Explaining customer questions about converting 2G to 4G

Active support

Recently (September 13), the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) issued Circular No. 10/2024/TT-BTTTT to suspend the implementation of some contents of Circular No. 03/2024 and 04/2024 of the MIC related to frequency planning for the IMT public terrestrial mobile information system. This Circular will extend the 2G Only service provision period by one month, meaning that 2G waves will be turned off on October 15 instead of September 15 as previously prescribed.

Thus, users of 2G Only devices will have 1 more month to upgrade and switch to using 4G technology phones or higher.

Director of MobiFone Thua Thien Hue Phan Van Hoai said that telecommunications businesses are happy because "there is more time, making it convenient for the network operator to support 2G Only subscribers to switch to 4G".

As of September 17, MobiFone Thua Thien Hue still had about 8,700 customers who had not converted. With a large number of subscribers, during this time, MobiFone province has stepped up direct communication to customers. “In addition to online communication, we send staff to “knock on every door”, send messages, and call customers to invite them to MobiFone branches and stores for guidance and support. For elderly and lonely customers, staff will come directly to help,” said Mr. Hoai.

As the network with the largest number of customers, Viettel currently has only 4,000 2G customers who have not yet converted. "We strive to complete the upgrade to 4G for these subscribers by the end of September," affirmed Viettel Thua Thien Hue Director Nguyen Huy Quang.

Previously, the number of 2G subscribers of Viettel province was more than 400,000. In order for all Viettel customers to switch to 4G service before completely shutting down 2G, this network has had many conversion programs with attractive incentives. In addition, Viettel also has a policy of supporting free 4G phone devices for poor customers who are using Viettel's network. "In particular, with 22 localities identified as poor communes in the province, regardless of whether the household is poor or not, as long as the customer is using Viettel network, we will convert the customer to 4G for free," said Mr. Quang.

VinaPhone network "joined hands" to cooperate with the Mobile World/Dien May Xanh chain to support users to change to 2G devices, bringing unprecedented incentives, "creating the most favorable conditions to help customers upgrade their devices", said Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thuy, Deputy Director of VNPT Thua Thien Hue, Director of Business Center.

During the "sprint" phase, VinaPhone 2G subscribers enjoy a series of incentives from both brands, making the device upgrade process simple and effective.

Will support 4G phones

According to Deputy Director of the Department of Information and Communications Bui Hoang Minh, the roadmap to stop providing services for 2G devices in October 2024 is an important step forward, part of the trend of technology development and digital transformation of the country.

Before the 2G shutdown (September 15), due to the sudden increase in demand, there was a situation where stores and distributors did not have enough goods to meet the needs of users. However, the Ministry of Information and Communications has extended the shutdown period to October 15, so the "shortage" and shortage of goods no longer exist.

The provincial MobiFone director said that to meet the demand for upgrading phones to 4G, the provincial MobiFone has distributed nearly 1,700 phones to customers and is preparing about 800 more. "The arrival of goods may be a little delayed, but there will be no shortage of 4G phones for people when the 2G signal is turned off," said Mr. Phan Van Hoai.

The director of Viettel province informed that smartphones are not in short supply. 4G push-button phones are also available for customers on the distribution channel. “4G devices were only in short supply before September 15. Now, Viettel has 4,000 customers who have not yet switched, but there are still more than 3,000 devices in stock. The goal is to ensure that 100% of customers can maintain contact by October 15,” said Mr. Quang.

According to the leader of the Department of Information and Communications, with network operators releasing thousands of 4G devices to support customers, and at the same time, companies, phone supermarkets, and stores are also importing devices and releasing them to the market, there will be no shortage of devices when people upgrade to 4G on October 15.

Article and photos: LIEN MINH