VNPT staff check and reconnect the network system for customers.

Existence, passivity

The prolonged heavy rains and floods in late October and early November caused severe flooding in many areas of Hue city, especially low-lying areas. Many places experienced signal loss and internet connectivity disruptions. However, the communication system in the area remained largely intact, contributing effectively to the disaster prevention and control efforts of the authorities at all levels.

During the recent floods, due to deep flooding and widespread power outages, some telecommunications companies were unable to operate backup generators, causing communication disruptions at 265 base transceiver stations (BTS) during peak days. Of these, VNPT lost 110 stations, Viettel 35, and MobiFone 120. Once the water receded and power was restored, the stations quickly recovered and resumed stable operation.

Mr. Phan Van Hoai, Director of MobiFone Hue, said that the recent floods had a significant impact on the operation of telecommunication base stations. MobiFone Hue mobilized all resources to overcome the problems and maintain communication for the people. Learning from the floods at the end of October, the unit has remedied the situation by arranging backup BTS stations, preparing fuel and mobile generators for the stations, and strengthening on-site emergency response capabilities.

Environmentally friendly camouflaged BTS towers combine lighting, surveillance cameras, Wi-Fi, and the Hue-S platform.

In fact, Hue's digital telecommunications infrastructure in the 2020-2025 period has achieved many positive results: 100% of villages and hamlets are covered by mobile and fixed broadband, and the percentage of households connected to fiber optic internet has reached 85%. However, some targets have not yet been met, such as the mobile broadband subscriber rate per 100 people, which is only 87%; and the percentage of users accessing broadband speeds ≥1 Gbps/s, which is only 8%.

Several subjective limitations are also evident: many BTS stations are still installed on residential rooftops, causing aesthetic problems and posing safety risks. Antenna structures built over 15 years ago have low resistance to storms of level 13 or higher. Fuel and generator backups for prolonged natural disasters are still inadequate. Furthermore, funding for undergrounding and upgrading telecommunications infrastructure from corporations and general companies for their branches in Hue is limited, affecting the city's plan implementation progress. Some ring transmission lines are broken due to landslides, and businesses lack backup microwave transmission solutions, leading to communication disruptions.

According to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), ensuring the sustainability and resilience of digital telecommunications infrastructure to natural disasters is a mandatory requirement in the digital transformation process. Technology not only serves socio-economic development but also acts as a tool for responding to natural disaster risks. Therefore, BTS stations and transmission systems must be designed to meet disaster risk resilience standards of level 4 or higher, as stipulated in Circular 14/2025/TT-BKHCN dated August 8, 2025, of the Ministry of Science and Technology, which regulates the organization and assurance of communication for the direction and management of natural disaster prevention and control.

Integrated and sustainable investment

Hue City is currently focusing on eliminating "coverage gaps," expanding 4G and 5G networks, and promoting the undergrounding of telecommunications cables to ensure both urban aesthetics and meet the requirements for speed and information security. The goal is for Hue to be among the top 10 localities nationwide in terms of digital infrastructure index by 2030.

According to the City People's Committee's Digital Infrastructure Development Plan for the period 2026-2030, digital infrastructure must be "modern, synchronized, safe, efficient, and green," with investments made ahead of other essential infrastructures such as transportation, electricity, lighting, and underground works. By 2030, Hue will have city-wide 5G coverage, conduct 6G network trials, develop 1Gb/s fiber optic infrastructure for 100% of users, and completely transition the Internet network to IPv6, ready for IPv6-only and the Internet of Things.

Currently, the city has approximately 1,500 BTS stations. The plan for the period 2026-2030 is for telecommunications companies to invest in an additional 801 new stations: VNPT will develop 489 stations, MobiFone 215 stations, and Viettel 97 stations. Of these, more than 62% of the new BTS stations will be built using an "environmentally friendly camouflage tower" design, incorporating lighting, surveillance cameras, Wi-Fi, and the Hue-S platform.

To achieve the set goals, the city and telecommunications businesses prioritize investing in undergrounding and upgrading telecommunications cables along key routes. They are developing integrated, environmentally friendly BTS stations, gradually replacing rooftop BTS stations; strengthening robust, disaster-resistant BTS stations, especially in remote, flood-prone areas; and adding backup microwave transmission lines in mountainous regions prone to disruption during natural disasters. Furthermore, the city encourages businesses to collaborate in sharing technical infrastructure, reducing costs and improving interoperability.

The Department of Science and Technology affirms that the development of digital telecommunications infrastructure must be linked to the criteria of "sustainability, intelligence, and security," aiming towards a unified data platform to serve digital government, smart cities, and the digital lives of citizens. Investing in, modernizing, and strengthening the resilience of telecommunications infrastructure will not only help Hue effectively respond to natural disasters and climate change, but also create conditions for building a smart and sustainable city.

Text and photos: HOAI THUONG

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/kinh-te/khoa-hoc-cong-nghe/nang-cap-ha-tang-vien-thong-so-hien-dai-than-thien-159871.html