Nokia's presence in Vietnam

Nokia provides 5G base station equipment to all three major carriers, as the 5G network in Vietnam is expected to expand to 90% of the population this year.

Nokia and VNPT have reached an agreement to deploy 5G AirScale equipment by the end of 2024. Photo: VNPT .

“Vietnam has deployed 5G in 2024 and we are focusing on this market from a wireless technology perspective. We have a significant market share in all three mobile telecommunications service providers,” Hiro Miura, Regional Director for Southeast Asia, Mobile Networks Division of Nokia Corporation, shared with Tri Thuc - Znews at the annual partner event held in Vietnam.

Perfect timing for 5G deployment

Nokia representatives did not mention specific market shares at the three major carriers - Viettel, VinaPhone and MobiFone , but information from the carriers shows that the Finnish company has cooperated with the carriers to build 5G deployment points, using signal processing and radio transceiver equipment in Nokia's 5G AirScale product portfolio.

Information in October 2024 from Nokia and VNPT also said that Nokia will deploy 5G AirScale products to build 5G network infrastructure for VNPT, without mentioning the scope of deployment.

By the end of 2024, both Viettel and VNPT will have 5G coverage in all provinces and cities in Vietnam with limited coverage, focusing on some densely populated areas. MobiFone also officially announced the provision of commercial 5G services last March.

Mr. Hiro Miura, Regional Director of Southeast Asia, Mobile Networks Division of Nokia Corporation. Photo: NA.

Nokia representative said that 5G in our country, although behind some countries in the region, was deployed at a perfect time.

"Many countries that deployed early encountered business problems - return on investment used to be a big difficulty with this technology. In terms of technology, 5G technology is now mature, there are standards for 5G SA and 5G Advanced, the problems encountered in the past have all been overcome," said Mr. Hiro Miura.

To date, 5G networks in Vietnam cover 26% of the population and the target is 90% by the end of the year, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology at the first 6-month review conference. It is expected that by the end of 2025, Vietnam will have more than 68,000 5G stations. Vietnam also aims to have 5G coverage nationwide by 2030, according to Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation.

“We really appreciate Vietnam for its willingness to make changes for a better future, including digital transformation and the decision of the Ministry of Science and Technology to promote 5G and even sponsor carriers to actively expand 5G networks,” said Mr. Miura.

Resolution No. 193 on piloting special mechanisms and policies to create breakthroughs in science, technology and digital transformation allows piloting support for 5G development costs, specifically 15% of equipment costs if network operators deploy 20,000 more stations before the end of 2025. The Ministry of Science and Technology said that so far, 2 network operators have registered to participate.

Viettel and VNPT both said they will deploy 20,000 more 5G stations this year.

No conflict with the 'Make in Vietnam' goal

Nokia's representative in Vietnam also said that the wireless equipment business does not conflict with the company's customers - Vietnamese network operators - researching and developing telecommunications equipment, and is ready to support the production and deployment of 'Make in Vietnam' equipment.

“Nokia is one of the telecommunications equipment suppliers supporting and promoting Open RAN. I understand that Vietnam is looking forward to becoming a technologically advanced country and is promoting the ‘Make in Vietnam’ initiative. For our customers involved in manufacturing similar telecommunications equipment, we welcome cooperation if needed, through Open RAN,” said Mr. Miura.

Mr. Hiro Miura, Southeast Asia Regional Director, Mobile Networks Division of Nokia Corporation (left) in a meeting with the General Director of Viettel Group in February. Photo: Viettel .

Open RAN or Open Radio Access Network is an open radio access network architecture that allows the use of equipment and software from many different vendors to work together through standardized protocols. Viettel is one of the network operators in the world that is researching, developing and deploying Open RAN equipment.

In a financial report at the end of 2024, Nokia mentioned winning contracts to supply telecommunications equipment in Vietnam, along with the markets of Brazil, Japan, India, and New Zealand as the company's successes of the year.

Source: https://znews.vn/su-hien-dien-cua-nokia-tai-viet-nam-post1569169.html