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Mobile network operators have made great efforts to convert 2G Only subscribers. Photo: TK

On September 13, sharing at the regular September press conference of the Ministry of Information and Communications chaired by Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Lam, Mr. Nguyen Phong Nha, Deputy Director of the Department of Telecommunications, said that currently, mobile network operators have made every effort to convert 2G Only subscribers.

As of September 8, network operators had about 3.4 million 2G Only subscribers. It can be seen that since May 2024, the number of 2G Only subscribers on the network has decreased very rapidly.

This is a very remarkable result, demonstrating the strong direction of the Ministry of Information and Communications and the seriousness of mobile businesses in implementing the plan to stop 2G technology according to Circular No. 03 and Circular No. 04 on frequency band planning.

Currently, in the "sprint" phase, network operators have been implementing solutions to convert the remaining 2G Only subscribers on the network. Accordingly, network operators have supported the cost of 4G Only phones combined with conversion packages, and supported up to 100% of the cost of 4G phones.

All network operators are preparing a number of 4G phones to support the replacement of phones (100% cost support) for their 2G Only subscribers. Some mobile companies have a policy of supporting giving away phones without registering for a package for poor households, near-poor households, subscribers in remote, isolated and disadvantaged areas to switch to 4G phones.

According to the Telecommunications Department, in addition to communicating on mass media, network operators are promoting direct communication to customers, while increasing communication frequency, through the following forms: calling, SMS messaging, notification of call waiting music, playing IVR with calls, Call Bot about the business's conversion support programs and instructing customers to change phones.

Network operators carry out communication through the grassroots communication system (commune and ward loudspeakers) to provide information to each customer.

To effectively deploy to people in rural, remote and isolated areas, some mobile businesses also carry out conversion campaigns in all communes/wards, mobilizing all employees in the province/city to contact 2G customers at each subscriber's home.

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Network operators will support free 4G phones for customers. Photo: TK

Although state management agencies and enterprises have deployed widespread communication campaigns on mass media, and enterprises have communicated directly to customers, according to mobile enterprises, there are still a number of users who are reluctant to switch terminal devices, making it difficult for network operators to organize support for the conversion to ensure the rights of users.

For these subscribers, it is necessary to continue to increase direct communication to make the transition to 4G phones to ensure continued use of the service after September 16.

In fact, in recent days, Typhoon Yagi has made landfall in Vietnam, directly affecting many northern provinces. Typhoon Yagi has been causing unprecedented consequences and heavy losses to people, seriously damaging technical infrastructure works, including telecommunications works, in many northern localities.

Landslides and floods after storms continue to rage, not only disrupting and greatly affecting people's lives but also causing difficulties in travel and traffic.

During this time, mobile businesses also devoted resources to overcoming the consequences of natural disasters and restoring telecommunications systems to ensure people's communication.

In addition, among the 2G Only subscribers who have not yet converted include vulnerable groups, subscribers from poor households, subscribers in hard-to-reach areas such as remote, mountainous areas and a relatively large proportion of 2G Only subscribers located in areas affected by storms and floods, making it difficult to contact and directly contact customers to make the conversion.

Also sharing at the regular September press conference of the Ministry of Information and Communications, Deputy Director of the Telecommunications Department Nguyen Phong Nha said that, with the recommendations of businesses and the actual situation, the Telecommunications Department is consulting and proposing to the leaders of the Ministry of Information and Communications to allow a partial suspension of the implementation of Circulars 03 and 04 on frequency band planning.

Specifically, adjusting the 2G shutdown time so that network operators have more time to both devote resources to overcoming the consequences of storm No. 3 and the flood situation after the storm, and support the conversion of 4G phones for 2G Only subscribers, especially subscribers in remote areas and provinces and cities affected by the storm.

Responding to the press's concerns regarding the 2G shutdown, Mr. Nguyen Phong Nha said: Currently, the advisory units of the Ministry of Information and Communications are submitting the decision to the Ministry's leaders, so the specific adjustment time has not been announced. The Ministry of Information and Communications will soon announce it so that people can get the information.

“In addition, the characteristic of stopping 2G technology is that the 2G network infrastructure will continue to broadcast for the next 2 years to maintain IoT services; the 2G network will be used for 4G subscribers who do not have Voice Over LTE feature, so the method of turning off 2G waves will be slightly different from stopping analog in the television sector. Telecommunications businesses have customer care and technical support teams in 63 provinces and cities down to each district and commune. Each business will have a plan to ensure consumer rights. Stopping 2G will ensure that users have the best service quality,” Mr. Nguyen Phong Nha added.