Abstract
Recent research has shown that mobile phones can have a large impact in reducing digital divides and increasing economic growth in developing countries. It has be argued that the degree of liberalisation and open competition has been critical in the spread of mobile phones both in developed and developing countries, and that this will also be the most important factor for mobile phones to benefit poor and disadvantaged people.
I chose to study the effect of mobile phones on digital divides, and the impact of liberalisation in Vietnam, a country which has very limited competition in the mobile telecommunication market, and no foreign competition. However the country is under pressure to open the market to international investment, and is planning to do so in the near future. In Vietnam I interviewed private users and small companies about their usage of mobile phones, and the main mobile operators and government representatives about their view on digital divide issues and plans for liberalisation.