220%. The potential growth of ONE in this particular segment is quite positive, with its leadership of this market, even thought it has been critically impacted by recent crises and the banking institutions may not invest in their own Contact Center system but using outsourcing or offshore services in 2009 - 2010. Telecommunication support service providers have also limited their growing capacity in service expansion. The growth rate of 2009 is forecasted to fall by 20% compared to 2008, and then will be restored and increased by 10% and 15% in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Services of offshore calls provided by the international operators will develop by that time. With their experience, ONE keeps the chance to become local partner for local support maintenance of Contact center system. For solutions of WANs, LANs, operators, Contact Center, transmission systems, ONE is now facing critical situation when its primary supplier of this segment - the Nortel Network - has filed for bankruptcy protection. With its profound backgrounds of experience, skilled personnel and long-term relationship with their clients, ONE Corp. could turn to another supplier for alternative partnership to Nortel. However, in this very first stage of collaboration with its new partner, i.e Avaya, Juniper Networks, ONE has to make certain concession over the course of negotiation. www.jaccar.net 114 TELECOMMUNICATIONS IT system at 7% growth Services targeted at 6-8% of total revenue over 3 coming years • The IT external devices, systems and PC sales are forecasted to decline in 2009 - 2011. One of its traditional customers is Vietinbank contributing to ONE sales revenue of USD 0.5 - 1 m per year. Adding income from other clients, its sales portion is about 7%. The financial sector has been influenced by recent global crises, resulting in a decrease in its network expansion. Yet the sales income for telecommunication solutions and services for ministry and agencies has increased. This demand will continue to grow with slowing speed; • Video Conference System: this is not a business advantage of ONE Corp. In 2009, the revenue showed a sharp increase due to a trend of online teleconference in public sectors. In 2010-2011, an average growth rate of 5% is expected, even though its ratio per the company gross revenue is quite low, just less than 1%; ONE Corp. has planned a service expansion strategy through maintenance and servicing supports for supplied systems. The 2008 and 2009 growth rate of service sector was more than 170% and 70% (thanks to the maintenance contract of Contact Center with VMS) and its growth rate is to remain at 30% for the year to come, and 20% in 2011. That will present 6% - 8% over next 3 years. • www.jaccar.net 115 TELECOMMUNICATIONS FORECASTS Income statement Sales Income growth rate will be 9.8% in 2009, 6% in 2010, and recover at 10% in 2011 The important sales contribution is from Contact Center Income forecast is defined by each of company services and product segment, basing on 2008 figures. 2009 will be a tough year to ONE, but 2009's revenue growth will remain at 9.8%, thanks to a series of contracts signed by the end of 2008. The impact of global economic recession and tighten investment schemes will be clearly reflected in 2010 (since most of project disbursements are made by year end, and the revenues are recorded in the next fiscal year). Moreover, it's not easy to find an alternative technology partner to replace Nortel, and in the initial phases of new partnership, ONE will have less advantages and favorable commercial terms. Jaccar forecasts that ONE growth rate will remain as low as 6% in 2010. The sales revenue growing rate of 10% will be restored in 2011 when this country's economy begins to recover, both private and state-owned enterprises resume their investments in IT-telecommunication network. Also entries of foreign corporations will boost up the Contact Center services and network business. However, high-tech solutions and products will suffer from normal decline trend. The product segment of fiber optic cables, network