Installed 11,591 5G BTS stations, nearly 8% of the number of 4G stations

Network operators plan to speed up the installation of 5G BTS. Photo: VNPT

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology , as of early May 2025, network operators have installed 11,591 5G base transceiver stations (BTS), equivalent to 7.72% of 4G stations. About 26% of the population has access to 5G services.

According to the plan, the number of 5G stations will gradually increase in the last months of 2025. Specifically, the ratio of 5G stations/4G stations will reach 10.3% in May; 14.9% in September; 24.9% in October; 43.7% in November; and reach 57.5% in December 2025.

Currently, 4G mobile coverage has reached 99.8% of the population; 99.3% of villages have mobile broadband connections. The rate of mobile phone subscribers using smartphones is 90.5%. Mobile broadband access speed is 150.43 Mbps (assessed by Speedtest).

Previously, after receiving the license to establish a network and provide services in 2024, the Military Industry-Telecoms Group (Viettel) launched 5G services in October 2024. Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) launched 5G in December 2024. MobiFone Telecommunications Corporation launched 5G services in March 2025.

This afternoon, May 17, representatives of some network operators said that the reason why the number of newly installed 5G BTS stations is concentrated in the last months of the year is because of the need to carry out bidding procedures.

According to regulations, the bidding procedure lasts 3 months. Equipment installation also takes about 2-3 months.

At the 2nd meeting of the Government Steering Committee on Science, Technology, Innovation, Digital Transformation and Project 06 held this morning, May 17, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assigned relevant ministries and branches to develop synchronous and modern digital infrastructure, especially telecommunications satellites, national telecommunications backbones, expand 5G coverage, Internet of Things infrastructure and put the National Data Center into operation...

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/lap-11-591-tram-bts-5g-gan-bang-8-so-tram-4g-702598.html