Hanoi (VNA) – As the 2G mobile network is about to be turned off nationwide on September 15, the northern province of Quang Ninh is augmenting efforts to assist locals to switch to 4G services and phones.
Viettel is the telecoms service provider that has the largest number of subscribers using 2G-only mobile devices, about 90,000. So far, all the 2G SIM cards have been successfully switched to 4G ones. The firm is also stepping up the conversion from 2G-only mobile phones to 4G devices by helping users of about 25,000 such phones to ensure the shift is completed before September 15.
Vinaphone, an affiliate of the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), has also been deploying personnel to residential areas to encourage, guide, and assist local residents to upgrade their SIM cards and phones to 4G ones.
Service suppliers are also enhancing coordination with local authorities to carry out the work.
Pham Van Luyen, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Thong Nhat commune in Ha Long city, said more than three months ago, there were over 1,000 households using 2G-only phones. Authorities have worked with network operators to encourage them to conduct the transition, and now many people have switched to 4G devices.
So far, nearly 85,300 2G subscriptions across the province have been shifted to 4G, equivalent to 74% of the total 2G subscriptions. The over 29,900 remainders are being supported to make the change.
Tong Dang Dung, Deputy Director of VNPT Quang Ninh, said his company has fulfilled over 70% of the plan, and there remain nearly 2,000 subscribers who haven’t changed to 4G phones. It is determined to complete the transition before September 15 so that all clients can use services smoothly when the 2G network is turned off.
In addition, service providers are also boosting the installation of 4G and 5G base stations, raising the number of such facilities in Quang Ninh to 3,177 at present./.
