Vietnam on track to turn off 2G service, develop 5G: Official
Vietnam is on track to turn off 2G mobile signals and develop the 5G network, said Nguyen Phong Nha, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority under the Ministry of Information and Communications.
At the regular press briefing of the the Ministry of Information and Communications on May 13. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is on track to turn off 2G mobile sigཧnals and develop the 5G network, said Nguyen Phong Nha, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority under the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Speaking at the ministry’s regular press briefing on May 13, Nha said that the ministry officially licenced the deployment of 5G service on April 11, 2024. Two telecommunication service providers - Viettel and VNPT - have got business licences and permissions to use the 5G band.
To officially provide the service nationwide, the service providers must invest in 5G telecommunications network infrastructure.
They have recently tested 5G on a large scale in provinces and cities across the country. They are carrying out bidding procedures and investing in equipment to deploy commercial 5G service, Nha said.
He noted that the two service providers committed to deploying a telecommunications network and providing the service no later than one year after receiving the licences and investing in 3,000 stations in two years after being licenced.
Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam (centre) chairs the press briefing on May 13. (Photo: VNA)
As planned, the 5G service will be launched first in urban areas of districts in provinces and cities, then expanded to the remaining areas.
In addition, the 5G service will target industrial parks and smart factories depending on the market demand for 5G's special features such as low latency and high density.
Meanwhile, actions have been taken to speed up the turning off of 2G service, Nha said.
Ministries, agencies and telecommunication service providers have been stepping up communications to call on 2G subscribers to switch to using mobile phones with higher technology.
Localities are suggested to mobilise social resources and local budgets to support people to access smartphones, especially those from poor and near-poor households.
According to reports of telecommunication service providers, the number of 2G subscribers can be reduced to 0 or about 5% of the total number of mobile subscribers on the market by September this year, Nha said.
As of September 2023, Vietnam had 15 million 2G subscribers. In March this year, the telecommunications authority asked network operators to stop subscriptions of new 2G‑only phones./.
The Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) has devised a roadmap to shut down 2G signals and provide optimal conversion support, preparing for its upcoming cessation of the old technology in September.
Vietnam will begin blocking signals for non-compliant 2G mobile phones as part of its broader plan to fully phase out the 2G service this year, according to the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority (VTA) under the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC).
The course aims to promote knowledge exchange between scientific and educational schools from different countries, while deepening participants’ expertise in modern technology and technical education. It comprises two main specialisations of electronics-automation and nuclear technology.
ANTARA and VNA can design global-scale cooperation programmes or joint media campaigns, demonstrating the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the cooperation between the two national news agencies.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
