Viettel successfully auctioned the right to use the 2500-2600 MHz band for the 5G network.

Viettel has officially successfully auctioned the right to use radio frequencies for the 2500-2600 MHz band for the next 15 years.

On the evening of March 8, the Military Industry - Telecommunications Group (Viettel) announced that it had officially successfully auctioned the right to use radio frequencies for the 2500-2600 MHz band for the next 15 years at a price of more than VND 7,533 billion. The auction was organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications, taking place on the afternoon of March 8, with the participation of 4 telecommunications enterprises.

The 2500-2600 MHz frequency band is planned by the Ministry of Information and Communications to deploy mobile information systems according to 5G, 4G standards and subsequent technologies. In mid-January 2024, the Minister of Information and Communications approved the plan to organize an auction of radio frequency usage rights for 3 frequency bands for 5G. Specifically, the starting price of the 2500-2600 MHz frequency band for 15 years of use is nearly 4,000 billion VND; the starting price of the 3700-3800 MHz frequency band for 15 years of use is nearly 2,000 billion VND; the starting price of the 3800-3900 MHz frequency band for 15 years of use is also nearly 2,000 billion VND. The 2500-2600 MHz frequency band is considered the "golden band" for 5G and 4G service deployment, with lower investment costs, hence the significantly higher starting price compared to the other two frequency bands. Following the auction on the afternoon of March 8th, there will be two more auctions for the remaining two frequency bands in the near future.

Recently, Viettel has installed and provided 5G service on trial in many localities across the country.

Viettel Group's leaders said that the 2500-2600 MHz frequency band is of special importance because this is an effective frequency band for Viettel to deploy simultaneously for both 4G and 5G mobile networks, thereby improving the quality of current 4G services and officially providing 5G services. This is also the optimal frequency band with a coverage area 1.3 times larger than the C band (3500 MHz).

Viettel's winning the auction for the right to use radio frequencies to deploy the 5G mobile network is a necessary condition for Viettel to accompany the development trend of telecommunications technology in the world, continue to develop the 4G network and switch to 5G technology. In addition, this is also a roadmap to promote the development of national digital infrastructure, digital service ecosystem, create new driving forces for economic growth and increase labor productivity. Currently, 5G devices researched and manufactured by Viettel are ready to run on the 2500 - 2600 MHz band. Viettel plans to launch the 5G network nationwide in the near future.

On January 11, 2024, the Prime Minister approved the Information and Communications Infrastructure Planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050 in Vietnam. The planning sets a target of a minimum average download speed of 100 Mbps for the 5G network by 2025, and 5G network coverage of 99% of the population by 2030. To realize the above goals, 2024 is the right time to license the 5G commercialization band. The Ministry of Information and Communications has set the direction that 2024 is the year of universalization of digital infrastructure. Vietnam's digital infrastructure must have super-large capacity, super-wide bandwidth, be universal, sustainable, green, smart, open and secure. This infrastructure must be prioritized for investment, modernization and be one step ahead to promote national digital transformation, develop the digital economy and digital society.

TRAN BINH

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