Vietnam has laid out plans to shutter the country’s 2G networks beginning in early 2022.
The Ministry of Information and Communications is taking this step in order to free up spectrum to be used for 4G and 5G, reported VNExpress. With data usage growing, the ministry is looking to maximise the efficiency of all available spectrum.
Vietnam has over 140 million mobile subscribers, with around half of these using predominantly 2G services. The country has around 55 million 3G users and around 18 million 4G subscribers.
Two operators – market leader Viettel and MobiFone – have received licences to conduct 5G network trials, while Vinaphone is still waiting for a permit. Under the terms of the test permit, Viettel test the technology on the 3.8GHz and 28GHz bands in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
