The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) recently convened a meeting with agencies and mobile network operators to discuss 6G research and development.

A representative of the Science and Technology Department said the department has prepared well for 6G, including building standards for 6G, while some universities and research institutes have begun researching 6G.

According to the Authority of Radio Frequency Management, Vietnam is the fifth country in the world to manufacture 5G equipment. In order to research new technologies such as 6G, all countries have to make big investments and have to start immediately to develop the technology.

A senior executive from Viettel said the company has embarked on researching manufacture of 6G equipment and obtaining 6G patents. Unlike Viettel, VNPT said it would focus on researching a 6G ecosystem. MobiFone also affirmed that it has joined groups researching 6G.

Long said at the meeting that there are five 5G equipment manufacturers in the world, and many powerhouses in the world have begun researching 6G. Vietnam is determined to keep abreast with the world in developing 6G – research, production and deployment together.

According to Long, some large technology companies, such as Nokia and Japanese phone manufacturers, "laid down the law" in the last decade. However. China is now competing for the leading position in the world in technology.

Countries and large corporations are making huge investments in technologies to protect their leading positions. Ten years ago, Vietnam did not think it could make a telecommunication billing system and believed that it would have to buy the product from international telecom manufacturers. However, it finally did it and has even exported the product.

With open RAN, there will be opportunities for Vietnam to produce 6G equipment, leaving Vietnam as the 5th country and 6th telecommunications equipment manufacturer to produce 6G equipment.

“Vietnam will conduct research and make contributions to 6G standards. MIC and enterprises will together research and promote the development of the technology,” he said.

He said the state will equip labs for enterprises researching and manufacturing 6G equipment. In addition to domestic experts and institutes, Vietnam will invite foreign experts to conduct research on 6G.

Thai Khang