Vietnam will roll out commercial fifth-generation (5G) services in 2020 and aims to lead the world in this new generation of mobile technology application, local media reported, citing a directive on the orientations of the information and communication industry in 2020, signed by Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung.
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“Vietnam will try to take the world leading position in terms of technology as well as build a roadmapto phase out 2G mobile technology from 2022. In addition, the ministry will conduct auction and licensing of 2.6 GHz frequency,” the directive stated.
In particular, telecom carriers have to assume the additional roles and responsibilities of building the digital infrastructure, developing digital payment, mobile money, infrastructure for digital switchover.
Besides, they must master the fundamental technology for digital switchover, including 5G technology, IoT, Big Data, AI, among others.
The telecom carriers are asked to formulate a program on public telecommunications services provision in the period of 2021-2025 to ensure universal coverage of 4G and 5G, smart phones and online public services.
The directive also said that 5G is important infrastructure of the digital economy and society. Therefore, the mastery of 5G equipment is a national strategic objective in order to place Vietnam in the group of a few countriesthat can produce 5G devices.
Vietnamese businesses in charge of researching and producing 5G devices for 5G services commercialization by 2020 will be provided with favorable conditions.
Earlier, in December 2019, speaking at the Ministry of Information and Communications’ review conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stated that Vietnam is determined to be a pioneer in rolling out 5G services as 5G is the foundation and infrastructure for developing new technology applications.
Vingroup and Viettel now can produce 5G equipment, making Vietnam one of the five countries in the world able to do this.
In 2019, 5G network was tested by three major carriers namely Viettel, VinaPhone and MobiFone in many locations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam is one of the first countries in the world in deploying 5G.
