Telecommucications service provider VNPT is preparing its pilot launch of 5G, the next generation wireless technology, in the pedestrian zone around Hoan Kiem lake in Hanoi’s downtown early next month, Kinh te & Do thi reported.

VNPT to pilot 5G service launch in Hanoi. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn

The move comes after the company was granted a license by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) to conduct 5G network testing in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City using a total of no more than 100 base transceiver stations.

Such testing will take place on the frequency bands of 2,600MHz and 3,700-3,800MHz.

In Hanoi city, 5G coverage will be limited to the Hoan Kiem lake area and some locations in adjacent Hai Ba Trung district while testing in Ho Chi Minh City will target the pedestrian street of Nguyen Hue, the Notre-Dame Cathedral in District 1 and some areas in Districts 3 and 10.

VNPT said it is purchasing equipment to prepare for installation across the two cities and to ensure that the network can support up to 5,000 subscribers during the pilot time.

The telco is also working with smartphone manufacturers to test devices currently available on the market so that users will have the best experience. To date, more than half of all available devices have been tested.

Earlier, the MIC had also granted such licenses to other local telecom giants, the military-owned Viettel and state-owned MobiFone, to launch the pilot commercial running of the 5G network in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Viettel has been allowed to pilot 5G in Hanoi with a maximum of 140 base transceiver stations while MobiFone were given permission to operate 50 stations in Ho Chi Minh City.