Transition to the digital future

Switching off 2G is a modern requirement to ensure optimal infrastructure and resources for more modern technology networks, meeting the requirements of national digital transformation. Switching off 2G will help people integrate into the digital lifestyle and experience many modern conveniences. To achieve these goals, Phu Tho has drastically implemented many synchronous and effective solutions.

People in Zone 7, Khai Xuan Commune, Thanh Ba District are informed about the state’s policy of switching off 2G networks.

Change habits, change usage

For many years, Ms. Le Thi Hien (56 years old) in Zone 7, Khai Xuan Commune, Thanh Ba District has maintained the habit of using a phone that only uses 2G technology (2G Only - push-button phones with the main function of listening and making calls), or jokingly called a “brick” phone. The “brick” phone is easy to use, has a strong battery, and a strong signal, so when she heard that the 2G signal was about to be “terminated,” Ms. Hien felt very sorry for her old phone.

However, after being informed about the policy of turning off the 2G network signal, the policy of supporting phone conversion, and 4G SIM conversion of the network operators, Ms. Hien bought a smartphone with many superior features. “When I switched to using a smartphone, I found it more convenient. I can connect to social networks, update more information, contact relatives more easily, and know how to handle administrative procedures online, which I always had to ask my children and grandchildren to do before, Ms. Hien excitedly said.

Zone 7, Khai Xuan Commune, Thanh Ba District currently has 116 households with 425 people. Mr. Nguyen Hong Ky, Head of Zone 7, Khai Xuan Commune, informed: “Currently, 80-90% of people in Zone 7 use smartphones; the rest are still using”brick" phones, partly due to habit and partly due to difficult economic conditions. The majority of users of “brick” phones are elderly people, so access and conversion of SIM cards and phones is still slow. In order for people to grasp the state’s policy of turning off 2G network waves, we have actively propagated to people on the loudspeaker system, through zone meetings, or when people have questions that need to be answered, we will go to their homes to guide them.".

Immediately after switching to using a smartphone and being guided by his neighbors, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Bao (80 years old) in Zone 7, Ha Hoa town, Ha Hoa district, has mastered accessing the Internet to read newspapers and using applications and social networking platforms to call his children and grandchildren who are working or studying far from home.

Mr. Bao shared: “When I first used a smartphone, I only pressed the answer button when my children and grandchildren called. After being guided by my children, I now know how to proactively call my children and grandchildren when needed and use many other utilities. I have access to a lot of useful information about health, sports, nutrition.”.

In Ngoc Tan village (zone 13), Ngoc Quan commune, Doan Hung district, where over 98% of the Cao Lan ethnic people live, 100% of the people in the area have used and experienced many practical utilities from smartphones. From communication, entertainment, learning, to accessing information, especially in joining hands to preserve and conserve the unique traditional cultural features of the Cao Lan people, such as language, writing, Sinh ca singing, dancing with shrimps, chim gau...

Ms. Ta Thi Toan, Secretary of Party Cell 13, Ngoc Tan village, Ngoc Quan commune, Doan Hung district, said: Using smartphones to search, learn, and practice traditional songs and dances of the Cao Lan people is very useful and effective. We have set up groups on social networking platforms (Zalo, Facebook, etc.) to maintain and promote the activities of the Sinh Ca club. The songs and dances are shared by us on social networks, and then periodically on club activities days we will perform together. In addition, we regularly post articles, video clips, and images about Cao Lan culture on social networking sites to be preserved and developed in the community.

It can be seen that, not only contributing to the modernization of infrastructure, turning off 2G waves is also considered a “revolution,” bringing people to convenient digital services and contributing to promoting digital government, digital economy, digital society... in the locality. To prepare for this important “transition,” the province has prepared early, especially in terms of telecommunications infrastructure, meeting the inevitable trend of the times.

Viettel Phu Tho deploys the installation and broadcasting of 5G BTS stations in Viet Tri city and the centers of Cam Khe, Lam Thao districts, and Phu Tho town.

Pioneering in the transformation

Determining that digital infrastructure must be one step ahead, the province has focused on reviewing and compiling statistics on the current status of broadband Internet infrastructure down to the village/hamlet/residential area level, thereby developing plans, organizing tasks, and creating favorable conditions for telecommunications enterprises to focus on investing in upgrading over 3,800 BTS stations; 4G coverage with over 1,600 stations. Broadband fiber optic cable is provided to 100% of government agencies and nearly 80% of households; over 87% of the population uses smartphones...

