2G or 3G mobile phones are not allowed to be produced or imported into Vietnam from July 1 to boost the exploitation of 4G and 5G, according to the latest Circular issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

2G or 3G mobile phones are not allowed to be produced or imported into Vietnam from July 1 to boost the exploitation of 4G and 5G. Photo: VinSmart

Under the Circular 43 on “National technical regulation on mobile communication terminal equipment - radio access”, which will take effect from July 1. 

 All mobile phones locally-manufactured or imported into Vietnam must be integrated with E-UTRA technology (or 4G technology). Vietnamese and foreign organizations and individuals operate in production and trading of equipment according to the regulation in Vietnam are the subjects of the Circular. 

According to the ministry, the 2G is dying out and is increasingly being replaced by more advanced technologies. 4G and 5G devices will be popularized, in line with the National Digital Transformation Program to 2025.

Previously, Mr. Hoang Minh Cuong, the Director of the Authority of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Information and Communications, said that the portfolio of people using feature phones for calling and texting (2G phones) is on a downward trend. From the end of 2019 to the end of the third quarter of 2020, the number of feature phones has decreased by about 6-7 million units.

The remaining 12 million 2G feature phones are expected to stop operating in the first quarter of 2022. The ministry continues implementing solutions and policies to encourage 2G users to switch to  smartphones. The number of feature phones is dropping to less than 5% and will be faster in the coming time.