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Viettel has analyzed the behavior of customers using 2G phones such as the elderly, workers, traders... to come up with appropriate support policies. Photo: VT

In just over 2 months, network operators will have to turn off 2G waves according to the given roadmap. However, up to this point, the number of 2G subscribers is still relatively large. According to network operators' statistics, there are still more than ten million 2G subscribers. Thus, in just over 2 months, network operators will have to race against time to help customers switch from 2G to 4G and 5G.

A question arises at this time, if the network operator does not transfer all 2G subscribers to 4G and 5G according to the roadmap set by the Ministry of Information and Communications, how will it be handled? Responding to this issue, the Department of Telecommunications said that, based on Circular No. 03/2024/TT-BTTTT and Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BTTTT on planning the 900MHz/1800MHz bands, the Ministry of Information and Communications will not re-license the use of the 900MHz/1800MHz bands if the enterprise does not have a plan to ensure that there are no more subscribers using terminals that only support the 2G only standard operating on the network from September 16, 2024. Therefore, it is recommended that mobile businesses resolutely deploy communication solutions and support conversion to ensure the rights of the above subscribers, if they want to continue to re-allocate the 900MHz/1800MHz bands.

Director of the Telecommunications Department Nguyen Thanh Phuc affirmed that the Ministry of Information and Communications will strictly implement this issue to force network operators to come up with measures and policies to promote 2G subscribers to 4G and 5G.

Ms. Vu Thu Hien, Head of the Frequency Policy and Planning Department (Radio Frequency Department, Ministry of Information and Communications) said that by September 2024, the Ministry of Information and Communications aims to have no more 2G-only subscribers on the mobile network. However, for early 3G and 4G smartphone subscribers who have not yet integrated the VoLTE feature, phone models that are required to make voice calls via the 2G and 3G platforms can still continue to be used until September 2026. During the period from September 2024 to September 2026, the 2G network system will still be maintained but no new subscribers will be developed. During these 2 years, the 2G network system will only be used to provide voice services to 3G and 4G subscribers without the VoLTE feature. This is a soft transition, helping mobile subscribers have appropriate transition time, ensuring reasonable system maintenance. This is the premise for there to be no more 2G system on the network by 2026.

Sharing about solutions to support subscribers in switching to 4G technology phones, the Department of Telecommunications said that currently, network operators have provided financial support for purchasing smartphones, encouraging customers to switch to smartphones to increase data revenue, achieve the goal of popularizing smartphones, and promote national digital transformation.

From March 1, 2024, network operators have agreed to implement a plan to prevent 2G-only phones from entering the network that are not certified to comply with regulations. Enterprises have strictly implemented this plan, and preventing 2G-only phones from entering the network has contributed to reducing the number of 2G-only subscribers in April and May.

The Telecommunications Department said that when shutting down 2G waves, network operators must report the current status and propose solutions, especially solutions for sea and island areas, to ensure smooth communication.

Sharing about the roadmap for turning off 2G waves, Mr. Nguyen Trong Tinh, Deputy General Director of Viettel Telecom, said that in the past time, Viettel has turned off 2G coverage stations in places where less than 5% of customers are using them. In addition, Viettel has analyzed the behavior of customers using 2G phones such as the elderly, workers, traders, etc. to come up with appropriate policies, such as a 50% discount for customers buying terminals and 100% free 4G "brick" phones for poor households.

Mr. Thiem Cong Nguyen, Deputy General Director of MobiFone, shared that in the past time, MobiFone has turned off 10,000 2G stations, accounting for about 40% of the network's stations. MobiFone will continue to turn off 2G waves focusing on areas with few subscribers and by the end of 2025, all 2G stations will be turned off.

According to a representative of Vietnamobile, this network currently has about 100,000 2G subscribers and is planning to gradually turn off 2G waves by September 2024. A representative of Gtel Mobile also said that this network does not have 2G subscribers on the network, so it is not affected by the 2G wave shutdown schedule.