systems, IT equipments, access systems will be decreased by 4% - 8% in prices; and network transmission carriers, operators and contact centers 0.5% 2%. Therefore, in average, ONE’s solutions and products prices will fall by 4% in 2009 and 2010, by 5% in 2011. Whereas, its sales volume will rise by 11% in 2009, by 8% in 2010, and will remain higher than the average sales volume growth of Vietnam IT industry (12.5%), reaching 15%, thanks to the recovery of Contact Center business in which ONE is a dominant player. Sales 2009e (In m VND) Optical cables LAN, WAN, etc. for Enterprise Network, Transmission (Carrier) SDH and Access PABX and Contact Center Video Conferencing PCs and IT devices Others/Softwares Services Total Revenue Revenue 2008 % of revenue Revenue 2009 8,037 27,115 10,262 677 45,698 337 8,006 4,029 4,090 108,250 7.42% 25.05% 9.48% 0.63% 42.22% 0.31% 7.40% 3.72% 3.78% Growth 10,000 31,182 12,315 9,740 36,558 1,100 8,406 2,559 6,954 118,814 24.4% 15.0% 20.0% 1338.7% -20.0% 226.4% 5.0% -36.5% 70.0% 9.8% Revenue 2009 % of revenue Revenue 2010 Growth Source: Jaccar Sales 2010e (In m VND) Optical cables LAN, WAN, etc. for Enterprise Network, Transmission (Carrier) SDH and Access PABX and Contact Center Video Conferencing PCs and IT devices Others/Softwares Services Total Revenue 10,000 31,182 12,315 9,740 36,558 1,100 8,406 2,559 6,954 118,814 8.42% 26.24% 10.36% 8.20% 30.77% 0.93% 7.07% 2.15% 5.85% 7,500 33,365 13,177 10,227 40,214 1,155 9,247 2,738 9,040 126,662 -25.0% 7.0% 7.0% 5.0% 10.0% 5.0% 10.0% 7.0% 30.0% 6.6% Source: Jaccar www.jaccar.net 116 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Sales 2011e (In m VND) Revenue 2010 % of revenue Revenue 2011 Optical cables LAN, WAN, etc. for Enterprise Network, Transmission (Carrier) SDH and Access PABX and Contact Center Video Conferencing PCs and IT devices Others/Softwares Services Total Revenue 7,500 33,365 13,177 10,227 40,214 1,155 9,247 2,738 9,040 126,662 5.92% 26.34% 10.40% 8.07% 31.75% 0.91% 7.30% 2.16% 7.14% 8,025 35,033 14,494 10,943 46,246 1,213 9,709 2,957 10,848 139,468 Growth 7.0% 5.0% 10.0% 7.0% 15.0% 5.0% 5.0% 8.0% 20.0% 10.1% Source: Jaccar Steadily falling COGS Lower raw material per sales thanks to increase sales of services Over the year, the fiber optic cable income will fall sharply, and the service scale-up strategy will help it lowering COGS rate. In 2009, the COGS/Sales ratio will be 84%, gradually falling to 82% in both 2010 and 2011. Stable personnel costs Personnel costs of more than 6% for a stable human resources ONE is fully aware that its human resources, especially its skillful technical staffs, are a vital driver to the business success. But as a small size company, ONE Corp. does not have much advantage in attracting high qualified personnel or talented experts as permanent staffs. Therefore, in order to ensure the stability of employment and technical capacity, ONE must assure good benefit packages to its employees in compared with other same size companies in field. The average monthly income of its employees is VND 7 million, and the ratio of personnel cost per revenue will be 6.2% in 2009-2010. And with its predicted sales boost in 2011, its employees' average monthly income is expected to reach VND 7.5 million, and the ratio of personnel cost per revenue will be 6.5%. Besides, ONE will gradually increase its official personnel to 100 people by 2011. Balance Sheet New investment in fixed assets USD 600,000 investment in 2010 ONE fixed assets have been gradually increases over the years, but most of them are office equipments. At present, ONE is located in leased offices in Ha Noi (since March 2008) and Ho Chi Minh City. Because ONE Corp. owns no real estate or high value fixed assets, its ratio of fixed assets per total equity remained at 4% in 2008, which is forecasted to be the same for 2009. However, The company board of directors is planning to purchase a house or place for head office at cost of VND 12bn (USD 600,000). The plan will implement by beginning of 2010. The ratio will be raised to 20% in 2010 and 2011 with a total fixed assets worth VND 17.6 bn and