Expect many new breakthroughs with 5G.

5G networks are expected to bring many new breakthroughs in the field of network connectivity - Photo: QUANG DINH

5G networks are expected to boost internet services and mobile internet applications in Vietnam, while also unlocking many new services across various sectors.

Unlocking new experiences and boosting the 5G device market.

After a few days of experiencing 5G, Mr. Tuan Anh (Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City) expressed great enthusiasm because the connection speed reached 200-300Mbps, even faster than his home WiFi connection. "Since 5G became available, I've turned on the WiFi hotspot feature on my phone so my laptop can connect to the network faster and handle necessary tasks more quickly," Mr. Tuan Anh shared.

Ms. Thanh Van (District 1) shared that many 5G smartphones have been launched and widely used for a long time, but 5G is still considered a "dormant" feature, so she is eagerly waiting to experience real 5G services.

Along with Viettel , VinaPhone has also offered users a free trial of 5G services in areas with coverage. A VinaPhone representative stated that their 5G service will be expanded to many automation, monitoring/control, and smart management applications for businesses, factories, seaports, healthcare, and distance education in Vietnam.

Currently, many devices from various manufacturers support 5G connectivity, such as iPhones from 12 to 16, many iPad tablets, and many smartphone models from OPPO (Find N3, Reno 12 5G, A79 5G), Xiaomi (Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus 5G, Xiaomi 14), Vivo 30E, Honor 200 5G, etc.

"The price range of 5G devices currently spans from mid-range to high-end, suitable for many segments of Vietnamese users. This price diversity allows Vietnamese consumers to easily access 5G devices, so price is not a barrier," commented Ms. Anh Hong, representative of the 24hStore retail system.

The advent of 5G services will undoubtedly boost demand for 5G-enabled devices. This will also intensify competition among manufacturers and retailers.

"This not only stimulates the smartphone market but also facilitates the development of related industries such as technology, education , and healthcare thanks to the strong and diverse connectivity that 5G networks offer."

"This development will create a mutually reinforcing cycle between service provision, equipment, and user demand, helping the technology market to thrive even more in the coming years," added Ms. Anh Hong.

Mobile network operators are investing in building more 5G base stations to enhance coverage - Photo provided by the network operator.

Discover new services and products.

Speaking to Tuổi Trẻ about the impact of 5G on the smartphone manufacturing industry, Mr. Phong Lê, business director of Honor Vietnam, commented that 5G is not only a technological breakthrough but also a powerful driving force changing the way we live and work.

For users, 5G offers superior connection speeds, supports more effective remote learning and work, and improves healthcare quality through smart services.

For businesses, 5G opens up many new development opportunities in areas such as IoT, smart factories, self-driving cars, and automated logistics. These technologies help optimize production processes, increase efficiency, and improve competitiveness.

"In the smartphone sector, 5G is reshaping the entire industry. With its rapid connection speeds, 5G phones not only offer a smoother web browsing and video streaming experience but also support advanced features such as 4K video, lag-free online gaming, and augmented reality (AR) and augmented reality (VR) applications," said Phong Le.

"Looking to the future, businesses need to seize this trend, invest in research and development of 5G-based products and services, and build strategies suitable for the digital economy. This will not only help businesses enhance their competitiveness but also contribute to promoting the development of Vietnam's digital economy in the 5G era," Mr. Phong Le shared.

Particularly with its low latency, almost zero, 5G is suitable for applications in many fields such as remote control, telemedicine, and cybersurgery.

According to Huawei, in areas where 5G is already in use, carriers have leveraged and applied it to services such as New Calling, Cloud Phones, and glasses-free 3D.

In terms of industrial services, passive IoT has also been upgraded to be ready for application in a broader market; Internet of Vehicles (IoV) applications require higher uplink access speeds... Currently, there are more than 1.8 billion 5G users worldwide.

Young people experience 5G-enabled phones in Ho Chi Minh City - Photo: TU TRUNG

We need a high-quality workforce.

From a business perspective, Ms. Hoai Ngoc, director of NutsHealth nutritional supplement company (Ho Chi Minh City), also expects: "5G will make selling to customers and transacting with partners easier, anytime, anywhere. High-speed connectivity will help customers enjoy new online experiences, making it easier for them to make purchases."

Speaking to Tuổi Trẻ about the impacts of 5G on people and businesses in Vietnam, Mr. Nguyen The Kha, commercial director of the FPT Shop retail system, said that 5G is expected to make a positive and significant contribution to socio-economic development.

For citizens, 5G can help improve the quality of life by providing new services and applications. For example, 5G can be used to improve the quality of education, healthcare, and transportation, simplify administrative procedures, and provide high-quality streaming television, virtual reality (AR), and augmented reality (VR).

For the socio-economic landscape in general, 5G can boost economic growth by creating new industries and jobs. This will, in turn, generate more high-tech jobs for engineers who can fully utilize the benefits of 5G technology.

