4G "brick" phones still sell strongly

From September 16, domestic telecommunications networks will no longer support devices that only use 2G technology. Therefore, to ensure communication, users are required to change their phones from 2G to 4G. In addition to cheap smartphones, 4G push-button phones (also known as "brick phones") are also widely chosen by users. This has led to a "shortage" of this product line in recent times.

PT4G phone
4G push-button phones are still selling well at retail stores. Photo: MK

According to Mr. Tran Duc Tin, Director of Mobile Telecommunications, Mobile World Joint Stock Company, with the 2G shutdown approaching, the demand for 4G push-button phones is very high and the system is still lacking in supply. Last August, the system sold about 500,000 of these phones and it is expected that in September the number of sales will continue to be between 350,000 - 500,000.

Mr. Huy Nguyen, communications representative of the CellphoneS system, said that as the deadline for shutting down 2G waves is approaching, the demand for 4G phones continues to explode and the 4G push-button phone group is still the main choice of customers in the system. In August, sales of this product group increased 5 times compared to before, currently the inventory in the system is only enough for 1 week of sales.

According to Mr. Huy Nguyen, due to the sudden increase in demand, manufacturers and distributors currently do not have enough products to meet people's needs before the 2G signal is turned off on September 16. It is expected that 4G push-button phones will be available in early September and October.

Mr. Nguyen The Kha, Commercial Director of FPT Shop System, also shared that the sales of 4G push-button phones at this system have increased sharply in the past 2 weeks, the number of sales in August increased 7 times compared to July. In addition to the strong increase in 4G keyboard phones, low-cost smartphones (priced at around 2 million) at FPT Shop also recorded a growth of 30-50%. According to Mr. Nguyen The Kha, although it has not increased as much as 4G keyboard phones, there is certainly a lot of potential for growth in this group of low-cost smartphones in the near future.

Will provide enough 4G phones for people to switch

Concerns about people lacking devices when switching from 2G to 4G are being urgently addressed by network operators, retail systems and distributors.

4G support point
A support point for free 2G to 4G phone exchange by Viettel. Photo: CT

Typically, from September 1, Viettel Telecom Corporation will support free 4G conversion for customers using 2G phones. Accordingly, Viettel Telecom will give away 4G push-button phones to customers who cannot afford to upgrade their 2G phones to 4G.

The program is being implemented in 1,700 disadvantaged communes. The recipients of the devices are poor and near-poor households with confirmation from the government, creating conditions for them to switch to 4G without interruption of communication on September 16.

To receive free 4G devices, eligible customers must bring their valid ID card or citizen identification card along with a certificate of poor/near-poor household to the nearest Viettel store for support.

Following the roadmap of the Ministry of Information and Communications, from the beginning of 2024 until now, Viettel said it has supported the conversion of more than 8 million 4G devices nationwide. In August alone, more than 3 million 2G devices were successfully converted to 4G. In addition to 10,000 mobile device exchange points located in densely populated areas, down to each village, Viettel also cooperates with chain stores such as The Gioi Di Dong, Dien May Xanh to support customers in the most convenient way.

With the implementation of the programs, Viettel has reduced the number of 2G subscribers from about 10 million to less than 2% of total Viettel subscribers nationwide. The goal is to ensure that 100% of customers maintain communication by September 15.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Hoang, General Director of HMD Global Indochina, also informed that in order to meet the people's need to convert their phones from 2G to 4G, in the near future, HMD will bring 1 million Nokia 4G push-button phones to Vietnam. However, due to the delay in shipping, some of the goods will arrive after the signal shutdown on September 16, specifically, the goods will start arriving from September 18-28.

According to Mr. Tran Duc Tin, with Viettel providing millions of 4G devices to support customers, and companies like HMD also importing goods to Vietnam, there will be no shortage of devices when people switch to 4G phones on September 16.

"The arrival of goods may be a little delayed, but there will be no shortage of 4G phones for people when 2G is turned off," said Mr. Tran Duc Tin.