From September 16, domestic telecommunications networks will no longer support devices that only use 2G technology. VietNamNet reporters had an interview with Mr. Vo Minh Thanh, Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Communications of Ho Chi Minh City, about preparations for the upcoming shutdown of 2G waves in the city.

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Mr. Vo Minh Thanh, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Information and Communications. Photo: LM

Sir, how does Ho Chi Minh City evaluate the policy of turning off 2G waves on September 16?

Mr. Vo Minh Thanh : In preparation for the implementation of the plan to stop 2G Only mobile waves, in order to free up the frequency band currently provided for 2G mobile services, the Ministry of Information and Communications has issued Circular No. 43/2020/TT-Ministry of Information and Communications effective from July 1, 2021, which states that individuals and organizations are not allowed to manufacture and trade in telephone devices that only use 2G mobile networks in Vietnam.

From September 15, 2024, mobile devices that only use 2G mobile networks (2G Only) will be stopped, meaning they cannot connect to mobile networks. It is also worth mentioning that 2G mobile devices with integrated 4G can still be used normally. As for the complete stopping of the 2G mobile network frequency band, it will follow the roadmap and plan of the Ministry of Information and Communications to be deployed nationwide in the near future.

At the end of 2023, the Department of Information and Communications of Ho Chi Minh City coordinated with the People's Committee of Thu Duc City and districts to deploy a plan to check the probability of phone buying and selling points and stores in the city and have not yet discovered any stores that sell and buy phone devices with only 2G network (2G Only).

As you know, the radio frequency spectrum has been identified as a national resource and is finite. In principle, to develop 5G networks or mobile telecommunications services with higher economic and social value, it is necessary to reclaim frequency bands with less value to reallocate this frequency band to services with higher value. Therefore, it is inevitable to stop deploying 2G mobile network frequency bands.

Can you tell me how many subscribers are currently using 2G Only phones in Ho Chi Minh City?

According to the latest data provided by the Department of Telecommunications (Ministry of Information and Communications), 2G Only phones operating on the network in Ho Chi Minh City are 330,054 subscribers out of a total of 13,919,713 subscribers, accounting for 2.37% (statistics of the 2nd Quarter of 2024).

A segment of users have the habit of and mainly use 2G phones, especially older users, users in rural, remote areas. This discontinuation can make it difficult for them to change their habits, requiring them to access and know how to use new products and technologies.

Therefore, the general assessment of the Department of Information and Communications is that it has an impact and influence on the people of Ho Chi Minh City, but not much.

In the past, has Ho Chi Minh City taken any measures to propagate to people about turning off 2G waves, sir?

From 2021 to present, the Ministry of Information and Communications as well as the Departments of Information and Communications have coordinated with central and local press agencies, radio and television stations to organize propaganda and widely disseminate this policy to people, organizations and businesses nationwide, including Ho Chi Minh City; At the same time, coordinate with telecommunications enterprises to implement a plan to promote subscribers using 2G-only devices to switch to devices using 4G technology and smartphones.

In July 2024, the Department of Information and Communications requested departments, branches and sectors; People's Committee of Thu Duc City and districts; Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union; Ho Chi Minh City Press Center; City Television Station; City People's Voice Station; press and media agencies located in the City... to coordinate in implementing propaganda content on stopping the use of devices with only 2G technology from September 15, 2024.

At the same time, at a number of meetings providing regular information to press agencies about the city's socio-economic situation, representatives of the Department of Information and Communications also provided this information, as well as requested that press agencies support the city in regularly posting propaganda content and plans to stop providing mobile information services for devices that only use 2G technology (2G Only).

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Ho Chi Minh City no longer has 2G Only phones. Photo: PN

Does Ho Chi Minh City have policies to support people to switch from 2G devices to 4G, sir?

In early 2024, the Department of Information and Communications coordinated with the Department of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to advise and propose to the City People's Committee on policies to support telecommunications equipment and mobile telecommunications services for poor and near-poor households according to the city's standards but do not have smartphones. It is expected that this policy will be implemented and completed before April 30, 2025.

Particularly for mobile telecommunications businesses, Ho Chi Minh City has also issued many documents and organized working sessions to encourage units to increase support for their subscribers to convert 2G to 4G technology and convert "brick" phones - 2G Only to use 4G/5G smartphones.

Currently, the three major mobile network operators in Vietnam have implemented a number of preferential policies on packages when converting 2G network services to 4G network. Viettel has a price support policy when converting 2G-only devices to smartphones.