5G network packages start to air in Vietnam

Việt Nam chính thức thương mại hóa 5G - Ảnh 1. — 5G will help many activities, such as livestreaming sales, run more smoothly and easily - Photo: DUC THIEN

Although specific details haven't been revealed yet, through some of Viettel 's internal channels, users can now register for the first 5G packages. Previously, 5G coverage had appeared in many areas across the country. Users who experienced it expressed great excitement...

The first 5G data plans

"The average speed is around 300Mbps. At times, in many places, it reaches up to 400Mbps. The internet speed is very fast; playing online games or watching videos is fantastic!" shared Mr. Minh Tan (resident of Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City) after unexpectedly experiencing 5G network a few days ago.

5G networks offer significantly higher connection speeds compared to 4G, with theoretical speeds potentially reaching 10Gbps. In real-world conditions, common 5G speeds can be as low as 1Gbps, ten times faster than 4G.

According to Tuoi Tre newspaper , many users in various provinces and cities have shared that they have received 5G network signals on their smartphones in recent days. Some have even turned on the WiFi hotspot feature on their phones to enable faster network connection and quicker processing for their laptops.

According to Viettel, the network provider offers 11 prepaid and 8 postpaid packages for 5G. 5G packages start from 135,000 VND/month (4GB/day, free access to TV360 movie library, and 20GB of free storage). The prepaid package with the largest data capacity is 20GB/day, equivalent to 600GB/month, priced at 480,000 VND/month.

The most generous postpaid plan offers up to 50GB of data per day, at a price of up to 2 million VND per month (subscribers receive 60 minutes of free on-net calls, 400 minutes of off-net calls, and 250 domestic SMS). Users can choose to purchase only the 5G data package, or a combo package including calls, data, and free other 5G content.

Mobile carriers race to offer 5G.

While Viettel officially announced the launch of commercial 5G on October 15th, VinaPhone offered customers a free 5G trial in areas already covered by the network.

Specifically, from October 13th to November 15th, VinaPhone subscribers who already own a 5G phone will be able to participate in a free trial program of super-fast 5G (receiving 50GB of data valid for 30 days). VinaPhone subscribers will receive a notification message inviting them to try the service for free.

A representative from VinaPhone stated that, according to plan, by the end of 2024, VNPT will complete the installation of over 3,000 5G base stations, especially in urban areas and major economic centers nationwide.

Previously, Viettel announced that it had signed a cooperation agreement with Supermicro (USA) to jointly support technology development, focusing on global solutions in the fields of 5G technology and artificial intelligence (AI).

Meanwhile, MobiFone announced that it is implementing a model of infrastructure sharing cooperation with network operators that have suitable 5G frequency bands. In early October 2024, MobiFone signed a memorandum of understanding with Ericsson to cooperate on innovation and jointly develop 5G in Vietnam.

"In the near future, MobiFone will launch 5G products and services to meet customer needs, ensuring stable and fast transmission quality," a representative of the network provider stated.

Waiting for more new 5G services

5G networks are characterized not only by superior connection speeds but also by the number of devices that can connect simultaneously and (theoretically) near-zero connection latency. Therefore, 5G networks are expected to unlock many new services.

"Once 5G is stable, it will boost many new features and conveniences that are currently being tested in cars," Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Ngan, CEO of NEG Vietnam car dealership, shared with Tuoi Tre newspaper .

According to Mr. Ngan, current electric car models offer many smart services that require network connectivity, such as routing, AI virtual assistants, autonomous driving programs, and entertainment software. 5G will help unlock these services.

Ms. Anh Hong, representative of the 24hStore retail system, stated that 5G networks significantly improve the internet user experience, such as watching 4K videos, playing online games, and participating in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications.

Meanwhile, MobiFone announced that it will apply 5G to livestreaming services, smart factories, the MobiEdu education ecosystem, digital agriculture, and more.