If I don't use my SIM card because I haven't converted my 2G phone to 4G, will my account be locked?

So what should subscribers using old 2G phones, also known as "brick" phones, do to continue communicating?

According to Circular No. 10/2024/TT-BTTTT of the Ministry of Information and Communications , by the end of October 15 (from 0:00 on October 16), network operators will officially stop 2G technology. Subscribers using 2G technology devices will be locked in both directions and cannot continue to use.

2G signal officially shut down today, October 16, 2G "brick" phones have been blocked from communication. Photo: TN

According to the network operators, by the time the 2G signal is turned off, there will be about 600,000 mobile subscribers still using 2G devices. For subscribers who have not yet switched to 4G, when making the first call of the day, there will be a notification sound to let customers know that they need to switch to 4G. The network operators also support free text messaging syntax to let customers know whether their device is eligible to be converted from 2G to 4G or not.

According to the regulations of the network operators, the accounts of SIM cards that are not used within 2 months will be locked and revoked. However, to support customers in converting from 2G to 4G, Mr. Nguyen Trong Tinh, Deputy General Director of Viettel Telecom, said that Viettel will propose a special policy for the remaining 2G subscribers to extend the time for customers to convert. Viettel also gives away phones to customers who are using phones with only 2G technology operating on the Viettel network and have not yet been able to convert to 4G. The supported phone models are 4G phones that meet basic calling needs or phones with additional Cloud phone features that can access OTT applications and phones with keyboards, loud volume, and voice support when dialing numbers for elderly customers. Each customer is free or buys a promotional phone only once.

Mr. Do Manh Dung, Acting Director of VNPT VinaPhone's Personal Customer Department, said that this network will continue to maintain the policy of giving away phones, supporting phones for customers, and supporting customers at points of sale as well as directly at home.

For Mobifone network, from today, the network will block the device but still retain the account and subscription for customers, so that customers have time to convert, ensuring the customer's account is preserved. Subscribers who have converted from feature phone to smartphone, and paid for the device themselves will receive a free package. Vinaphone will continue to maintain the policy of giving away devices, supporting devices for customers, and continue to support customers at transaction points, as well as directly at home for customers to use the service.

Mr. Nguyen Phong Nha, Deputy Director of the Department of Telecommunications (Ministry of Information and Communications) said that after October 15, for locked subscribers, network operators need to continue to ensure the rights of users. "Enterprises must be responsible for maintaining phone numbers, packages, and policies with old subscribers. Users can continue to go to service providers or through phone numbers to receive full instructions for the conversion." Mr. Nha also suggested that there may be users who have not yet received information or have not had the opportunity to change their phones with the network operator, so the media agencies should work with state agencies and telecommunications enterprises to communicate to users.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/sim-khong-su-dung-do-chua-chuyen-doi-may-2g-len-4g-co-bi-khoa-tai-khoan-10292424.html