VND 19 bn. The intangible fixed assets of ONE are software of business management and accounting application. High current assets Current assets is the big portion of working capital In contrast with its fixed assets, ONE Corp.'s current assets ratio is always high (accounting for 90% of its total assets) - the exact model of a trading business. Most of its annual current assets are cash and trade debtors. ONE has no plan in securities and financial investments, and its cash www.jaccar.net 117 TELECOMMUNICATIONS flows are gradually replenished. With its project-based business model, the trade debt is delivered along with project progress, which is normally 2 - 3 months from the contract effective dates to project hand-over dates. However, because most of its key projects are initiated at year end, and ONE has to have advance orders prior to the date of financial statement, its reported debit balance is usually high, resulting longer trade payable, such as 139 days in 2008. It's forecasted that, in 2009 - 2011, the average is 90 days. Financial structure No long term debt Current liabilities and shareholder’s equity is quite similar (47% - 53%). ONE has A-grade credit scores by banking institutions, so it may be granted short-term loans for its projects (in 2009, it is enjoying a stimulus loan interest of 4%), and because ONE Corp. has no long-term debts, its stable financial and substantial development are ensured. Therefore, in 2009, ONE Corp. shareholder’s equity is expected to gradually increase, reaching 53% of its total liabilities as that of 2008, and by 60% in 2010 and 63% in 2011. Free Cash-Flows Good job in FCF High FCF in 2009 30% new investment financed by new issuance Without investment plan for new office building in 2010, so a limited annual investment of approx. VND 1.5 bn (USD 80k) is expected. The free cash flow (FCF) will be high in 2009 with the amount of VND 16bn (USD 0.9m) and minus due to investment in 2010 at VND -4.5bn (USD 0.24m). That will recover good status at VND 2.3bn (USD 130k) for 2011. Change in debt will be the same since most of ONE loans are project-based short-term ones. Thanks to its clients, including Electricity of Vietnam Corporation (EVN), Ministry of Public Security, banks and businesses in private sectors, can ensure the on-time payment, ONE can settle its loans upon the completion of its projects. In order to finance the new investment, ONE intends a new share issuance that accounts around 30% of investment, equal to VND 4bn (USD 225k). The estimated price is taken from the average ONE stock price in the recent month, about VND 9,950 (USD 0.56). The medium project time span (of 2 - 3 months at most) offers ONE better control over exchange rates. 2008 was a year of great fluctuation in foreign exchange rates, yet leaving no damage to this company, thanks to its proper approaches to exchange rate control. It is forecasted that, in 2009 - 2011, ONE will be able to manage these changes in foreign exchange rates. Stable Dividend but a half paid in shares Dividend paid 10% in cash, 10% in stock In 2008, ONE dividend currently has a yield of approximately 20%, in which 5% paid in cash and 15% paid in stocks. In 2009, the dividend will be 15% in cash and 10% in stock. With its stable financial status, ONE may ensure an annual dividend rate of 20%-25% per share in both cash and stocks. In considering ONE practice, Jaccar forecasts that ONE dividend will be paid with 10% in cash and 10% paid in stocks in 2010 and 2011. www.jaccar.net 118 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Company Profile Risks Found in 1994, ONE Corporation is a commercial company specializing in telecommunication and information technology. ONE provides equipment & services of consultancy, integration, installation and maintenance. Major products and services of ONE are optical transmission network, access system, PABX/PBX, soft Switch, Call Center/Contact Center and IT network. Mostly sales are on project base, so, the key factors of success are its own technical capacity (with strong supports from the suppliers) and customer relationship. Recently