3G shutdown time in Vietnam

A representative from the Department of Telecommunications ( Ministry of Information and Communications ) stated that there are currently plans to shut down 2G and 3G networks in Vietnam.

Vietnam has a roadmap for shutting down 2G and 3G networks. Photo: Viettel

On July 18, VietNamNet Newspaper coordinated with the Department of Telecommunications (Ministry of Information and Communications) to organize a discussion "2G shutdown, what do people need to prepare?". According to the roadmap for stopping the 2G mobile network in Vietnam that the Ministry of Information and Communications has just issued, from September 16, 2024, no services will be provided to subscriber terminals that only support 2G standards, except for the case of providing services to subscriber terminals connected to the 2G network for the purpose of transmitting and receiving data between devices (M2M) or providing services in the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos, and DK platforms. Mr. Nguyen Phong Nha - Deputy Director of the Department of Telecommunications said that 2G technology (30 years old) and 3G (nearly 20 years old) are currently outdated technologies. 4G, 5G, and soon 6G technologies represent the next evolution of mobile networks, offering optimized options including faster speeds, greater capacity, and improved operational efficiency. "After phasing out 2G technology, 3G technology will be completely discontinued by September 2028," said the Deputy Director of the Telecommunications Department.

Mr. Nguyen Phong Nha - Deputy Director of the Department of Telecommunications (far right) spoke at the seminar. Photo: Khanh An

According to Mr. Nha, phasing out 2G technology benefits the people, society, and businesses. For people using devices that only support 2G, network providers will offer support through subsidies for purchasing smart devices and offer data packages with more modern features suitable for the new technology. With smart devices, users will have access to many new services, including online public administration services, cashless payments, and information access through applications when accessing the internet. For businesses, shutting down 2G technology and, in the near future, 3G will help reduce operating costs. The expected increase in mobile data traffic as 2G technology is phased out will boost revenue for telecommunications companies, increase revenue for content providers and telecommunications application service providers, and create new opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to manufacture and supply terminal equipment supporting new technologies. For the government, not operating networks using outdated, energy-intensive technologies will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and gradually deploying mobile networks using energy-efficient technologies. To implement the 2G phase-out roadmap, the Ministry of Information and Communications has requested mobile network operators to deploy 4G network infrastructure to ensure coverage that can replace the shut-down 2G base stations in all areas where the network is being switched off; focusing on developing infrastructure in remote areas, border regions, and islands. Implement the telecommunications infrastructure development plan to ensure that by 2025, 100% of villages currently lacking cellular coverage and already connected to the national power grid will have 4G mobile broadband coverage.

As of May 2024, the number of 2G only subscribers is more than 11 million, accounting for about 9% of the total number of mobile subscribers nationwide. Currently, according to the plan to stop 2G technology, mobile businesses have reported that the number of 2G only subscribers by September 2024 is expected to decrease to 0 or account for less than 5% of the total number of mobile subscribers of the business.

Laodong.vn

Source: https://laodong.vn/cong-nghe/thoi-diem-tat-song-3g-tai-viet-nam-1368084.ldo