In what cases will "brick" phones be blocked from entering the network from March 1?
Like VietNamNet It was reported that from March 1, 3, 2024G terrestrial mobile phones that are not certified to comply with regulations will not be allowed to connect to the mobile network.
Telecommunications businesses will not allow mobile phones that only support 2G technology (2G Only) to enter the new network, not on the list of 2G phones certified to be compliant as announced by the Ministry of Information and Communications.
To clarify, VietNamNet contacted the Department of Telecommunications to help readers understand the information correctly. According to the explanation from the Department of Telecommunications, when people go to buy a new SIM card, if the phone they are using is a "brick" 2G phone (can be old or new), it is not on the list of licensed devices. certificate of conformity, they will be refused access to the network.
This also means that for mobile phones that only support 2G (2G Only), have been circulating in Vietnam for a long time and have a certificate of conformity, users can still install a new SIM to connect to the network normally. .
Thus, only when a user activates a new SIM, but uses a "brick" phone that is not on the list published by the Department of Telecommunications, will they not be allowed to join the network. These non-compliant devices can be understood as portable devices, smuggled or imported into Vietnam through unofficial channels.
To implement the policy and orientation to stop 2G mobile technology and popularize smartphones, the Ministry of Information and Communications has issued a Circular regulating the ban on import and circulation of phones with only 2G connection. However, in reality, there is still a situation where 2G Only devices are hand-carried and smuggled.
When asked about the issue of 2G equipment floating on the market, Mr. Nguyen Phong Nha, Deputy Director of the Department of Telecommunications (Ministry of Information and Communications) said that through actual inspection of a number of equipment sales points in provinces and cities. According to the Ministry Inspectorate, there is still trade in 2G devices that are not officially imported, in addition to old 2G phone models.
Given this reality, the Department of Telecommunications will actively communicate and coordinate with network operators to review new devices registered to join the network. This is to ensure that subscribers who do not comply with regulations will not be allowed to join new networks.
When will Vietnam turn off 2G waves?
Blocking new 2G devices that do not comply with standards from March 1 is just one solution in the roadmap to implement the orientation of stopping 3G mobile technology and universalizing smartphones in Vietnam.
According to Ms. Vu Thu Hien, Head of the Frequency Policy and Planning Department (Radio Frequency Department, Ministry of Information and Communications), by September 9, the Ministry of Information and Communications sets a goal that there will be no more 2024G Only subscribers on the mobile network.
However, on the market there are currently a number of early 3G and 4G smartphone subscribers that have not yet integrated the VoLTE feature. These phone models are forced to make voice calls via the 2G and 3G platforms and can still continue to use them. until September 9.
During the period from September 9 to September 2024, the 9G network system in Vietnam will still be maintained but will not develop new subscribers. During these 2026 years, the 2G network system is only used to provide voice services to 2G and 2G subscribers without VoLTE feature.
Maintaining the 900 MHz band for 2G until 2026 is a soft transition, helping mobile subscribers have appropriate conversion time, ensuring reasonable system maintenance. This is the premise that by 2026 there will no longer be a 2G system on the network, only 3G and 4G will remain.
