Network operators rush to convert 2G subscribers before 'G hour'

DNVN - Up to now, there are only nearly 600,000 2G subscribers who have not yet converted. Telecommunications companies are still urgently mobilizing and propagating for people to switch to 4G, promoting the process of turning off 2G waves according to the general policy.

There are still nearly 600,000 2G subscribers that have not yet converted.

Speaking at the discussion "Turn off 2G before G hour" organized by the Department of Telecommunications in coordination with VietNamNet newspaper and the Information Center on October 11, representatives of telecommunications enterprises shared that currently in the "sprint" stage, enterprises are implementing many solutions to convert the remaining 2G Only subscribers to move towards the goal of turning off 2G waves on October 15, 2024.

In addition to mass media communication, network operators have stepped up direct communication to customers, while increasing communication frequency through many forms. Up to this point, there are only nearly 600,000 2G Only subscribers left, this is a great effort by the Ministry of Information and Communications, localities and network operators to promote the process of turning off 2G waves.

Mr. Nguyen Phong Nha, Deputy Director of the Department of Telecommunications (Ministry of Information and Communications) chaired the discussion.

The network has implemented financial support for 4G Only phones combined with conversion packages, and at the same time supported up to 100% of the cost of 4G phones. Some mobile businesses have policies to support giving away phones without registering for packages for poor households, near-poor households, subscribers in remote, isolated, and disadvantaged areas to convert to 4G phones.

According to Mr. Nguyen Trong Tinh, Deputy General Director of Viettel Telecom, by October 10, there will be only 360,000 2G Only subscribers on Viettel's network. It is expected that by October 15, Viettel will have less than 100,000 2G subscribers, including 2G subscribers in the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa islands and DK1 Platform. Recently, almost all subjects have been supported with 100% of the devices by Viettel according to Viettel's policy.

"We also have to go directly to the customers to help them convert. With these results, although we have not yet achieved the set goal of reducing 2G Only subscribers to 0, if we achieve less than 100,000 2G Only subscribers by October 15, we will consider that we have achieved the goal and are satisfied with this result," said Mr. Tinh.

According to Mr. Do Manh Dung, Acting Director of the Personal Customer Department of VNPT VinaPhone, by the morning of October 11, there were about 150,000 2G Only subscribers on the entire VNPT network. In the past time, VNPT has made great efforts to implement the direction of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Information and Communications. It is expected that in the next 4 days, VNPT will continue to mobilize all employees nationwide to support the conversion of devices for customers, including in remote areas, and will arrange personnel to serve directly. With the goal of having less than 100,000 2G subscribers by October 15.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Dung, Deputy Head of MobiFone Telecommunications Services Department, said that as of October 11, MobiFone still had 47,919 2G Only subscribers.

"The number is very small. If calculated based on the criteria of not using 2G devices for 30 days, ARPU under 5,000 VND, then there are only about 20,000 subscribers left. With such progress, after 1 more week, the number of MobiFone 2G Only subscribers will only be about 10,000", Mr. Dung said.

Meanwhile, small carriers like Vietnamobile also shared that there are currently about 17,000 2G subscribers, ASIM has nearly 5,000 subscribers using Feature Phones, VNSKY has only a few thousand, and Mobicast has only 423 2G subscribers.

Need to ensure user rights

Sharing at the seminar, Mr. Nguyen Phong Nha, Deputy Director of the Department of Telecommunications (Ministry of Information and Communications) assessed the number of 600,000 subscribers as an impressive result, a great effort and determination of businesses when looking back at January 2024, the whole network had more than 18 million 2G subscribers.

"This is a great effort as we maintain network quality, develop 5G network as well as maintain production and business. Enterprises have shown their responsibility in reducing the number of 2G subscribers. In addition to the efforts of enterprises, there is also the participation of media agencies, newspapers, and television to accompany the communication of the policies of the Ministry of Information and Communications," said Mr. Nha.

The seminar was attended by most telecommunications businesses.

With the remaining 600,000 subscribers, according to regulations, after October 15, the provision of two-way calling services for these subscribers will have to be stopped. However, Mr. Nha suggested that telecommunications enterprises need to continue analyzing subscriber user behavior to ensure the best interests of users. Network operators have used many forms of communication (OTT messages, SMS...) but need to create new forms: such as counting down the time when 2G subscribers are no longer in use, increasing the number of people meeting customers to ensure users are fully informed..., thereby demonstrating the network operators' responsibility for consumer interests.

"For many reasons, there may be users who have not yet received the information or have not had the opportunity to change their devices with the network operator. In the next 4 days, we will step up communication, and request that media agencies work with state agencies and telecommunications businesses to communicate to users. For subscribers who stop providing services after October 15, I request that network operators continue to have appropriate customer care policies to switch to 4G terminals, ensuring consumer rights," the Deputy Director of the Department of Telecommunications emphasized.

According to the Telecommunications Department, the process of stopping 2G technology is divided into two phases: Phase 1 from October 15, 2024, the provision of 2G subscriber terminal services will stop. By September 2026, the provision of the entire 2G network will stop to reserve resources for newer networks such as 4G, 5G. In terms of frequency resource use, it will be more efficient.

2G technology has been used for 30 years, many network devices have degraded quality, consume more power, and are unstable, so replacement is inevitable when new technology is ready. This is the consensus and practical requirement of production and business. For users, push-button phones are only used in certain cases (elderly and children). In the current environment, smartphones are more convenient for transactions and administration.

Duc Hiep

Source: https://doanhnghiepvn.vn/kinh-te/nha-mang-gap-rut-chuyen-doi-thue-bao-2g-truoc-gio-g/20241012061004437