Telecommunications and electronics market before 2G wave cut

DNO - On October 15, the 2G network will officially stop operating, telecommunications units will block terminal services of subscribers who only use the 2G network. Through records, users have prepared to switch to newer network services and smart devices.

The number of people queuing up to buy devices and switch phone services on October 14 and 15 increased sharply. Photo: CHIEN THANG

At many telecommunications and telephone service stores in the city, many people come to ask for answers to questions, change SIM cards, and devices because they are concerned that they belong to groups that will be affected after the 2G signal is cut off.

Using a Nokia brand phone that she bought a year ago, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Van (Hoa An ward, Cam Le district) is very worried because she does not know whether this device will stop working after October 15 or not.

Therefore, she went to the phone store and asked the staff to check. After checking, her phone was still eligible for continued use.

Similarly, Ms. Nguyen Minh (Hoa Minh ward, Lien Chieu district) took the opportunity to go to a phone store on Ton Duc Thang street to buy smartphones for her relatives to replace the "brick" phones that only used 2G network before.

Smartphone devices priced from 4-5 million or less

Smartphones priced from 4-5 million VND are in high demand during this time. Photo: CHIEN THANG

According to representatives of some telecommunications and telephone equipment stores, the number of customers these days has increased 1.5-2 times compared to 1 week ago. However, compared to 1 month ago (ie September 15), it is much less.

Customers tend to prioritize buying low-cost devices priced from 4-5 million VND/device or less. Shutting down 2G waves is an important step for Vietnam to realize the goal of the National Digital Transformation Program by 2025, with a vision to 2030, to popularize 4G and 5G mobile networks.

Viettel network has set up dozens of points and hundreds of staff to directly support customers at their homes to exchange devices in the city and cooperated with retail chains to provide incentive programs to support users to convert from 2G to 4G.

The number of customers switching to 4G feature phones is mostly middle-aged or elderly people. At Viettel Store Da Nang, we have recorded that purchasing power since the information about turning off 2G waves has increased about 10 times compared to the same period in 2023.

Viettel also donated 2,000 smartphones and 4G push-button phones to poor and near-poor households in the city in August and September 2024, worth nearly 800 million VND.

The number of smartphones and SIM cards available at retail stores is abundant and diverse, meeting the needs of customers in the coming time. Photo: CHIEN THANG

Previously, Vinaphone network provided free support for thousands of feature phones so that customers could continue to use telecommunications services.

After October 15, MobiFone will block 2G devices but still retain accounts and subscriptions for customers. At the same time, the network will keep and add days, reserve so that customers have time to switch, install new SIMs on new devices...

For customers who buy their own phones to switch from 2G-feature phones to 4G, MobiFone offers a free package. Subscribers who receive the 100% free phone program are required to register to use Mobifone's service for at least 12 months.

Many stores offer attractive trade-in policies to help people access newer technology devices. Photo: CHIEN THANG

Thus, from 0:00 on October 16, telecommunications networks will lock 2-way calls of 2G subscribers. Customers can go to service providers to receive full instructions on how to convert 2G devices to 4G devices.

Telecommunications businesses affirm that they will ensure consumer rights and users have the right to choose smartphones or 4G push-button phones, with preferential, reasonable, and customer support programs.