Viettel, Vietnam’s largest mobile operator by subscribers, plans to launch a pilot 4G LTE network in rural parts of the country next month. Under the military-run operator’s plans, around 12,000 4G base transceiver stations (BTS) will be installed by the end of Q1 2016. LTE services will initially be available in rural communes, followed by districts, provinces and cities. The report adds that Le Dang Dung, Viettel Group’s deputy head, has applied to the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) for a 4G licence, which is expected to be officially awarded in early 2016.