Do I need to change my SIM card to use 5G?

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Since 5G network coverage began in Vietnam, many users have wondered whether they need to switch to a new SIM card or can still use their current SIM card to connect.

Do I need to change my SIM card to use 5G network?

Since mobile network operators in Vietnam began rolling out 5G nationwide, many people have questioned whether their current SIM cards can connect to 5G and who needs to switch SIM cards to use the latest 5G network. In response to this question, a representative from a Vietnamese network operator stated that those using physical SIM cards that support 4G connectivity can still use them to access 5G. Meanwhile, users currently using eSIMs only need to register for a 5G data plan and do not need to re-register or get a new SIM card.

Users need to switch to a new SIM card if they are currently using a standard SIM (large-sized SIM). With 4G SIMs or eSIMs, users can use the 5G network without switching to a new SIM (Illustrative image: KM).

This person added that only those using regular SIM cards (standard SIMs) need to switch to new SIMs to use newer network technologies, because these types of SIMs usually only support 2G or 3G networks.

How to check if your current SIM card supports 4G network.

As mentioned above, any SIM card that supports 4G can continue to use 5G without needing to change to a new SIM. So how do you know if your current SIM supports 4G or only 3G? - For Viettel users: If you are using Viettel, activate the call function on your smartphone and enter the code *098*4#, then press the call button. A dialog box will appear; enter "1" and press send. Wait a moment; if you see the message "You are using a Viettel 4G SIM," it means you can continue using your current SIM to connect to 5G without needing to change to a new SIM.

- For VinaPhone users: If you are using the VinaPhone network, activate the dialer function on your smartphone and enter the code *091*38#, then press the call button. The system will send a notification indicating whether your SIM supports 3G or 4G, so you will know if you need to switch SIMs to use 5G. - For Mobifone users: Currently, Mobifone does not support checking 3G or 4G SIMs using the same syntax as Viettel and VinaPhone. If you are using Mobifone, you can call their customer support hotline to ask for help checking. Alternatively, a simple way to check is to activate the mobile network connection function on your smartphone. If the 4G+ or 4G/4G LTE network icon appears, it means your SIM supports 4G network connectivity. Conversely, if the network icon only shows 3G or H+, it means the SIM only supports 3G networks. However, this method isn't entirely accurate because the user's smartphone might only support a maximum of 3G, so it won't display a 4G connection notification, even if the SIM supports 4G. SIM cards often have a 4G icon printed on them if they support 4G connectivity. Users can remove the SIM from their phone to check this detail more thoroughly.

Some mobile network operators will print the 4G logo on the SIM card so that users know what type of SIM card they are using (Photo: FB).

What do users need to use 5G in Vietnam?

To use 5G in Vietnam, users need to ensure the following: - First, users must be using a smartphone or mobile device that supports 5G. Currently, 5G-enabled smartphones in Vietnam are more affordable and accessible, so you can easily own a 5G phone to experience the latest network technology. You can refer to the list of affordable 5G phones introduced by Dan Tri here. - The 5G connection feature must be activated on the smartphone. You can follow Dan Tri 's instructions here to do this. - Users must have a subscription from a network provider that offers 5G service and must be in an area with 5G coverage. Currently, most major network providers in Vietnam offer 5G service, and coverage is widespread throughout the country.

Does using 5G consume more data than using 4G?

The advantage of 5G networks is that they are 10 to 100 times faster than 4G networks. However, many users, after experiencing 5G for a while, say that this network technology consumes more data than 4G. In fact, if you use 5G and 4G to do similar things on your smartphone, such as watching videos at the same resolution, downloading the same file, or watching live streams on social media, the amount of mobile data consumed will be the same. However, because 5G has faster download speeds, users will feel that data is consumed more quickly in a short period of time.

5G networks are faster than 4G, which means this technology consumes mobile data more quickly (Illustrative image: ST).

However, because 5G networks are faster, users tend to use multiple internet-connected applications simultaneously, such as watching high-quality movies and making high-quality video calls. Additionally, some applications automatically optimize video and image quality to match the high speed of 5G, which will consume more mobile data when using 5G. Therefore, depending on usage and 5G plans, users can choose 4G or 5G network settings to best suit their needs and save costs. However, for basic tasks like browsing the web and using social media, the difference in data usage between 4G and 5G is not significant, so users don't really need to worry too much about this.

Dantri.com.vn

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-manh-so/dung-mang-5g-co-can-doi-sim-20241024132619723.htm