HCMC – Vietnam is expected to phase out 2G networks by the end of this year given the emergence of new mobile technologies like 5G, according to the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority (VNTA) under the Ministry of Information and Communications.
VNTA will join hands with mobile carriers to announce their phase-out plans from now until the end of the year. The switch-off date remains unknown.
VNTA will take measures to switch to new mobile technologies and make network services for smartphones more widespread.
The Ministry of Information and Communications has already granted licenses for trial operations of 5G networks in 40 provinces and cities.
According to VNTA, the number of 2G subscribers has declined but still accounts for 20% of the total. The figure is forecast to drop further in the near future.
It is estimated that Vietnam has some 123 million mobile subscribers, of which smartphone users make up about 80%.
More than 20 million mobile phones find buyers in Vietnam a year, of which 60% are smartphones and the remainder are feature phones.
According to the ministry’s Circular 43 about the national technical regulations for terminal devices of terrestrial mobile communication, terminal devices serving mobile communication manufactured at home or abroad must meet the high demand for 4G technology equipment from July 1, 2021.
Since the circular came out, the number of 2G devices has reached rock bottom on distribution channels.
