Bac Ninh accelerates 5G coverage, promoting digital transformation

Identifying 5G infrastructure as a key task in the digital transformation process, Bac Ninh province is focusing on implementing many solutions to expand coverage and improve network quality. On that basis, it will promote the development of digital economy, digital society and digital government in the area.

After merging administrative boundaries, Bac Ninh inherited the advantages of digital infrastructure from the two previous localities of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang , which are both among the leading groups in the country in terms of digital transformation index. Currently, 99% of the population is covered by 4G; dedicated data transmission networks and online conference systems are present in 100% of communes and wards. The whole province has 384 5G BTS stations in operation, covering about 54% of the population, creating important conditions for deploying technology applications in production, management and serving the people.

Viettel Bac Ninh staff introduced the 5G network and devices serving network access.

According to a representative of Viettel Bac Ninh , by the end of September 2025, the unit had built 300 5G stations, reaching a coverage rate of 14% of the province's population and 78% of the population in the central area. In the first 9 months of 2025 alone, more than 350,000 5G devices were connected to the Viettel network, accounting for 30% of the total number of subscribers with compatible devices. However, the implementation process still faces many difficulties in installation procedures on public land, transmission infrastructure rental prices in industrial parks and the lack of consensus of a part of the population due to concerns about radiation safety. If not resolved soon, these obstacles could slow down the progress of coverage across the province.

Viettel aims to develop 605 more 5G stations by the fourth quarter of 2025, bringing the total to 844 stations, expanding coverage to more than 76% of the population; of which the central area reaches 94% and industrial parks reach 100%.

VNPT Bac Ninh currently operates 64 5G stations and plans to add 315 more stations in 2025, prioritizing administrative centers, industrial parks, urban areas, schools, hospitals and rural areas with high demand. The unit also continues to optimize 4G coverage and fiber optic transmission infrastructure, aiming for 1,822 5G stations by 2030.

Removing obstacles and enhancing public consensus

Bac Ninh's telecommunications infrastructure has been heavily invested in recent years, helping to ensure smooth communication for operational purposes, while supporting socio-economic development and maintaining national defense and security. However, the rate of shared infrastructure usage is still low; coverage quality in some areas is unstable; the process of building BTS stations still faces difficulties in terms of land, power supply and public consensus.

5G mobile transmission station of VNPT network in Bac Giang ward.

Bac Ninh province aims to deploy 1,018 5G stations on existing infrastructure and build 248 new stations by the end of 2025, increasing the coverage rate to more than 60% of the population. To achieve this goal, on October 2, 2025, the Provincial People's Committee issued Directive No. 04/CT-UBND, requesting relevant units to coordinate to remove specific obstacles according to the "3 clear" mechanism: clear focal point, clear task, clear deadline.

Accordingly, the Department of Science and Technology will coordinate with businesses and local authorities to promote propaganda and dialogue with people about radiation safety. The Departments of Construction, Industry and Trade, Finance, Agriculture and Environment and the Industrial Park Management Board will also support from planning, land allocation, power supply to exploiting public assets to install BTS stations. New urban, residential and industrial park projects are required to integrate shared technical infrastructure for telecommunications and 5G.

This is considered a solution to help Bac Ninh remove infrastructure "bottlenecks", quickly expand 5G coverage, serve people, businesses and the process of building a modern e-government.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/bac-ninh-tang-toc-phu-song-5g-thuc-day-chuyen-doi-so-197251114235342719.htm