Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnamese telecom operators are fast-tracking plans to discontinue 2G services by September 2026, in line with a national frequency reorganisation aimed at bolstering 4G and 5G networks and achieving full 5G coverage by 2030 under the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW.
The Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) is introducing targeted support packages to facilitate customer migration, ensuring seamless service continuity and straightforward upgrades to 4G/5G devices with Voice over LTE (VoLTE) capability. VoLTE technology offers superior HD voice quality and cuts call drop rates by more than 59% versus 2G.
Users can acquire 4G handsets starting at 200,000 VND (7.6 USD) or exchange legacy devices for new VoLTE-compatible models from brands like OPPO and Samsung, priced from 2 million VND. Customers switching to VoLTE devices will receive 30 days of complimentary voice minutes to trial enhanced calling.
At over 200,000 Viettel outlets nationwide, staff are on hand to inspect devices, migrate contacts and data, enable VoLTE and offer usage guidance, with priority assistance for the elderly and those in remote areas.
The scheduled 2G phase-out in September 2026, directed by the Ministry of Science and Technology, represents a key upgrade to Vietnam’s telecom backbone while ushering in a smarter, safer and more sustainable connectivity era. The move brings Vietnam in step with global peers, many of which have already retired 2G and 3G to redirect resources toward next-generation infrastructure.
To advance digital infrastructure and nationwide 5G rollout, the National Assembly passed Resolution 193 introducing special pilot mechanisms and policies to expedite sci-tech, innovation and digital transformation. A related Government decree provides state incentives for operators deploying 5G nationwide upon commissioning at least 20,000 base stations between February 19 and December 31, 2025.
Meeting its pledges ahead of schedule, Viettel completed installation of 20,000 new 5G stations in the first week of December, more than three weeks early. The company plans to bring an additional 23,500 stations online by later this year.
With the expansion, Viettel now commands Vietnam’s most extensive 5G network, totaling 30,000 stations and delivering coverage to 90% of outdoor areas and 70% of indoor spaces across the country.
Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, affirms that developing science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation is a top strategic breakthrough and the main driver to accelerate the growth of modern productive forces, improve production relations, reform national governance, and foster socio-economic growth./.
Viettel exceeds target of 20,000 new 5G stations by more than three weeks
Viettel plans to continue scaling up its network from now until the end of 2025, with an additional 23,500 stations scheduled for installation, nearly quadruple the number rolled out in 2024. Once completed, Viettel will operate Vietnam’s largest 5G network, with 30,000 stations covering 90% of outdoor areas and 70% of indoor spaces nationwide, from major cities to rural regions.