Furthermore, 5G can drive scientific innovation by providing the speed and low latency necessary for advanced applications such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). For example, 5G can be used to develop new medical diagnostic methods, intelligent transportation methods, and new manufacturing methods that primarily utilize robots.

"Overall, 5G offers great potential for the country's development. However, to fully utilize 5G resources for development, thorough and comprehensive investment and preparation are needed in all aspects: infrastructure with widespread coverage networks and broadcasting equipment; high-quality human resources capable of researching, operating, and developing 5G-based applications; and costs for users, including the price of 5G equipment and services," Mr. Kha stated.

100% of provinces and cities will have 5G next year.

According to the Digital Infrastructure Strategy to 2025 and orientation to 2030, recently approved by the Prime Minister on October 9, 2024, the goal is that by 2025, 100% of provinces, cities, high-tech zones, concentrated information technology zones, research and development centers, innovation centers, industrial parks, train stations, seaports, and international airports will have 5G mobile services. And by 2030, 5G mobile broadband networks will cover 99% of the population.

The search for 5G is booming.

According to Cốc Cốc user search data, the number of searches for keywords containing the word "5G" in Vietnam began to increase sharply from October 7, 2024. While the keyword "5G Viettel" ranked only 11th based on the total search volume from August 1st to the present, considering only the last four days, this keyword has seen a search volume equal to one-quarter of the previous total, rising to second place among the most searched keywords.

Ms. Mai Thi Thanh Oanh, Deputy General Director of Coc Coc, shared: "We hope that network operators will quickly roll out 5G coverage widely, and at the same time introduce good policies on 5G tariffs so that people can easily access and use it as soon as possible."

We believe that 5G will be a major boost, not only enhancing user experience but also contributing to breakthrough growth in service quality and user base for digital platforms."

What do I need to do to use 5G?

To experience 5G services, users must be subscribers to a 5G-enabled network and be in a 5G coverage area. Additionally, users must be using a 5G-compatible smartphone and have 5G mode enabled.

Users can use their 4G SIM without needing to switch to a 5G SIM. Some subscribers will automatically connect to 5G, but in other cases, users may need to receive an invitation message from the network provider or actively register for a 5G package.

To find out if your phone supports 5G, you can check the 5G logo on the device. Alternatively, you can check the technical information on the phone's packaging/user manual/manufacturer's website. Or, you can check if the network settings on your phone display a 5G network option.

What are Singapore and Thailand doing with 5G?

Singapore: A tool for socio-economic development

According to Statista data, Singapore is at the forefront of leveraging 5G resources as a tool for socio-economic development, not only through network deployment but also through technology application, in line with Singapore's Smart Nation initiative. Singtel, StarHub, and M1 are the carriers responsible for operating the 5G network in Singapore.

The rollout of 5G in this country has exceeded expectations, particularly with Singtel achieving over 95% standalone 5G coverage in 2022 – three years ahead of the government's initial target. This makes Singapore the first country in the world to be fully covered by a standalone 5G network as of July 2022.

However, Singapore's 5G goals extend beyond nationwide coverage. The island nation also aims to become a global hub for mobile communications technology research and development, through a collaboration with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) to establish the first 6G research and development lab in Southeast Asia.

With the rapid development of 5G networks, Singapore could witness a wave of 5G technology adoption across various aspects of life through systems deployed by Singtel, such as automated factory inspections and smart city planning, encompassing improvements in transportation, energy grids, healthcare, and public security.

Furthermore, the maritime industry – a crucial sector for Singapore – has also significantly benefited from 5G. In August 2022, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) partnered with Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to develop a 5G system for the maritime sector, aiming to expand automated 5G coverage to all seaports by 2025.

A payphone booth has been converted into a multimedia experience kiosk, offering free 5G services from Singtel on Orchard Road (Singapore) - Photo: SINGTEL

Thailand: The "heart" determines the future.

Thailand is also one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to deploy 5G services. Since February 2020, major carriers in the country such as AIS, True, and DTAC have begun developing 5G infrastructure.

In September 2024, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand (NBTC) announced plans to auction off frequency bands in the 2.1 GHz and 2.3 GHz ranges early next year, aiming to facilitate mobile operators' upgrades to 5G-Advanced (an upgraded version of the current 5G network) and pave the way for 6G in the future, according to OpenGov Asia.

The Bangkok Post calls 5G the "heart" that will determine Thailand's future. 5G technology has already brought about significant changes in the country's service and commercial sectors and is expected to reach a total value of approximately US$19 billion by 2030. Furthermore, 5G could create around 130,000 jobs by 2030.

Thailand has applied 5G to many aspects of life, such as upgrading smart cities; remote healthcare; automating factory production processes; applying IoT (Internet of Things) sensor systems to monitor soil conditions, weather, and crop health; upgrading learning experiences with AR/VR technology combined with online learning; developing cloud systems in the media and entertainment industry; automating port and ship management; and providing smart tourism solutions.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ky-vong-nhieu-dot-pha-moi-voi-5g-20241015083600001.htm