From March 1, what will be the fate of "brick" phones?

Recently, many users of "brick" phones (old phones with only basic functions of calling, texting) are confused about whether their phones are subject to signal cuts from 1-3 or not, and if they only have basic needs, is it necessary to spend a lot of money to buy a smartphone?

Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) said that in preparation for stopping the old 2G technology in September 2024, VNPT has a roadmap to turn off 2G waves and optimal conversion support plans.

Since 2 years ago, VNPT has proactively turned off individual 2G stations that generate little or no traffic. In addition, VNPT has also stepped up communication of its policy and roadmap for shutting down 2G waves to customers. In particular, to support affected customers, VNPT has assigned staff to provide direct support and implemented terminal equipment subsidies.

To ensure smooth service and communication, VinaPhone recommends that customers promptly look up information on 2G devices in use and convert, upgrade to 3G, 4G, 5G devices. In particular, to encourage and support customers to the maximum when converting 2G phones, VinaPhone offers a promotion of 30GB of free high-speed data (for customers who receive promotional messages), applicable from January 9 to September 15, 2024.

2G-only phones will be cut off from September 2024

VinaPhone's communications representative said the operator has been sending text messages to affected users since January 2024 and will send reminder messages until September.

"Existing "brick" phones can still be used normally until September 2024, when the 2G signal is turned off. Illegal 2G phones (smuggled, hand-carried, etc.) that are imported to the new network from March 1-3 will not be able to connect. If the SIM card of the mobile phone is used and installed on an illegal 2G phone, it will not work either" - VinaPhone's media representative explained.

Vinaphone's message to customers affected by 2G shutdown

Mobifone representative said the list of certified devices was published by the Department of Telecommunications at the link: https://tqc.gov.vn/2g-only, users can check to know.

Regarding conformity certification, the Law on Telecommunications stipulates: "Terminal equipment, radio equipment, radio wave application equipment, information technology equipment, electrical and electronic equipment on the list of telecommunications equipment, radio equipment, radio wave application equipment, information technology equipment, electrical and electronic equipment that can cause unsafety issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications must carry out conformity certification or conformity declaration for each type of equipment and use the conformity mark before being circulated on the market or connected to the public telecommunications network".

According to statistics from network operators, by the end of 2023, Vietnam will have about 15 million 2G subscribers. The goal of the Ministry of Information and Communications and businesses is to gradually reduce this number of subscribers, and by September 2024, there will be no more 2G subscribers.

It is known that currently on the market there are new generation "brick" phones that support 4G with prices under 1 million VND/unit for users to convert.

Will support users

At the press conference of the Ministry of Information and Communications held at the end of 2023, a representative of the Department of Telecommunications said that the roadmap for stopping 2G technology is being developed and implemented by telecommunications enterprises based on the orientation on stopping old technology in Official Dispatch No. 4833/BTTTT-CVT dated September 27, 2022 on the orientation for implementing the roadmap and plan to stop 2G mobile technology and Notice No. 3095/BTTTT-CTS dated July 31, 2023 announcing the planning of the 900/1800/2100MHz frequency bands.

Accordingly, it is expected that by September 2024, there will be no more 2G Only subscribers on the mobile network; from September 2024 to September 2026, the 2G system will be maintained to provide voice and text messaging services to subscribers using 3G and 4G Non-VoLTE devices. At the same time, the Ministry will also issue policies and direct telecommunications enterprises to implement solutions to support the conversion of subscribers from 2G to 4G.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/tu-ngay-1-3-so-phan-cua-dien-thoai-cuc-gach-ra-sao-196240229201645367.htm