'If 2G is turned off, network operators will have to compensate people with 3G and 4G'

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said that after turning off 2G waves, network operators must be responsible for "compensating" people with 3G and 4G devices.

On the morning of November 12, the National Assembly questioned the Minister of Information and Communications. Many delegates were concerned about the shutdown of 2G waves and the impact of this policy on the people.

Delegate Pham Thi Kieu, Dak Nong delegation

PHOTO: GIA HAN

"Compensate" for people when 2G signal is turned off

Delegate Pham Thi Kieu (Dak Nong delegation) said she highly appreciated the measures that the authorities and network operators have taken in recent times, so that "no people or customers are left behind after the 2G signal is turned off".

However, the quality of telecommunications is still limited, especially in remote areas and ethnic minority areas. Many areas still do not have access to telecommunications services.

"The Minister said the short-term plan and long-term strategy on this issue," Ms. Kieu questioned.

Responding to delegates, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said that when 2G is turned off, there are two issues that need to be resolved. Among them, "people are using 2G, so who will give them 3G, 4G, 5G devices?".

According to Mr. Hung, the Ministry of Information and Communications has directed network operators to "compensate" people, meaning "bring new technology devices to people", to replace the 2G devices that have turned off the signal.

Minister Hung added that in many countries, when the old 2G technology has a user rate of less than 2%, they will decide to stop. Network operators will have to support new technology devices for the above 2% of the population.

In Vietnam, 2G technology has been around for 34 years, with some locations installing up to 4 devices (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G) at the same time. Thanks to early announcement and good communication, by the time the 2G wave was decided to stop, only 0.2% of the population in Vietnam was still using 2G, equivalent to more than 200,000 devices.

"That's why network operators are "very gentle" in compensating people for lost devices," said Mr. Hung.

Regarding concerns about whether the new technology will have as wide a coverage as the old technology, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung affirmed that 3G and 4G technology has the same coverage as 2G, so turning off 2G will not have any impact. Not to mention, the coverage policy for "wave depression" points is being actively implemented, so there will be no problems.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung

PHOTO: GIA HAN

June 2025 will cover all "wave trough" areas

Also participating in the questioning, delegate Ho Thi Kim Ngan (Bac Kan delegation) cited data that as of September 2024, Vietnam still had more than 700 villages and hamlets without mobile signal, of which more than 600 villages had electricity but still had no signal.

"What is the minister's responsibility in this matter? When will these villages have signal to reduce people's difficulties?", Ms. Ngan asked.

Responding to questions, Minister Nguyen Manh Hung said that out of more than 700 villages and hamlets that are "wave-deprived" areas, more than 140 villages do not have electricity. In addition, about 100 villages are not in particularly difficult areas, and the responsibility for coverage belongs to the network operators. The rest depends on the public telecommunications fund.

For stations without electricity and where the power supply cannot be deployed soon, a feasible solution is to use satellites. For stations not under the responsibility of the public telecommunications fund, the Ministry of Information and Communications has urged network operators to deploy coverage soon, no later than the first quarter of 2025.

As for stations under the responsibility of the public telecommunications fund, the Minister of Information and Communications said that they must comply with the new law and new decree. However, the new decree is still under construction, and the delay is partly the responsibility of the Ministry of Information and Communications. "This year, the decree will be issued," Mr. Hung affirmed, adding that by June 2025, all "wave-delayed" areas will be covered.

Frankly admitting that the lack of signal will greatly affect people's lives. However, in addition to the limitations that need to be overcome, Mr. Hung said that if you look at the numbers, you will see great achievements. Vietnam currently has 99.8% of the population covered by 4G, while this figure in developed countries is 99.4%.

Delegate Pham Thi Kieu asked the head of the Ministry of Information and Communications to come up with solutions to respond to emergency situations when telecommunications infrastructure is severely damaged, such as the recent storm No. 3. Minister Nguyen Manh Hung said that the Ministry of Information and Communications had previously directed the consolidation of the Central region. Accordingly, even if a major storm or flood occurs, the district and commune centers will still have a stable point for the government to operate against the storm. In the North, the recent storm No. 3 caused a lot of damage. With many years of experience in consolidation in the Central region, Minister Hung said, "Now, applying that experience to the North will be very quick."

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tat-song-2g-nha-mang-se-phai-bu-may-3g-4g-cho-ba-con-185241112095644757.htm