Support people to switch to 4G phones

Active communication

According to the roadmap for stopping 2G mobile technology in Vietnam announced by the Ministry of Information and Communications, from September 16, mobile services will not be provided to subscriber terminals that only support 2G, except in the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos and the DK platform. From that point on, phones that only support 2G technology will not be able to make or receive calls. To continue using the service after this point, phone users need to switch to higher-tech devices.

To disseminate the above information to people in Soc Trang province, the Department of Information and Communications of the province has requested media agencies and telecommunications enterprises to proactively propagate to users of 2G Only phones to grasp the policy and plan to stop 2G technology and convert 2G phones to 4G phones. At the same time, build mechanisms and policies to support people using the unit's mobile services to convert their phones.

VinaPhone Soc Trang staff instruct people to convert 2G phones to 4G phones. Photo: HAI HA

For VinaPhone Soc Trang, from the beginning of 2024, the network has informed subscribers to upgrade to 4G via text messages and calls from the customer care center. Customers can also easily access and find information on the website, customer care center or Facebook page, Zalo, stores, transaction points of VNPT VinaPhone or post offices in Soc Trang province.

Mr. Ngo Hoang Thai - Deputy Director of VNPT Soc Trang, Director of VNPT - Soc Trang Business Center said that for people in remote areas, VinaPhone sends staff "to every alley, knock on every door" to disseminate information about the program, support people and customers to switch, avoid communication interruption when 2G waves stop serving. VNPT VinaPhone Soc Trang also cooperates with the youth union, community digital technology team and related units to propagate to people. During the peak period before September 16, 2024, VNPT VinaPhone increases support through the switchboard 18001091 and makes proactive calls to each 2G subscriber. Any difficulties or problems of customers in the process of switching to 4G phones will be promptly consulted and supported by the network operator.

From June 2023 to now, Viettel Soc Trang has also deployed many forms of propaganda on television, radio and loudspeakers to every alley to help people understand the policy and roadmap for stopping 2G service provision so that people can prepare to switch before September 15, 2024. In addition, Viettel Soc Trang also communicates throughout the unit's Facebook page and Zalo social network. Therefore, this program has been understood by many people so that they can quickly upgrade their mobile phones.

Many incentives when upgrading equipment

Currently, telecommunications enterprises in the province are actively implementing solutions to support users in switching subscribers. In particular, subsidizing smartphone prices for subscribers using 2G Only devices. Mr. Ngo Hoang Thai said that VinaPhone still has about 10,000 customers using 2G waves who have not used 4G mobile devices. To serve customers upgrading their phones, VinaPhone has designed attractive packages that come with free 4G mobile phones for 0 VND for customers. We also provide basic 4G phones (Feature Phone) with a maximum support price of 50% so that customers who only need to use basic services on the 4G network (calling, texting) can easily use the phone, ensuring smooth communication. To enhance the digital experience for customers, VinaPhone also offers an additional Electronic Digital Signature service (VNPT SmartCA) for use in online transactions such as personal transaction declaration, mobile banking transactions... At the same time, it implements cooperation programs with chain stores such as: Mobile World, Dien May Xanh... to support customers.

People come to Viettel Soc Trang to upgrade their mobile phones. Photo: HAI HA

For Viettel Soc Trang, this network operator aims to convert 100% of people using 2G devices to 4G devices from now until September 15, 2024, using a part of the 4G device source provided by Viettel and mostly from the amount of 4G devices available on the market. According to Mr. Tran Van Binh - Director of Viettel Soc Trang, Viettel Soc Trang has implemented many incentive programs for people when switching from 2G devices to 4G devices. Viettel Soc Trang has also worked with agents and points of sale to import more affordable 4G devices to serve people, and at the same time, guide people to go to communes and wards near their place of residence to change devices. For smartphones, Viettel reduces the price of the device by 0 VND when buying with a usage package of 6 months or more; reduces the equivalent of 50% of the device price when customers buy the device without a package, applicable to Samsung Galaxy A05 and ZTE Blade A33 devices. For basic phones, the network also has a general policy for customers at the beginning of the period, reducing the price of the phone by 0 VND when buying with a package for use over 6 months with prices starting from only 350,000 VND.

Ready for 5G

According to the leader of Viettel Soc Trang, the network operator has launched 5G broadcasting so that people can experience it for free from 2022 in areas such as: Provincial Party Committee, Provincial People's Committee, Viettel building area, Soc Trang Radio and Television Station, Vincom supermarket area... In 2024, Viettel Soc Trang will deploy 5G coverage in all 100% of district, town, city centers and some important areas with 36 5G stations. It is expected that in 2025, Viettel Soc Trang will have seamless 5G coverage on main roads in the province, and then will cover 5G widely throughout the province.

In recent times, VNPT VinaPhone Soc Trang has also proactively invested in expanding and supplementing mobile network infrastructure to increase 4G and 5G coverage to meet the conversion of 2G devices to 4G. Mr. Ngo Hoang Thai said that in the coming time, VNPT VinaPhone Soc Trang will deploy phase 1 5G coverage to the centers of districts, towns and townships across the province to serve the needs of people and local authorities.

It can be seen that network operators in the province have prepared to turn off 2G waves. This is also an important turning point in developing telecommunications infrastructure with many utilities, contributing to accelerating the digital transformation process in the province.

HAI HA

Source: https://www.baosoctrang.org.vn/chuyen-doi-so/ho-tro-nguoi-dan-chuyen-doi-sang-dien-thoai-4g-75323.html