Vietnam telco MobiFone says it will focus on expanding its retail presence in the coming year as it competes for market share.

MobiFone Vietnam is one of three key mobile phone networks fiercely competing for a share of the nation’s burgeoning telecommunications business.

In recent years rivals Viettel and VinaPhone have all stepped up their retail presence, but MobiFone has less profile at storefront level.

Speaking at a shareholders meeting last week, MobiFone Vietnam general director Cao Duy Hai said the company will focus on its businesses in telecom, television, retail and multimedia in the 2015-20 period.

He said the company planned “a large distribution channel” to increase MobiFone’s market share. Local commentators suggest this may include partnerships with mobile phone brands such as Samsung, Apple, Oppo and Huawei, all strong players in Vietnam.

Viettel has stores in many cities and provinces throughout the country and VinaPhone has co-operated with Apple, among others, to distribute its products. But MobiFone tends to rely on trade through independent stores who can connect customers to any of the networks.

MobiFone is 100 per cent Government owned and also has businesses in construction, minerals, broadcasting and multimedia.