Viettel and its journey to bring 5G Open RAN technology to the world.

Combining domestic resources and international technology.

Recently, Light Reading, a leading global telecommunications technology website based in the US, published a prominent article titled "Vietnam has become a big deal for Qualcomm in 5G RAN," highlighting the increasingly important role of Vietnam, especially Viettel, in the global 5G ecosystem.

Light Reading notes that Viettel is currently one of Qualcomm's strategic partners in the commercialization of 5G radio access networks (RAN) based on open architecture (Open RAN). Viettel High Tech, with its core software development capabilities for 5G, has become a key link in creating a "Make in Vietnam" 5G network, where Viettel-developed software is combined with low-latency hardware from Qualcomm.

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Viettel is currently one of Qualcomm's strategic partners in the journey to commercialize 5G Open RAN networks.

Another noteworthy point is that Vietnam, with its young workforce and open mechanisms for research and development, is increasingly attracting major technology companies. In this context, Viettel has an advantage due to its large scale, strong workforce, and extensive infrastructure network. Light Reading quoted Gerardo Giaretta, General Manager of Qualcomm's 5G infrastructure division, as saying: "They have a talented internal development team and a group of engineers who are eager to succeed."

With a strategy focused on developing domestic technology combined with solutions from major technology partners like Qualcomm, Viettel is being evaluated as one of the network operators with a unique and bold approach in the deployment of 5G. Light Reading notes that Viettel's 5G deployment stands out because it is a rare example of a network operator developing its own network technology, with most of the network operating software coming directly from Viettel High Tech, Viettel's main R&D unit. This is a significant step forward compared to the common deployment trend of most other network operators.

Opportunities for international expansion

Also mentioning Viettel's practical deployment of 5G technology, Nigerian media assessed that the cooperation between Viettel High Tech and Casade Defence Systems (a leading Nigerian enterprise) in deploying the first private 5G network in the country will usher in an unprecedented era of high-speed, modern, and stable internet connectivity for the Nigerian people.

Business Africa Digest quoted Professor John Ifediora, Chairman of Casade Defence Systems, as saying that Viettel's 5G Private solution is now available in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. He also emphasized that this advanced technology is poised for global expansion, with a focus on Africa, particularly remote areas, coastal regions, and communities without internet access in Nigeria. Africa can fully leverage this technology to bridge the digital divide, boost economic growth, and enhance its industrialization capabilities.

The article in Light Reading also emphasizes that Viettel's success in Vietnam could become an international springboard for both Viettel and Qualcomm. Viettel currently operates in many countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Mozambique, and Peru, where 5G networks are not yet widely deployed. This is seen as an opportunity for Viettel to replicate its self-developed 5G model in many new markets.

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Viettel's 5G network equipment has the opportunity to expand into the international telecommunications market.

Sharing Viettel's journey in mastering Open RAN and 5G technology at the recent GSMA Digital Nation Summit in Vietnam, Mr. Tran Van Tung, Deputy Director of Viettel High Tech's Broadband Wireless Center, said that initially Viettel only developed 4G infrastructure, but with a clear direction, the team quickly moved on to researching and developing 5G from 2018. Although not an early operator, Viettel High Tech is one of the pioneers in core technology R&D. Open RAN is not only a technical solution but also a platform for cooperation between network operators, businesses, research institutes, and the government . Thanks to support from Qualcomm and many technology partners, Viettel High Tech has had early access to modern chipsets and is one of the leading Open RAN manufacturers globally.

Previously, at the launch ceremony for the commercialization of Viettel's 5G Open RAN (Radio Network Access Point) in late 2024, Viettel High Tech's General Director, Mr. Nguyen Vu Ha, also emphasized that Viettel High Tech has completed its portfolio of comprehensive 5G solutions, from core networks to radio frequency arrays (RANs). Accordingly, Viettel High Tech will gradually penetrate the global market. The Vietnamese market will be the foundation for 5G products "Made by Viettel" to expand further into the world.

“According to the plan, 2,000 5G Open RAN stations will be deployed in Vietnam in 2025. Alongside the domestic market, Viettel High Tech will actively promote 5G products internationally, including India and potential markets such as the Middle East in the future,” said Mr. Nguyen Vu Ha.

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