listed in June 2008, ONE would like to get the strong image of transparent finance status that faciliate ONE in relationship with banks and suppliers. Website: www.one.com.vn Internal Key Figures What's Up Geographical breakdown (sales) External • Slowdown of economy and reduce in ICT investment of both public and private sector in 2009-2010 • Serious impacts of world recession to big technology companies, including key suppliers of ONE (Nortel Networks) • Dependant in reputation and commercial conditions of suppliers Company Division breakdown (sales) 5.9% • The company is small, local and private, ONE is not able to attract more qualified or better human resources • Diversification in VoIP, web2.0 or Contact Center outsourcing services while internal resources are incapacity • • On November 10, 2008, 300,000 new shares was listed in Hanoi Stock Exchange • After getting partnership with Juniper, ONE is approaching another top global vender - Avaya for new partnership agreement to replace Nortel • Out of VNPT, ONE starts deals with VTC and EVN Telecom for core network and transmission carrier. 8.4% 8.0% Sector 32.9% T I P S 18.6% 100.0% • Vietnam ICT expenses in 2009 is forecasted about USD 2.3bn • About USD 200mil investment in ground system for working with Vinasat satellite in 2008 • 2009 is expected to have a race of infrastructure expansion of telecommunication service operators. • Contact Center Services is expected to grow at 25% in Asia-Pacific for next 4 years. 26.2% E Q U I T Y Fiber optic for telecommunications Enterprise LAN, WAN Network, transmission (Carrier) and Acce PABX/PBX, Contact Center, related softwa Video Conference and Computer, IT device Vietnam Efficiency profile VND bn In % 14 12,000 12 10 8,000 8 6,000 6 4,000 4 2,000 2 0 0 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e EBIT Op. margin Peers Comparison Profitability profile 14,000 10,000 VND bn In % 80,000 180 75,000 160 70,000 140 65,000 120 60,000 100 55,000 80 50,000 60 45,000 40 40,000 20 35,000 0 Company Afone NEC Network and SI Dimension Data Hld Unisys Median Market Cap 17 382 881 133 EV/Sales 2009e 0.17 0.09 0.17 - EV/Sales 2010e 0.08 0.14 - 0.17 0.11 EV/EBIT EV/EBIT2 PE2009e PE2010e 2009e 010e 11.40 5.23 8.32 3.32 3.32 21.21 6.89 9.66 7.45 8.56 6.39 2.99 1.30 2.99 -20 30,000 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Assets ROCE www.jaccar.net 119 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Sales % of growth Price (%) Volume (%) Organic growth (%) External growth (%) Other income Total Sales Income Statement (VND bn) - - 95 0% 0% 0% 0% 0 95 142 50% -5% 55% 50% 0% 0 142 108 -24% -3% -16% -24% 0% 0 108 119 10% -4% 11% 10% 0% 0 119 127 7% -4% 8% 7% 0% 0 127 139 10% -5% 15% 10% 0% 0 139 Change in inventories COGS Gross Income % of growth - - 0 87 8 - 0 122 20 158% 0 87 21 6% 0 100 19 -11% 0 104 23 20% 0 114 25 10% Other external costs Taxes Personnel costs EBITDA % of growth - - 3 0 4 1 - 1 1 5 13 1,963% 1 1 8 12 -10% 1 0 7 10 -15% 1 1 8 13 30% 2 1 9 14 5% Depreciation Reported provisions Other incomes and charges EBIT % of growth - - 0 0 (0) 0 - 0 0 (1) 12 51,880% 1 0 (1) 11 -11% 1 0 (1) 9 -16% 1 0 (1) 12 30% 1 0 (1) 12 5% Interest income Interest expenses Interest balance Pretax Income % of growth - - 0 3 (3) (3) - 0 2 (2) 10 n/m 0 1 (1) 10 1% 0 0 (0) 9 -10% 2 1 1 13 40% 2 1 1 14 8% Income taxes Tax rate Minority interest Associate income Net income before extraordinary items % of growth - - 0 -12% 0 0 (3) - 2 23% 0 0 8 n/m 3 27% 0 0 7 -5% 2 18% 0 0 7 2% 3 25% 0 0 9 28% 3 25% 0 0 10 8% Extraordinary items Net Income % of growth - - 0 (3) - 0 8 n/m 0 7 -5% 0 7 2% 0 9 28% 0 10 8% Division breakdown / Sales (% of growth) Fiber optic for telecommunications Enterprise LAN, WAN Network, transmission (Carrier) and Acce - - - 471% -45% -36% -90% 69% -48% 24% 15% 102% -25% 7% 6% 7% 5% 9% Geographical breakdown / Sales (% of growth) Vietnam - - - - 142,385% - -24% - 10% - 7% - 10% - 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Net Income Depreciation and amortization Capital gains/losses on asset disposals Others Cash Flow Statement (VND bn) - - (3) 