With the determination to eliminate mobile signal blank areas, overcome 4G mobile broadband signal depressions, and bring fixed broadband Internet to every village, hamlet, and residential area, by the end of 2023, 14 villages and hamlets in the last particularly difficult areas of the province in Thanh Son, Tan Son, and Yen Lap districts will be covered by mobile information. Thanks to that, Phu Tho is among the leading groups in digital infrastructure development nationwide, contributing to increasing the province’s Local Innovation Index ranking.

The 2G Only phone, also known as the “brick” phone, is about to be “eliminated” from the Vietnamese market.

To prepare for the 2G shutdown plan, for many years now, network operators in the province have proactively turned off individual 2G stations that do not generate or generate very little traffic, implementing 2G problems in combination with 3G and 4G deployment. This helps free up bandwidth for the development of newer mobile network technologies such as 4G and 5G. For example, Viettel has turned off 2G coverage stations in places where less than 5% of customers are using them since 2021. Meanwhile, VNPT has turned off 85 2G stations and is expected to turn off about 50 more stations by the end of the year.

At the same time, network operators are focusing on improving the quality of 4G networks in Phu Tho in particular and the whole country in general by continuously investing in upgrading capacity and deploying new technologies such as CA (carrier aggregation), 4x4 MIMO (multiple input, multiple output), massive MIMO, beamforming, etc.

Network optimization is continuously carried out to ensure the quality of 4G services is always at the highest level. Network monitoring systems operate 24/7 to detect and promptly handle incidents, ensuring the 4G network always operates safely. The team of technicians is strengthened to support users during the transition process and resolve arising technical issues.

On the other hand, 4G LTE-A (4G+) technology with faster access speeds is deployed in central, densely populated areas to bring a better experience to users. In particular, since the beginning of the year, the province has piloted 5G mobile information broadcasting at 4 locations in Viet Tri city. Currently, Viettel Phu Tho is deploying new 5G equipment installations at 50 BTS stations in Viet Tri city, Phu Tho town, Lam Thao, and Cam Khe districts to be ready for the official commercial operation of 5G services on October 15.

Like Viettel, VNPT has made preparations to be able to cover 5G in all provinces and cities across the country in October 2024. Mr. Dang Viet Hai, Director of VNPT Phu Tho, said: “As the first network operator to deploy a 2G mobile network in the country, having spent 28 years with 2G technology, Vinaphone has always strived to bring customers the best, most optimal, and most modern services. Up to now, as soon as 2G waves are turned off according to the government’s roadmap, VNPT customers will be able to switch to using 3G and 4G technologies, especially the more modern 5G technology. In Phu Tho, VNPT has installed Vinaphone 5G stations in Viet Tri city and will continue to promote the installation of additional stations in the remaining 12 districts and towns in 2024. Vinaphone has been, is, and will always play a pioneering role in providing new generation mobile services in Phu Tho province to bring people and customers experiences of a digital era in the future.".

By 2025, Phu Tho aims for 5G mobile network coverage in 100% of districts, cities, town centers, industrial parks, tourist areas, state agencies, and to serve and support the smartening of urban infrastructure, transportation, energy, healthcare, etc.; the proportion of the adult population with smartphones reaches 95%; 100% of villages and hamlets have fiber optic broadband Internet infrastructure; raising the proportion of households with fiber optic broadband Internet to 85%. The province strives for 100% of shared information systems to connect to a dedicated data transmission network and connect 4 administrative levels from the central to the communal level; develop a platform for integrating and sharing data of the province to connect and share data of 100% of the province’s specialized information systems and databases with national databases...

Switching off 2G waves and starting to deploy 5G mobile networks in the province is not only a change in technology but also opens a new digital era, where people, whether in urban or rural areas, can access and enjoy the benefits of the 4.0 industrial revolution. With careful and thoughtful preparation from network operators, along with active support from local authorities, we believe that Phu Tho will achieve the goal of becoming a province with digital infrastructure among the leading provinces in the Northern Midlands and Mountains, creating an important foundation to attract investment to serve socio-economic development, contributing to promoting the digital transformation process, and building a comprehensive digital society in Phu Tho province.

Phuong Thuy - Ha Trang