Unconverted subscribers still maintain their phone numbers.

On the afternoon of October 11, the Department of Telecommunications coordinated with VietNamNet newspaper and the Information Center, Ministry of Information and Communications to organize a discussion "Turn off 2G waves before G hour" to exchange, discuss, propose and recommend on the implementation of stopping providing services for 2G Only subscribers after October 15.

4 days before 2G shutdown, there were still 770 thousand subscribers

According to statistics from the Telecommunications Department, as of September 8, 2024, the number of subscribers of network operators is about 3.4 million 2G Only subscribers. Compared to July 2024, in more than 1 month, the number of 2G Only subscribers decreased by more than 5.3 million subscribers. As of October 10, there were only 771,072 2G Only subscribers before the 2G signal was turned off.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Tinh, Deputy General Director of Viettel Telecom, said that by October 10, there were only 360,000 2G Only subscribers on Viettel's network. It is expected that by October 15, Viettel will have less than 100,000 2G subscribers, including 2G subscribers in the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos and DK1 Platform.

Mr. Do Manh Dung, Acting Director of VNPT VinaPhone's Personal Customer Department, as of the morning of October 11, the entire VNPT network has only about 150,000 2G only subscribers.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Dung, Deputy Head of MobiFone Telecommunications Services, said that as of October 11, MobiFone had 47,919 2G only subscribers. The number is very small. If calculated based on the criteria of not using 2G devices for 30 days, the average revenue is less than 5,000 VND, leaving only about 20,000 subscribers. With such progress, after another week, MobiFone's 2G only subscribers will only be about 10,000.

Mr. Dang Dinh Tung, representative of Vietnamobile, said that the network has tried its best, as of October 11, there were about 17,000 2G subscribers left. The network has taken all communication measures, sending messages continuously to these subscribers. However, Vietnamobile is facing difficulties due to lack of funds to support the devices.

Recently, network operators have supported the cost of 4G Only phones combined with conversion packages, and supported up to 100% of the cost of 4G phones. Network operators have prepared a number of 4G phones to support compensation (100% funding support) for their 2G Only subscribers. Some mobile businesses have a policy of supporting giving away phones without registering for a package for poor households, near-poor households, subscribers in remote, isolated, and disadvantaged areas to convert to 4G phones.

Find every way to contact 2G subscribers to notify them to turn off the signal.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Tinh, Deputy General Director of Viettel Telecom.

According to network representatives, even though there are only 4 days left before the signal is shut down, they are still trying to call, text, and even visit homes to notify 2G subscribers.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Tinh, Viettel has been operating resolutely, giving active direction, with the determination and efforts of all Viettel staff in the provinces and cities, especially in rural, remote and isolated areas, where there are the most 2G subscribers.

"The remaining subscribers are mostly in rural, mountainous, remote and most difficult areas. The target customers are often the elderly and those with little need to use the service," said Mr. Nguyen Trong Tinh.

"Recently, almost all customers have received 100% support from Viettel for their devices according to Viettel's policy. In September and October, the number of customers coming to the store to switch was very rare. We had to go directly to the place to help customers switch.

With these results, although we have not yet achieved the set goal of reducing 2G Only subscribers to 0. But if we achieve less than 100,000 2G Only subscribers by October 15, we consider that we have achieved the goal and are satisfied with this result," said Mr. Nguyen Trong Tinh.

According to Mr. Do Manh Dung, in the past time, VNPT has made great efforts to implement the direction of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Information and Communications. Last September was a very difficult period. Many provinces and cities in the Northern region were affected by storms and floods.

In those areas, VNPT must ensure infrastructure restoration, service quality, communication support for authorities at all levels to direct flood and storm prevention work, and carry out activities to support customers in changing devices.

Mr. Do Manh Dung said: "It is expected that in the next 4 days, we will continue to mobilize staff nationwide to support the conversion of devices for customers, including in remote areas. We will arrange personnel to serve directly, with the goal of having less than 100,000 2G subscribers by October 15."

"We are determined to continue to carry out device exchange and support activities after that time, ensuring that 100% of customers can use the service smoothly after October 15," Mr. Do Manh Dung affirmed.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Dung shared that MobiFone has implemented many programs, including supporting phone exchange and giving away 4G Feature Phones to customers. The number from September 1 to October 10 is 20,000 phones.

Of these, 7,000 people were given 100% value phones. The fact that people proactively switched from Feature Phones to smartphones was a huge contribution to communication work, greatly affecting customers' consumption behavior. MobiFone's proposal is to continue to communicate more strongly.

Will complete 2G shutdown on schedule

Mr. Nguyen Phong Nha, Deputy Director of the Department of Telecommunications.

Assessing the results that network operators have achieved in the recent past to move customers from 2G to 4G, Mr. Nguyen Phong Nha, Deputy Director of the Department of Telecommunications, stated that from the perspective of the telecommunications management agency, we see this as a truly impressive result, a great effort and determination of businesses.

Looking back, in January 2024, the entire network had more than 18 million 2G subscribers. Now there are only more than 700 thousand devices left. This is a huge effort as we maintain network quality, develop the 5G network as well as maintain production and business. Enterprises have shown responsibility in reducing the number of 2G subscribers.

Regarding users who have not yet accessed information, Mr. Nha said that the number is still extremely small. However, this does not mean that these subscribers are not cared for by businesses and are not fulfilling their customer care responsibilities.

Because, if the subscriber is operating normally, with the frequency of customer care of the business, by calling, texting, giving a notification sound when starting to make calls during the day about stopping providing services on October 15, normal users will know the information.

Network operators still have to meet users directly. This is extremely difficult and tiring work, but businesses have been responsible and done well in the past time. With 4 days left, businesses will continue to do that.

After October 15, the business's responsibility is to maintain the phone number, package, and policy with the old subscriber. Users can continue to go to service providers or call the phone number to receive full instructions for the conversion.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tat-song-2g-ngay-1510-thue-bao-chua-chuyen-doi-van-duoc-duy-tri-so-dien-thoai-post836286.html