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 7 1 0 0 7 1 0 0 9 1 0 0 10 1 0 0 Cash Flow from Operations - Gross Net change in operating assets & liabs Cash Flow from Operations - Net Gross CAPEX Net CAPEX Money spent on acquisitions Cash received from divestment Net financial investment Dividends paid Dividends received Others FCF - - (3) (2) (1) 0 0 0 0 (0) 0 0 3 (4) 8 (11) 19 0 0 107 86 21 0 0 0 (2) 8 24 (16) 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 (19) 8 (15) 22 2 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 18 10 2 8 14 14 0 0 0 3 0 0 (8) 11 2 9 2 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 4 Increase in shareholder equity Excess Cash Flow - - 4 (1) 14 11 0 (19) 0 18 4 (4) 0 4 Change in long term debt Foreign exchange rate effect Net Increase (Decrease) Cash & Equivs - - (2) 0 (2) (21) 0 (9) (2) 0 (21) 0 0 18 0 0 (4) 0 0 4 www.jaccar.net 120 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Gross tangible fixed assets Accumulated depreciation tangibles Tangible Fixed Assets % of growth Balance Sheet (VND bn) - - 1 0 0 - 1 1 0 -11% 3 1 1 241% 4 1 3 97% 18 3 15 443% 19 3 16 7% Gross intangible fixed assets Accumulated depreciation intangibles Intangible Fixed Assets of which goodwill - - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Long Term Investments % of growth - - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - Construction work in progress Long term deposit Long term prepaid expenses Long term assets Total Financial Fixed Assets % of growth - - 0 3 0 - 0 1 0 - 0 1 0 - 0 1 0 - 0 1 0 - 0 1 0 - Fixed Assets % of growth - - 3 - 1 -69% 2 114% 4 60% 16 338% 17 6% Inventories Trade debtors Prepayments Provisions Other debtors - - 8 14 0 0 6 30 10 0 0 10 8 42 0 0 7 9 30 0 0 8 10 32 0 0 8 11 35 0 0 9 Cash Bank Marketable securities - - 3 0 16 0 4 0 22 0 22 0 24 0 Accruals and deferrals - - 0 0 0 0 0 0 Current Assets % of growth - - 30 - 66 116% 62 -6% 68 11% 72 5% 79 11% Shareholders Equity % of growth Minority interest - - 4 0 25 494% 0 31 24% 0 35 13% 0 46 31% 0 53 15% 0 Discretionary provisions Bonus and welfare funds Training funds Fund for board of management Other funds Provisions - total - - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Debt - long term Debt - short term Debts % of growth - - 0 21 21 - 0 0 0 -100% 0 7 7 13,986% 0 7 7 0% 0 7 7 0% 0 7 7 0% Accounts payable Other current liabilities - - 8 0 42 0 26 0 30 0 31 0 34 0 Accruals and deferrals - - 0 0 0 1 0 1 Total Liabilities - - 34 67 64 72 84 94 Treasury shares Working capital % of growth Tangible Fixed Assets - - 0 19 0 0 8 -59% 0 0 32 308% 1 0 17 -46% 3 0 19 11% 15 0 21 10% 16 Average Capital Employed - - 22 9 34 21 35 38 Off-Balance Sheet Off-balance lease liabilities Off-balance rental liabilities Others Off-balance liabilities - - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e EV/Sales EV/EBITDA EV/EBIT PE PEG Valuation (x) - - - - 0.3 2.6 2.9 3.9 - 0.1 1.5 1.6 4.0 3% 0.2 1.5 1.6 3.6 -10% 0.2 1.8 2.0 4.1 15% P/Book Dividend yield (%) - - - - 0.9 4% 0.8 12% 0.7 8% 0.8 8% www.jaccar.net 121 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Shares outstanding (millions) Number of share fully diluted (millions) Per Share Data (k VND) - - 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 EPS - Basic - Before extras EPS - Basic - After extras EPS - Diluted - Before extras EPS - Diluted - After extras - - (3) (3) (3) (3) 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 Latest price High price Low price Average price - - - - 7.7 22.6 7.5 14.1 12.8 14.1 8.0 12.8 12.8 12.8 12.8 12.8 Dividend per share Book value per share - - 0 4 0 12 1 15 2 15 1 17 1 16 Cash Flow from Oper Per Share - Gross Cash Flow from Oper Per Share - Net - - (3) (1) 4 9 4 (8) 3 10 4 3 3 3 Free Cash Flow Per Share - - (4) (1) (9) 8 (3) 1 Profitability Ratios (%) 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Gross Margin - - 8% 14% 20% 16% 18% 18% EBITDA Margin Operating Margin - - 1% 0% 9% 8% 11% 10% 9% 8% 10% 9% 10% 9% Net Margin - - -3% 5% 7% 6% 7% 7% Division breakdown / Margins EBITDA Margin Fiber optic for telecommunications Enterprise