Vietnam to switch off 2G services before September 2024

Vietnam plans to shut down 2G technology before September 2024 to accelerate the development of 5G services.

2G feature phones will no longer exist in Vietnam. Photo: VNA

The Ministry of Information and Communications introduced the 2G termination scheme to increase the coverage of 4G and 5G networks at a conference held in Hanoi on December 18.

The schedule is based on the expiration time of the license for mobile telecommunications services and the license for radio frequency bands to be consistent with the radio frequency planning.

The ministry asked mobile telecoms to take solutions to increase 4G/5G services and reduce the number of 2G mobile subscribers to less than 5% by the end of 2023.

The plan aims to increase the penetration of smartphones nationwide, contributing partly to boosting the digital transformation process. So far, Vietnam has 123 million mobile subscribers. 

From July 1, 2021, the production or import of 2G or 3G cell phones in Vietnam is prohibited. All cell phones manufactured locally or imported into Vietnam must be E-UTRA (or 4G technology) ready.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said the telecommunications industry will focus on commercializing 5G in 2023.

The ministry has piloted 5G services in 55 provinces and cities and encouraged enterprises to research and produce 5G devices. It also aims for industrial parks, universities, research institutes, schools, hospitals, and tourist attractions to be covered by the next-generation network.

With the 5G network seen as the foundation for developing the digital economy and society, Hanoi, one of Vietnam's two largest cities, aims to start providing 5G services by 2030, according to the latest plan of the Hanoi People's Committee.

The city has emphasized prioritizing broadband development in high-tech and industrial parks.