To avoid communication interruptions from September 16, users need to switch to using basic phones that support 4G or smartphones.

The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) said that it will not re-grant the 900MHz and 1800MHz bands to the current network operators and they will expire on September 15. The network operators will be forced to turn off 2G waves according to the given roadmap.

September 15 is the deadline to stop providing services to 2G Only phone subscribers (which are SIM cards that only have 2G, installed in "brick" phones that only have 2G features. Smartphones with SIM cards that integrate 2G, 3G, 4G still use 2G waves normally) and by September 2026, 2G will be completely stopped, except for some special cases such as in the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos and DK platform. During the period from September 2024 to September 2026, the 2G network system will still be maintained but no new subscribers will be developed.

Cutting 2G waves brings many benefits to individuals, businesses and the whole society. For individuals, cutting 2G waves helps eliminate low-quality services, moving towards using high technology for a smoother experience. For businesses, cutting 2G waves contributes to promoting the development of green technology, reducing the cost of exploiting old frequency bands. For society, cutting 2G waves brings important results, helping to promote the whole society to develop towards national digital transformation.

Currently, network operators have come up with plans to promote the conversion such as subsidizing "brick" phones or cheap smartphones, increasing 4G coverage and turning off hundreds of 2G stations in the area. In case users still use devices that support 2G networks (2G Only), they risk not being able to use the service. Network operators also cannot intervene because the 900/1800MHz frequency band license - which is the main frequency used for 2G services in Vietnam - will expire at that time. However, statistics from network operators in the area show that Thua Thien Hue still has thousands of 2G subscribers in use.

Over the past 2 years, VNPT has proactively turned off individual stations that do not generate or generate very little traffic. With the number of VinaPhone 2G customers remaining at about 14,000, VNPT province has also deployed solutions to support customers in switching. Viettel is also ready to turn off 2G. Director of Viettel Thua Thien Hue Nguyen Huy Quang informed that the network will choose areas with low traffic to gradually turn off 2G waves and ensure 4G coverage in all Viettel areas, including remote areas...

As the network operator with the largest number of customers, Viettel province currently has about 42,000 customers using 2G. "We have made a relatively good transition, with 3,000 - 4,000 2G subscribers switching to 4G, 5G each month. More importantly, the Department of Information and Communications needs to step up propaganda about the 2G wave cutting roadmap so that people and customers know," Mr. Quang suggested. Accompanying customers in the process of upgrading mobile technology, Viettel has recently launched many attractive programs such as 50% discount on phones, selling phones for 0 VND with the condition that customers commit to using the packages within 6 months; there are cheap phones from only 195,000 VND/phone for people...

Meanwhile, the network operator MobiFone believes that in order to completely turn off 2G waves, the network operators need to implement this plan synchronously throughout society, turning this plan into a campaign so that people understand that this is an upgrade, instead of elimination. “In Thua Thien Hue, MobiFone has turned off 140/350 2G stations, striving to turn off about 80% of the existing 2G stations by September 15. Up to now, MobiFone still has over 17,500 subscribers using 2G devices. The enterprise has combined both technical activities as well as direct communication to subscribers in districts, towns and cities; coordinated with the Provincial Electricity Company to replace 4G SIM cards for all electricity metering devices in the whole province. Set up support points to advise and give 4G devices to eligible customers at MobiFone stores with a large number of customers…”, said Director of MobiFone province Phan Van Hoai.

According to the Department of Information and Communications, in the past time, the unit and mobile telecommunications enterprises have communicated information related to the shutdown of 2G waves to users on Hue-S as well as appropriate media... The Department also requested local authorities to actively communicate so that people can grasp the policy and proactively switch from 2G devices to using 4G technology phones or higher. Information about programs to support funding for purchasing 4G smartphones or 4G feature phones and there are packages to support subscribers to switch, implemented until September 16, 2024.

“We also request that businesses prevent the entry of 2G phones that are not certified to comply with regulations. Previously, the Ministry of Information and Communications requested that telecommunications businesses develop mobile base stations to ensure 4G network coverage to replace 2G networks and complete this work before September 2026,” said Director of the Department of Information and Communications Nguyen Xuan Son.

Article and photos: LIEN MINH