LAN, WAN Network, transmission (Carrier) and Acce - - - - - - - - Operating Margin Fiber optic for telecommunications Enterprise LAN, WAN Network, transmission (Carrier) and Acce - - - - - - - - Net Margin Fiber optic for telecommunications Enterprise LAN, WAN Network, transmission (Carrier) and Acce - - - - - - - - Geographical breakdown / Margins EBITDA Margin Vietnam - - - - - - - - - Operating Margin Vietnam - - - - - - - - - Net Margin Vietnam - - - - - - - - - 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e ROE ROCE Solvability & Efficiency Ratios (%) - - -68% -1% 31% 111% 24% 24% 21% 36% 21% 25% 20% 24% Gearing Equity / Total Assets - - 422% 12% -65% 37% 9% 48% -42% 48% -32% 55% -33% 56% Pay-out Ratio Interest cover - - 0.2 0% 5.4 13% 11.9 47% 21.3 36% 21.6 35% 18.5 Inventories (nb of days) Trade debtors (nb of days) Accounts payable (nb of days) Working capital (nb of days) - - 31.2 51.3 32.0 50.5 76.1 24.2 105.6 (5.3) 28.1 139.4 86.1 81.4 28.1 90.0 90.1 28.0 28.1 90.0 88.0 30.1 28.1 90.0 88.0 30.1 Number of employees (FTE's) Sales / Employee EBIT / Employee Salary / Employee Bonus / Personnel costs - - 60 1,583.9 0.4 61.8 0.0 65 2,192.1 185.4 76.7 0.0 80 1,352.4 134.6 94.3 0.0 75 1,584.2 120.4 97.4 0.0 82 1,544.7 143.5 95.8 0.0 90 1,549.6 136.8 100.7 0.0 www.jaccar.net 122 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Sales % of growth Price (%) Volume (%) Organic growth (%) External growth (%) Other income Total Sales Income Statement (USD m) - - 5.70 0% 0% 0% 0% 0.00 5.70 8.55 50% -5% 55% 50% 0% 0.00 8.55 6.49 -24% -3% -16% -24% 0% 0.00 6.49 7.13 10% -4% 11% 10% 0% 0.00 7.13 7.60 7% -4% 8% 7% 0% 0.00 7.60 8.37 10% -5% 15% 10% 0% 0.00 8.37 Change in inventories COGS Gross Income % of growth - - 0.00 5.23 0.47 - 0.00 7.34 1.21 158% 0.00 5.21 1.28 6% 0.00 5.99 1.14 -11% 0.00 6.23 1.37 20% 0.00 6.86 1.51 10% Other external costs Taxes Personnel costs EBITDA % of growth - - 0.20 0.00 0.22 0.04 - 0.08 0.04 0.30 0.80 1,963% 0.07 0.04 0.45 0.72 -10% 0.06 0.03 0.44 0.61 -15% 0.07 0.03 0.47 0.79 30% 0.09 0.04 0.54 0.83 5% Depreciation Reported provisions Other incomes and charges EBIT % of growth - - 0.02 0.00 (0.02) 0.00 - 0.03 0.00 (0.05) 0.72 51,884% 0.03 0.00 (0.04) 0.65 -11% 0.03 0.00 (0.04) 0.54 -16% 0.05 0.00 (0.04) 0.71 30% 0.05 0.00 (0.04) 0.74 5% Interest income Interest expenses Interest balance Pretax Income % of growth - - 0.01 0.16 (0.15) (0.15) - 0.02 0.15 (0.13) 0.60 n/m 0.02 0.06 (0.04) 0.60 1% 0.03 0.03 (0.00) 0.54 -10% 0.09 0.04 0.05 0.76 40% 0.13 0.04 0.09 0.82 8% Income taxes Tax rate Minority interest Associate income Net income before extraordinary items % of growth - - 0.02 -12% 0.00 0.00 (0.17) - 0.13 23% 0.00 0.00 0.46 n/m 0.16 27% 0.00 0.00 0.44 -5% 0.09 18% 0.00 0.00 0.45 2% 0.19 25% 0.00 0.00 0.57 28% 0.21 25% 0.00 0.00 0.62 8% Extraordinary items Net Income % of growth - - 0.00 (0.17) - 0.00 0.46 n/m 0.00 0.44 -5% 0.00 0.45 2% 0.00 0.57 28% 0.00 0.62 8% Division breakdown / Sales (% of growth) Fiber optic for telecommunications Enterprise LAN, WAN Network, transmission (Carrier) and Acce - - - 471% -45% -36% -90% 69% -48% 24% 15% 102% -25% 7% 6% 7% 5% 9% Geographical breakdown / Sales (% of growth) Vietnam - - - - 142,385% - -24% - 10% - 7% - 10% - 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Net Income Depreciation and amortization Capital gains/losses on asset disposals Others Cash Flow Statement (USD m) - - (0.17) 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.46 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.44 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.45 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.57 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.62 0.05 0.00 0.00 Cash Flow from Operations - Gross Net change in operating assets & liabs Cash Flow from Operations - Net Gross CAPEX Net CAPEX Money spent on acquisitions Cash received from divestment Net financial investment Dividends paid Dividends received Others FCF - - (0.15) (0.09) (0.06) 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 (0.01) 0.00 0.00 0.20 (0.26) 0.49 (0.63) 1.12 0.02 0.02 6.43 5.18 1.24 