Today, as all services — from e-government and e-commerce to artificial intelligence — increasingly rely on data, backbone fiber optic transmission infrastructure has become a vital element for every nation and enterprise. In particular, for Vietnam — strategically located at the heart of Southeast Asia — investing in backbone fiber optic networks is not only essential to meet domestic demand but also presents a significant opportunity to become a regional data transit hub. However, this is a long-term investment field that requires meticulous planning to optimize costs, enhance operational efficiency, and fully capitalize on commercial value.
The fiber optic backbone can be envisioned as the "spine" of the entire telecommunications network. It interconnects major urban centers, data centers, industrial zones, and international gateways — functioning like a high-speed data highway. The cost of building such a backbone is substantial, encompassing expenses for surveys, underground or aerial infrastructure construction, transmission equipment, legal permits, and decades of operation and maintenance.
One of the key solutions to optimize backbone investment lies in expanding international partnerships from the network design stage. DCH Group, with a vision to become one of Vietnam’s leading providers of telecommunications infrastructure and data centers, is proactively strengthening cooperation with global partners — including international carriers, technology conglomerates, and submarine cable operators. Such collaboration not only helps share investment costs but also opens up opportunities for cross-border connectivity, offering Vietnam a strategic advantage on the global data map.
Specifically, DCH Telecom, a subsidiary of DCH Group, is planning to develop a North–South transmission backbone, integrated with international connectivity routes via the Moc Bai and Lao Cai border gates, and submarine cable landing points in Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau. These routes will play a critical role in transiting data traffic from neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and even China, unlocking major commercial potential as Vietnam positions itself as the region’s digital gateway to the world.
Beyond infrastructure investment, DCH Telecom is committed to maximizing the economic value of its transmission system through diverse and scalable business models. One strategic approach is the IRU (Indefeasible Right of Use) leasing model, offered to select clients such as telecom operators, tech giants, financial institutions, and global OTTs. Under this model, clients lease long-term (10–20 years) usage rights for specific bandwidth capacity, ensuring predictable revenue streams and accelerating return on investment. In addition, DCH Telecom provides dark fiber services, allowing partners to lease unused fiber strands for their own transmission equipment, along with fully managed transmission services tailored to specific needs.
To further control infrastructure costs, DCH Telecom adopts a phased investment model, building the backbone network with an open and scalable architecture that supports future expansions without the need for dismantling or costly upgrades. The company also actively leverages existing infrastructure from strategic sectors such as electricity, transport, railways, and cable television providers, enabling cooperative fiber deployment along shared routes and significantly reducing capital expenditure. Moreover, the use of DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) technology in the transmission system boosts bandwidth capacity to hundreds of Tbps, eliminating the need for additional fiber and maximizing the value of each kilometer deployed.
A standout feature in DCH’s approach is its strategy to directly interconnect with AI data centers, cloud infrastructure clusters, and Internet Exchange Points (IXPs). This direct connectivity minimizes latency, enhances service quality, and opens up broader customer acquisition channels — including digital platforms, fintech companies, banks, and even e-government services. When transmission infrastructure is designed as a core component of a comprehensive digital ecosystem, investment costs are no longer mere “expenses” — they become revenue-generating digital assets with long-term strategic value.
Clearly, in the context of global competition and ever-growing demand for bandwidth, the challenge of investing in backbone fiber infrastructure is no longer a solo endeavor for individual companies. Instead, it requires strategic vision, international collaboration, and a modern business mindset. With a clear direction, proactive global partnerships, and flexible business models, DCH Group — and DCH Telecom in particular — is demonstrating a viable and effective roadmap to transform transmission infrastructure into a solid foundation for Vietnam’s sustainable digital economy in the decades to come.
