Turning off 2G and switching to 4G is an inevitable trend.

On September 16, telecommunications networks will stop serving subscribers using 2G Only phones. According to representatives of smartphone companies Honor, Vivo and Xiaomi, this is an inevitable trend, and at the same time, this brings many benefits to users.

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Turning off 2G is an inevitable trend and an opportunity for low-cost smartphones. Photo: Anh Tu

Mr. Le Hong Phong, Sales Director of Honor Vietnam, said that the upcoming shutdown of 2G is an inevitable trend in the digital transformation era. Phone products using 2G technology have become outdated and cause many inconveniences, such as slow connection speed, not supporting modern applications and consuming a lot of energy. The transition to 4G is necessary for both the people and the government to ensure convenience and efficiency in using technology.

Sharing the same view, Vivo Vietnam representative also highly appreciated and believed that the upcoming discontinuation of 2G technology will bring many benefits to users. The company will actively coordinate with retail chains to anticipate and support users to convert their phones from 2G to 4G before September 16.

Meanwhile, Mr. Patrick Chou, General Director of Xiaomi Vietnam, highly appreciated the Vietnamese Government's decision to stop 2G technology and switch to 4G, in an effort to promote telecommunications technology and improve user experience.

Will launch many popular smartphone lines, no worries about device shortage

According to Mr. Le Hong Phong, to meet the needs of customers switching from 2G phones to 4G in the near future, the company plans to launch smartphone product lines in the 2 - 4 million VND segment. Typically, this August, the company will launch the Honor X6b smartphone. This is a product with many outstanding features, high durability and a very preferential price.

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Honor Vietnam will launch many new smartphone models so that people will not lack devices when switching to 4G. Photo: Anh Tu

Faced with concerns about a shortage of devices as users switch from 2G to 4G phones, Mr. Le Hong Phong said that Honor Vietnam has ensured a rich and diverse supply of products, including many new smartphone product lines that will be launched soon.

At the same time, to support consumers in switching to 4G, Honor Vietnam has cooperated with retailers such as: The Gioi Di Dong, FPT Shop, Viettel Store, Hoang Ha Mobile to implement old-for-new subsidy programs with a value of up to 500,000 VND for each 2G device upgraded to 4G, unlimited quantity and 4G SIM promotion for all products in the segment under 5 million VND.

Mr. Patrick Chou also shared that in the coming time, Xiaomi will continue to focus on the popular and mid-range 4G smartphone segments to serve the needs of upgrading devices of Vietnamese users when 2G is turned off. The company will cooperate with retailers to continue to launch many smartphone product lines, especially in the popular segment with special promotional programs, helping users easily access and use new technology.

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Smartphones in the under 5 million VND segment will grow strongly when 2G waves are turned off in the near future. Photo: Anh Tu

Meanwhile, a representative of Vivo Vietnam analyzed that there are currently about 10 million active 2G subscribers on the market, and the 4G feature phone line has also seen significant growth. This could be an opportunity for growth in the smartphone market segment under 5 million VND (currently accounting for 60% of the market).

With the upcoming shutdown of 2G waves, the rate of users switching from 2G Only phones to smartphones is expected to reach 10-15%, equivalent to about 1-1.5 million devices. This will double the segment of mobile phones under 5 million VND, creating growth momentum for the Vietnamese smartphone market by the end of 2024.

To support users in converting their phones from 2G to 4G, vivo is also collaborating with domestic retailers to launch programs such as trade-in for new phones. Customers who exchange their 2G phones for any smartphone under 5 million VND will immediately receive a 4G SIM from Viettel, VinaPhone, MobiFone to experience TikTok, Facebook, YouTube applications completely free of charge, along with an additional 1GB of data per day. With flexible financial solutions, the company offers a 0% installment program, 10% down payment (Vivo is also negotiating with installment partners to support additional 0% installment policies, 0 VND down payment). Additional support for shopping vouchers, discounts according to product lines...

Vivo also commits to working with retail chains and carriers to support users in the transition from 2G to 4G.

At the seminar "What do people need to prepare when 2G is turned off?" organized by VietNamNet newspaper in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications on July 18, Mr. Vu Thanh Trung, Product Director of Oppo Vietnam, informed that in the coming time, the company will focus on the group of people switching from 2G phones to 4G/5G smartphones by launching many smartphones under 5 million VND with high standards and reasonable prices to suit the group of people using 2G feature phones in rural areas, people with low income.

These smartphones are durable, have large batteries and are equipped with fast charging. These factors will attract people who are using 2G feature phones and switch to smartphones.