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.14) 0.47 1.45 (0.98) 0.09 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.06 0.00 0.00 (1.13) 0.48 (0.87) 1.35 0.09 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.21 0.00 0.00 1.05 0.62 0.11 0.51 0.81 0.81 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.16 0.00 0.00 (0.46) 0.67 0.12 0.56 0.09 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.20 0.00 0.00 0.27 Increase in shareholder equity Excess Cash Flow - - 0.22 (0.03) 0.82 0.69 0.00 (1.13) 0.00 1.05 0.24 (0.22) 0.00 0.27 Change in long term debt Foreign exchange rate effect Net Increase (Decrease) Cash & Equivs - - (0.09) 0.00 (0.13) (1.24) 0.00 (0.56) (0.11) 0.00 (1.24) 0.00 0.00 1.05 0.00 0.00 (0.22) 0.00 0.00 0.27 www.jaccar.net 123 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Gross tangible fixed assets Accumulated depreciation tangibles Tangible Fixed Assets % of growth Balance Sheet (USD m) - - 0.06 0.03 0.03 - 0.07 0.05 0.02 -11% 0.16 0.08 0.08 241% 0.25 0.09 0.16 97% 1.06 0.17 0.89 443% 1.15 0.20 0.95 7% Gross intangible fixed assets Accumulated depreciation intangibles Intangible Fixed Assets of which goodwill - - 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Long Term Investments % of growth - - 0.00 - 0.00 - 0.00 - 0.00 - 0.00 - 0.00 - Construction work in progress Long term deposit Long term prepaid expenses Long term assets Total Financial Fixed Assets % of growth - - 0.00 0.17 0.00 - 0.00 0.04 0.00 - 0.00 0.05 0.00 - 0.00 0.05 0.00 - 0.00 0.05 0.00 - 0.00 0.05 0.00 - Fixed Assets % of growth - - 0.20 - 0.06 -69% 0.13 114% 0.22 60% 0.94 338% 1.00 6% Inventories Trade debtors Prepayments Provisions Other debtors - - 0.49 0.81 0.00 0.00 0.33 1.81 0.57 0.00 0.00 0.59 0.51 2.51 0.00 0.00 0.44 0.56 1.78 0.00 0.00 0.48 0.59 1.90 0.00 0.00 0.51 0.65 2.09 0.00 0.00 0.56 Cash Bank Marketable securities - - 0.19 0.00 0.97 0.00 0.24 0.00 1.29 0.00 1.29 0.00 1.44 0.00 Accruals and deferrals - - 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Current Assets % of growth - - 1.83 - 3.94 116% 3.69 -6% 4.11 11% 4.29 5% 4.75 11% Shareholders Equity % of growth Minority interest - - 0.25 0.00 1.49 494% 0.00 1.85 24% 0.00 2.09 13% 0.00 2.74 31% 0.00 3.16 15% 0.00 Discretionary provisions Bonus and welfare funds Training funds Fund for board of management Other funds Provisions - total - - 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Debt - long term Debt - short term Debts % of growth - - 0.00 1.25 1.25 - 0.00 0.00 0.00 -100% 0.00 0.41 0.41 13,985% 0.00 0.41 0.41 0% 0.00 0.41 0.41 0% 0.00 0.41 0.41 0% Accounts payable Other current liabilities - - 0.51 0.00 2.51 0.00 1.55 0.00 1.78 0.00 1.86 0.00 2.04 0.00 Accruals and deferrals - - 0.02 0.00 0.02 0.04 0.01 0.05 Total Liabilities - - 2.03 4.00 3.83 4.32 5.01 5.66 Treasury shares Working capital % of growth Tangible Fixed Assets - - 0.00 1.13 0.03 0.00 0.47 -59% 0.02 0.00 1.90 308% 0.08 0.00 1.03 -46% 0.16 0.00 1.14 11% 0.89 0.00 1.26 10% 0.95 Average Capital Employed - - 1.33 0.53 2.04 1.25 2.09 2.26 Off-Balance Sheet Off-balance lease liabilities Off-balance rental liabilities Others Off-balance liabilities - - 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e EV/Sales EV/EBITDA EV/EBIT PE PEG Valuation (x) - - - - 0.3 2.6 2.9 3.9 - 0.1 1.5 1.6 4.0 3% 0.2 1.5 1.6 3.6 -10% 0.2 1.8 2.0 4.1 15% P/Book Dividend yield (%) - - - - 0.9 4% 0.8 12% 0.7 8% 0.8 8% www.jaccar.net 124 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Shares outstanding (millions) Number of share fully diluted (millions) Per Share Data (USD) - - 1.00 1.