This means that telecom carriers will have only two months more to stop 2G service as per the roadmap set before. However, the number of 2G subscribers remains relatively high. Network operators’ reports show that they still have more than 10 million 2G subscribers, and will have to run against the clock to help clients shift from 2G to 4G and 5G.

The question is what will happen if network operators cannot complete the process of shifting 2G subscribers to 4G and 5G subscribers.

The Authority of Telecommunications (AOT) under the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), citing Circulars 03/2024 and 04/2024 on the use of 900MHz/1800MHz wavebands, said that MIC won’t grant the wavebands again once the use expires on September 16, 2024.

The agency has requested telecom carriers to take media measures and give support to ensure benefits of these subscribers if they want to be granted the 900MHz/1800MHz wavebands again.

AIS director Nguyen Thanh Phuc said that MIC will take action to force telcos to apply policies to speed up the shift.

According to Vu Thu Hien from the Authority of Radio Frequency Management, MIC has decided there won’t be 2G-only subscribers from September. 

However, in the first stage of 3G/4G deployment, when the VoLTE feature is still not integrated, the mobile phone models which have to make calls via 2G/3G will work until September 2026.

From September 2024 to September 2026, the 2G network will be maintained, but no more new subscribers will be developed.

During the two years, the 2G network will be used only to provide voice service to 3G/4G subscribers with no VoLTE. This is ‘soft switching’, which allows mobile subscribers to have more time to make reasonable shifting.

Regarding solutions to help subscribers shift to use 4G-supporting mobile phones, AOT said telecom carriers now provide financial support to help subscribers buy smartphones, encourage clients to shift to smartphones to increase data revenue, and speed up national digital transformation.

Nguyen Trong Tinh, deputy CEO of Viettel Telecom, said the firm has turned off 2G BTS in the areas with under 5 percent of users. It offers a 50 percent price reduction to clients who buy terminal devices and 100 percent fee exemption for 4G-supporting low-cost mobile phones.

Van Anh