Turning off 2G technology: Promoting comprehensive digital transformation

Switching off 2G is an inevitable trend of the times to ensure optimal infrastructure and resources for more modern technology networks, promoting digital society, digital economy, and digital government. To achieve the goal of officially turning off 2G and switching to 4G networks according to the roadmap of the Ministry of Information and Communications, in the past time, under the direction of the Provincial People’s Committee, the Department of Information and Communications and related units in the area have synchronously and drastically deployed many solutions to achieve the set goals.

VNPT Phu Tho staff always enthusiastically support and guide customers to convert black and white phones at transaction points.

Conversion is necessary

Brick phones—a funny way to call Black and white phones are often cheap, simple in design, have few features, and only support 2G networks, so they are mainly used for listening, calling, and texting. The number of customers using 2G technology in the province is mostly in rural, remote, mountainous areas; their ability to access information and income is still quite low, leading to many difficulties in switching to new technology...

Mr. Nguyen Van Phan in Zone 2, Van Xuan Commune, Tam Nong District is a pure farmer; life is still difficult, so buying a black and white phone to use as a means of communication with relatives is a great effort.

Mr. Phan said, “When I have a phone, I find life more convenient and easy to exchange information with everyone. However, in modern times, using a black and white phone also has many disadvantages because I cannot connect to social networks; this limits the ability to grasp information. Moreover, due to not having a smartphone, recently, to set up a level 2 electronic identification account and handle administrative procedures online, I had to ask someone to set it up for me, but I still couldn’t use it because I didn’t have a smartphone."

Some people who do business and often have to make transactions still like to use a “brick” phone in parallel with a smartphone. Ms. Dang Thi Man in Zone 5, Xuan Huy Commune, Lam Thao District, who works in the service business, said: "I use two phones; the black and white phone is compact and easy to carry around, so it is mainly used for listening and calling, convenient for buying and selling. As for my smartphone, I mainly use it to receive Zalo calls, surf the internet, and check Facebook. Recently, I have grasped the policy of stopping 2G technology; in the future, “brick” phones will no longer be able to make and receive calls. I think this is also a suitable and inevitable trend of the 4.0 technology era."

The Ministry of Information and Communications has issued Circular No. 03/2024/TT-BTTTT and Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BTTTT on frequency planning for Vietnam’s terrestrial mobile information system, which has determined the roadmap for stopping the old 2G mobile technology, specifically: From September 16, 2024, no service will be provided for phones that only support 2G technology (except in the case of the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos, DK platforms, or providing services for the purpose of transmitting and receiving data between devices). On September 16, 2026, all 2G waves will be turned off (except in the case of providing services in the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos, DK platforms).

Mr. Nguyen Minh Tuong, Member of the Party Central Committee and Director of the Department of Information and Communications, said: The roadmap to stop using old 2G mobile technology helps the government free up bandwidth for old technology to switch to new technology, bringing higher efficiency; at the same time, promoting digital society, digital economy, and digital government. In addition, it also helps people switch to using higher-quality 4G and 5G broadband services, providing better services, including many convenient services such as online public administration, cashless payment, and accessing information through applications when accessing the internet. At the same time, contributing to the completion of the goal of “one smartphone for each citizen,” popularizing smartphones to all Vietnamese people...

Viettel Phu Tho supports customers to switch from 2G to 4G devices.

Joining hands

According to statistics, the whole province has over 150,000 2G subscribers. When the 2G signal is turned off, phones with only 2G technology, without 3G or 4G technology (2G only phones), will not be able to connect and make calls. In other words, when the 2G signal is turned off, old “brick” phones or phones that do not meet standards will be "terminated.".

To properly implement the government’s roadmap, from March 2024, the Department of Information and Communications has reported to the Provincial People’s Committee and the Ministry of Information and Communications on the plan to turn off 2G waves in Phu Tho province; at the same time, promote propaganda work on mass media; and unify and thoroughly instruct telecommunications enterprises in the province to organize implementation.

As one of the prestigious network operators in the area, owning a modern telecommunications network and infrastructure, in recent times, VNPT Phu Tho has actively promoted communication activities on mass media and social networks; supported the conversion of 2G SIMs to 4G SIMs at transaction points; and for elderly customers, VNPT Phu Tho has sent officers and employees to directly consult at home, helping them in the process of converting SIMs and devices. In level 2 areas, VNPT has coordinated with local government organizations and unions to support customers in converting subscribers. Notably, VNPT Phu Tho also implemented preferential policies for VinaPhone subscribers who switch to 2G devices, such as device support, 30GB trial experience for 30 days, registration for preferential packages, use of MyTV Mobile service, and experience of VNPT SmartCA digital signature service.

In addition, VNPT Phu Tho has reviewed and evaluated the current coverage status at 2G stations in the area. Develop a plan and roadmap to supplement support policies to ensure 3G/4G coverage after 2G network shutdown.

Currently, VNPT Phu Tho has turned off 70/325 2G stations in the whole area and is continuing to review to turn off more than 70 2G stations in the near future. By the end of August 27, 2024, VNPT Phu Tho had converted nearly 3,400 subscribers/6,412 2G subscribers that needed to be converted. The goal is to convert 100% of existing 2G subscribers by September 15, 2024.

In fact, Viettel Phu Tho has planned and is quickly implementing this technology conversion process, accompanying people in the conversion process, such as giving away free 4G devices at a reasonable cost and opening up opportunities to upgrade to 4G technology for all users. Specifically, users who are ready to “upgrade” to 4G technology will receive maximum support from Viettel when they register to buy a prepaid package with a term of 6 months or more; the package price remains the same as before.

The program applies to Sumo 4G V1, V1S, V2, Sumo 4G G1, G2, ZTE Blade A33S, and Samsung Galaxy A05. Depending on the model the customer chooses, there will be a corresponding package and conditions with a price of 90,000 VND/month. In addition, customers who do not want to commit to using the package will still receive a discount of up to 50% when purchasing some 4G smartphone models provided by Viettel.

In addition, with a business philosophy associated with social responsibility, Viettel has attempted to remove difficulties for the poor with a 50% discount policy for Sumo 4G V1, V1S, V2, Sumo 4G G1, G2,... Thanks to that, in the first 8 months of 2024, about 75,000 Viettel customers have been converted from 2G to 4G; currently, about 25,000 customers have not yet converted.

Thanks to the cooperation of the authorities and telecommunications enterprises in the province, from March to the end of August 2024, the whole province had 122,112 2G subscribers switching to 4G phones; currently, the province has 29,630 2G subscribers, accounting for 2.6% of the total number of phone subscribers and 1.9% of the total population.

Comrade Nguyen Minh Tuong, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Department of Information and Communications, added: September 16, 2024 is very close; to ensure communication, people need to urgently switch to using 4G phones, encourage priority to switch to smartphones (if suitable conditions exist) for long-term use, and many utilities. Information and communication agencies, authorities at all levels, and community digital technology teams continue to increase communication to people about turning off 2G waves, especially those directly affected by the situation.

Telecommunications businesses increase the reception, consultation, and timely resolution of customer feedback and recommendations; promptly allocate resources to implement customer support programs and policies; review and increase investment and development of new technology network infrastructure to ensure service quality. The Department of Information and Communications inspects and supervises network operators to ensure the best support for people when implementing state policies.

Anh Tho