Mobile phone providers are seeing an increase in the number of subscribers as they launch discount campaigns to get more market share.

According to its latest report, MobiFone is spearheading the race with 250,000 new subscribers a day, with Viettel running-second with 160,000 a day.

VinaPhone ranks third with 80,000 new subscribers, while the other major providers S-Fone and EVN Telecom have seen an increasing number of newly registered customers during the past week.

The country’s telecoms regulators, however, have been caught by surprise and are examining why such a sudden increase in subscribers has occurred.

Experts say that GSM providers are trying to bolster their standing in the market with the help of marketing and discount campaigns and that telecommunications services are necessary even in a sagging economy.

In addition, high demand during Tet has helped spur the number of new subscribers, they say.

However, many people in the telecoms industry agree that this is only a short-term increase as mobile phone providers are racing against a new government law that becomes effective in January.

The law will not allow big discounts such as “buy one-get three” or a newly registered pre-paid account offered with a 100 per cent bonus.

Instead, the law stipulates that companies must have lower discount rates.

Experts contend that such rapid increases in the number of subscribers cannot be maintained since discounts eventually expire and buyers can seek services elsewhere. (VNS)