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.30 2.30 2.65 2.65 3.31 3.31 3.64 EPS - Basic - Before extras EPS - Basic - After extras EPS - Diluted - Before extras EPS - Diluted - After extras - - (0.17) (0.17) (0.17) (0.17) 0.23 0.23 0.23 0.23 0.22 0.22 0.19 0.19 0.19 0.19 0.17 0.17 0.22 0.22 0.17 0.17 0.19 0.19 0.17 0.17 Latest price High price Low price Average price - - - - 0.5 1.4 0.5 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.5 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 Dividend per share Book value per share - - 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.75 0.03 0.92 0.09 0.91 0.06 1.04 0.06 0.95 Cash Flow from Oper Per Share - Gross Cash Flow from Oper Per Share - Net - - (0.15) (0.06) 0.25 0.56 0.24 (0.49) 0.21 0.59 0.23 0.19 0.20 0.17 Free Cash Flow Per Share - - (0.26) (0.07) (0.56) 0.46 (0.18) 0.08 Profitability Ratios (%) 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e Gross Margin - - 8% 14% 20% 16% 18% 18% EBITDA Margin Operating Margin - - 1% 0% 9% 8% 11% 10% 9% 8% 10% 9% 10% 9% Net Margin - - -3% 5% 7% 6% 7% 7% Division breakdown / Margins EBITDA Margin Fiber optic for telecommunications Enterprise LAN, WAN Network, transmission (Carrier) and Acce - - - - - - - - Operating Margin Fiber optic for telecommunications Enterprise LAN, WAN Network, transmission (Carrier) and Acce - - - - - - - - Net Margin Fiber optic for telecommunications Enterprise LAN, WAN Network, transmission (Carrier) and Acce - - - - - - - - Geographical breakdown / Margins EBITDA Margin Vietnam - - - - - - - - - Operating Margin Vietnam - - - - - - - - - Net Margin Vietnam - - - - - - - - - 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009e 2010e 2011e ROE ROCE Solvability & Efficiency Ratios (%) - - -68% -1% 31% 111% 24% 24% 21% 36% 21% 25% 20% 24% Gearing Equity / Total Assets - - 422% 12% -65% 37% 9% 48% -42% 48% -32% 55% -33% 56% Pay-out Ratio Interest cover - - 0.2 0% 5.4 13% 11.9 47% 21.3 36% 21.6 35% 18.5 Inventories (nb of days) Trade debtors (nb of days) Accounts payable (nb of days) Working capital (nb of days) - - 31.2 51.3 32.0 50.5 76.1 24.2 105.6 (5.3) 28.1 139.4 86.1 81.4 28.1 90.0 90.1 28.0 28.1 90.0 88.0 30.1 28.1 90.0 88.0 30.1 Number of employees (FTE's) Sales / Employee EBIT / Employee Salary / Employee Bonus / Personnel costs - - 60 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 65 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 80 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 75 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 82 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 90 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 www.jaccar.net 125 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Price Performance - FPT Corporation 300,000 250,000 200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 0 Mar-07 BUY Jun-07 Sep-07 ACCUMULATE Dec-07 REDUCE Rating History Date 21. Apr 09 Mar-08 Jun-08 Sep-08 SELL Dec-08 Mar-09 Jun-09 Mar-09 Jun-09 TARGET PRICE Rating BUY Price Performance - One Corporation 24,000 22,000 20,000 18,000 16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 Mar-07 BUY Jun-07 Sep-07 ACCUMULATE Dec-07 REDUCE Rating History Date 21. Apr 09 Mar-08 SELL Jun-08 Sep-08 Dec-08 TARGET PRICE Rating ACCUMULATE Distribution of Ratings Investment Rating Distribution: Global Group BUY ACCUMULATE REDUCE SELL Count 5 5 8 2 Percent 25% 25% 40% 10% Investment Rating Distribution: BUY ACCUMULATE REDUCE SELL Count 1 1 0 0 Percent 50% 50% 0% 0% Analyst Certification I, BARBERY Caroline, NGUYEN Thi Thanh Hoa, certify that all of the views expressed in this research report accurately reflect my personal views about the subject sector(s) and subject company (ies). The compensation of the analyst who prepared this report is determined exclusively by research management and senior management. www.jaccar.net 126 TELECOMMUNICATIONS Important Disclosures This report has been prepared by Jaccar Investment Managers (“JACCAR”). This document is confidential and is intended solely for the information of the person to which it has been delivered. It is not to be reproduced or transmitted, in whole or in part, by any means, to third parties without the written prior consent of JACCAR. Information contained herein is not intended to be a complete statement or summary of the securities, markets or developments referred to in the report. JACCAR does not undertake that investors will obtain profits nor accept any liability for any investment losses. Investments involve risks and investors should exercise prudence in making their investment decisions. 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