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Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung affirmed that Vietnam is developing 5G technology based on the Open RAN standard. Vietnam's 5G network will also use this open standard. (Photo: VT)

According to network operators, the goal of Open RAN is to enable more partners to participate in the research and production of 5G telecommunications equipment – ​​a playing field previously dominated by only a few manufacturers worldwide .

Previously, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung stated that countries can only have digital trust when the technology they use is open technology. Open technology allows countries to master the technology they use. Currently, many countries have declared that they will only purchase technology when it is open, especially when that technology is used to build national infrastructure.

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung affirmed that Vietnam is developing 5G technology based on the Open RAN standard. Vietnam's 5G network will also use open standards.

“For a developing country like Vietnam, if we want to move ahead, we must stand on the shoulders of others. Choosing to develop open technology, open-source software, and open data to allow individuals and businesses to participate in creating new value is our direction. With this direction, Vietnam will develop into a technology-driven nation, based on and inheriting human knowledge, but also contributing to human knowledge,” Minister Nguyen Manh Hung said.

Sharing his thoughts on this matter, Mr. Nguyen Minh Quang, Deputy General Director of Viettel High Tech, stated that Viettel High Tech and its strategic partner Qualcomm have mastered Open RAN technology and are ready to commercialize 5G gNodeB base station equipment, based on advanced chipsets from Qualcomm.

“Telecommunications networks are the lifeblood of the national digital infrastructure. Self-reliance in technology and the production of telecommunications infrastructure equipment is not just a task, but a mission for Viettel, propelling Vietnam further in its national ‘Make in Vietnam’ strategy. Prior to the Open RAN project with Qualcomm, Viettel had already developed and mastered 4G and 5G base station systems, successfully deploying them across its network. These are solid steps that help Viettel realize its vision of technological mastery and lay the foundation for the national telecommunications industry,” said Mr. Nguyen Minh Quang.

Mr. Quang added that, in the context of Open RAN, Viettel and Qualcomm have collaborated to develop 5G Open RAN equipment, expanding telecommunications networks with high customizability, flexible integration, and international standards. Viettel has strengths in mastering systems and rapidly deploying solutions on its own network, while Qualcomm possesses experience in optimizing radio chipset platforms. This collaboration is not only strategic but also demonstrates a shared commitment, as our 5G base station products are ready for commercialization, opening a new chapter in the telecommunications industry not only in Vietnam but also in international markets.

“We hope that the first 5G Open RAN Connect event in Vietnam will be a major step forward, creating opportunities for experts from Viettel, Qualcomm, and global partners to connect, collaborate, and share the most advanced knowledge on Open RAN trends,” Mr. Quang said.

Sharing his views on this issue, Mr. Nguyen Thien Nghia, Director of the Information Technology Industry Department (Ministry of Information and Communications), said that while only 2% of Vietnam's population owned mobile devices in 1999, this figure has now risen to 98%, with coverage reaching 99%.

Mr. Nguyen Thien Nghia stated that the 5G equipment market is currently dominated by three major suppliers, making it difficult for new businesses to enter. However, Open RAN will reduce the reliance on a single partner, ensuring greater flexibility for network operators. The collaboration between Viettel and Qualcomm contributes positively to this ecosystem.

Speaking about the collaboration between Viettel and Qualcomm to promote Open RAN, Lynne Gadkowski, Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, said that Open RAN is being supported by the governments of many countries. Both Viettel and Qualcomm will contribute significantly to the technological journey in the telecommunications sector. In 2025, Vietnam and the U.S. will celebrate their cooperation, and this collaboration will bring advanced technology and open opportunities to help Vietnam advance in digital transformation. Currently, Viettel has deployed 25,000 Open RAN devices to supply the Vietnamese market and the global market, enhancing Vietnam's reputation in 5G telecommunications equipment manufacturing.

Lynne Gadkowski believes that 5G networks need to boost coverage and cost-effectiveness, opening up opportunities for the development of smart cities, healthcare, education, etc. 5G will be widely developed and present in Vietnam. We have had two decades of cooperation between Viettel and Qualcomm and will further promote the partnership between the two countries, together advancing a sustainable and adaptable digital future.

Addressing this issue, Ms. Jeanette Whyte, Director of Policy at GSMA in Asia Pacific, also affirmed that more and more carriers are deploying Open RAN, and this will be a global trend. Open RAN helps countries and carriers transform their networks. This technology separates hardware and software to give carriers flexibility in choosing partners and reduce investment costs.

However, Open RAN also faces barriers such as reliability, level of integration into systems, network quality, etc., but countries are cooperating to overcome these obstacles. In addition, promoting Open RAN requires legal support from countries.