The shutdown of 2G networks is a major policy of the Ministry of Information and Communications and has been a priority since 2019. Over the past period, the Ministry of Information and Communications and mobile operators have implemented many solutions to promote the shutdown of 2G networks, including solutions to convert 2G mobile subscribers to smartphones; and developing broadband mobile infrastructure. Many localities have also seen the emergence of effective models for shutting down 2G networks and transitioning people to 4G.
Going from house to house to spread the message to the people.
Sharing his thoughts on this issue with VietNamNet , Mr. Nguyen Trong Hung, Director of the Department of Information and Communications of Lang Son province , said that after receiving instructions from the Ministry of Information and Communications, the Lang Son Department of Information and Communications has implemented a roadmap to cease providing 2G mobile technology in the province; and has proactively communicated to the people through various channels such as local newspapers and radio. In addition, Lang Son has also communicated through grassroots information channels such as the public address system reaching even the communes. However, the difference this time is that many people in remote areas, using old 2G "brick" phones, will not have access to information about the 2G shutdown (these people access information indirectly, such as through family members), unlike smartphone users who access information daily online.
To address this issue, Lang Son province has chosen an approach that is suitable for the people. Accordingly, the Provincial People's Committee will direct the district chairmen, who will direct the commune and town chairmen. The communes, wards, and towns will assign tasks to community digital technology teams, neighborhood group leaders, and village heads. The Department of Information and Communications has also compiled a list of 2G-Only subscribers in the area and forwarded this information to the community digital technology teams, neighborhood group leaders, and village heads to work with network operators to go door-to-door to persuade people to switch to 4G.
“We decided to work alongside businesses to shut down 2G networks, rather than letting telecommunications companies approach customers independently. That would be very difficult, as people might misunderstand and think the businesses are selling phones… Network operators working with village heads and neighborhood group leaders to disseminate information about the government's policy on shutting down 2G networks and encouraging each resident to upgrade to 4G phones will be much more effective. With this approach, some communes in Trang Dinh district no longer have 2G subscribers; everyone has switched to 4G. The key is that the government must get involved strongly to build trust among the people,” said Mr. Nguyen Trong Hung.
In addition, the network provider also offers incentives when upgrading from 2G to 4G, such as only paying 360,000 VND to get a 4G phone. If customers commit to using a monthly fee of 60,000 VND, the network provider will give them a free 4G phone.
“We have implemented a policy of joint government and business cooperation to strive to make Lang Son the first locality in the country to complete the shutdown of 2G networks and upgrade people to 4G. Before the Ministry of Information and Communications directed the shutdown of 2G networks, Lang Son had approximately 120,000 2G-only subscribers. However, after decisive implementation, only 39,500 mobile subscribers remain, scattered across both urban and rural areas. Of these, Viettel has 33,000 subscribers, VNPT has 6,000 subscribers, and MobiFone has 500 subscribers. Therefore, shutting down 2G networks by VNPT and MobiFone is not a major issue; only Viettel needs to find solutions to support customers in shutting down 2G networks,” Mr. Hung continued.
The government is assisting people in upgrading to 4G devices.
Along with Lang Son, the authorities of several other localities have also taken decisive action to support businesses in switching off 2G networks and bringing people to 4G. Quang Yen town (Quang Ninh province) has implemented a 90-day campaign to convert 2G SIM cards and phones to 4G SIM cards and smartphones. The town has directed the People's Committees of communes and wards, and community digital technology groups to develop plans to coordinate with Viettel Quang Ninh and Quang Ninh Telecommunications to notify, call, and text 2G subscribers, inviting them to village and neighborhood cultural centers to switch to 4G SIM cards. In addition, the town has also worked with and agreed with telecommunications companies and electronics supermarkets to offer a 25-45% subsidy when purchasing 4G phones and smartphones for residents.
Recently, the Da Nang City People's Committee submitted a proposal to the Da Nang City People's Council regarding financial support for poor and near-poor households to purchase smartphones when the 2G network is shut down. The proposal suggests a maximum support of 2 million VND per device per household for each household classified as poor or near-poor according to city standards, where all members of the household do not yet own a smartphone. Each household will only receive support once. Da Nang is expected to be the first locality in the country to shut down the 2G network.
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/den-tung-nha-ra-tung-nguoi-van-dong-nguoi-dan-len-4g-2305593.html
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