The End of an Era - Vietnam Says Goodbye to 2G Networks

The End of an Era - Vietnam Says Goodbye to 2G Networks

Like the setting sun, the era of 2G mobile networks in Vietnam has come to an end. On October 16th, 2022, Vietnamese telecoms officially shut down 2G services, closing the chapter on the first generation of digital mobile connectivity. For many Vietnamese who grew up with Nokia bricks and flip phones, it’s the end of an era.

Vietnam is hanging up on 2G as part of the government’s spectrum refarming plans. The goal is to clear up airwaves currently occupied by outdated 2G networks and reallocate spectrum resources to support more advanced 3G, 4G and upcoming 5G services.

However, Vietnam isn’t cutting 2G cold turkey. The networks will be kept alive on a limited basis over the next four years to support legacy 2G-only and feature phones still in use, especially in rural and remote regions. 2G services are slated for a final shutdown in September 2026.

Millions of Subscribers Forced to Upgrade

The 2G shutdown impacts millions of Vietnamese mobile users still clinging to their old Nokias and flip phones out of nostalgia or necessity. With 2G gone, these subscribers have no choice but to upgrade to at least a 3G-compatible device to stay connected.

For most Vietnamese, ditching 2G is a welcome change. 4G networks now cover over 99% of Vietnam’s population, bringing faster data speeds and improved services. But for lower-income citizens, the forced upgrade poses a financial challenge.

To ease the transition, Vietnamese telecoms are offering promotional deals on 3G and 4G handsets and expanding customer support. The government is also providing subsidies for the elderly and disadvantaged to purchase new phones.

Phasing Out an Ancient Technology

2G mobile technology seems positively prehistoric compared to today’s 4G LTE and 5G networks. First launched commercially back in 1991, 2G enabled mobile access to voice calls, text messages and early data services.

But 2G’s data rates topped out at a pokey 236kbps, too slow for modern web browsing and multimedia. Its voice-centric circuit-switched architecture is woefully outdated next to the packet-switched all-IP framework of 4G and 5G.

In Vietnam, over 18 million subscribers were still on 2G networks at the start of 2022 - nearly 20% of the country’s mobile users. After awareness campaigns and incentives from network operators, this number dropped below 1 million by October.

Paving the Way for Next-Gen Connectivity

Bidding farewell to 2G is bittersweet. But clearing out the relics of early mobile tech is necessary to build Vietnam’s connected future.

Refarming 2G spectrum will allow Vietnamese networks to enhance 4G capacity and coverage where needed. And when 5G deployments ramp up, 2G spectrum will be crucial for powering ultra-fast, low-latency 5G connectivity that can enable transformative applications.

Retiring 2G will also modernize Vietnam’s mobile infrastructure. Networks will be able to redirect resources away from maintaining outdated 2G equipment to focus on advanced 4G and 5G.

So while a small minority of Vietnamese subscribers feel some short-term pain, the long-term gains will be well worth it. For Vietnam’s mobile networks and customers, the future is undeniably 4G, 5G and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vietnam's 2G Network Shutdown

The shutdown of 2G mobile networks in Vietnam marks the end of an era. Let's explore some common questions about this monumental transition.

Why is Vietnam saying goodbye to 2G?

Vietnam is phasing out 2G to clear up spectrum for more advanced mobile technologies like 4G and the upcoming 5G. 2G spectrum needs to be "refarmed" and reallocated to support the bandwidth-hungry applications of the future.

After over 20 years, 2G has simply become outdated. Its peak speeds of 236kbps can't deliver acceptable performance for modern web browsing and multimedia. All good things must come to an end, and it's time for 2G to ride into the sunset.

How many people are impacted by the 2G shutdown?

Over 18 million Vietnamese mobile subscribers were still on 2G networks at the beginning of 2022. Through aggressive "ditch 2G" campaigns and incentives from operators, this number dropped to under 1 million by the October shutdown deadline. However, the shutdown impacts millions who must now upgrade phones to stay connected.

What options do Vietnamese citizens have for upgrading from 2G phones?

For most Vietnamese, upgrading to an affordable 4G smartphone is the best option. Operators like Vinaphone and Mobifone are offering discounted 4G feature phones and smartphones to ease the transition. Citizens can also turn to the secondary phone market for used 3G and 4G devices.

Additionally, the government is providing subsidies to senior citizens and low-income households to purchase new 3G or 4G feature phones.

How does the shutdown impact Vietnamese in rural areas?

The 2G shutdown poses difficulties for citizens in rural locales with spotty 3G/4G coverage. To maintain connectivity, many will need to upgrade to 4G-capable phones before coverage improves.

Operators are expanding 4G and voice over LTE (VoLTE) networks to cover 97% of rural population centers by the end of 2022. This will ensure the majority of rural Vietnamese can upgrade to 4G phones without losing connectivity.

What will happen to the old 2G networks after the shutdown?

Vietnam isn't pulling the plug on 2G entirely. Networks will be maintained on a restricted basis where still needed, especially on offshore islands. Complete shutdown of 2G is slated for September 2026. Maintaining minimal 2G ensures elderly users of legacy 2G-only phones aren't cut off.

How does shutting down 2G networks enable future connectivity?

Clearing 2G spectrum allows operators to refarm frequencies for expanding 4G capacity and coverage. The freed-up spectrum can also be utilized for 5G networks as Vietnam looks towards a 5G future.

Shutting down 2G also lets operators divert network infrastructure and engineering resources away from maintaining legacy 2G systems over to advanced 4G and 5G.

What are some pros and cons of saying goodbye to 2G?

Pros: Faster 4G connectivity for all, modernized networks, spectrum freed up for digital transformation. Cons: Financial burden for users to upgrade phones, temporary coverage gaps in rural regions.

In the long run, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. Vietnam is wise to phase out antiquated 2G and set its sights on the future.

How can Vietnamese operators smooth the 2G-to-4G transition?

Operators should focus on promotional deals on 4G devices, expanding rural infrastructure, and customer outreach. Vouchers for discounted 4G feature phones and additional subsidies for lower-income users will also help ease the burden of upgrading.

What will the mobile landscape look like for Vietnamese citizens after 2G?

A fully 4G-enabled Vietnam where virtually every citizen can enjoy faster connectivity, digital content and next-gen apps. 5G networks will also begin lighting up in urban centers, showcasing the ultra-high speeds and low latency that will revolutionize industries. It's an exciting future ahead for mobile consumers!

The sunset of 2G marks the dawn of a new era in Vietnamese telecommunications. While saying goodbye to 2G is bittersweet, clearing the way for 4G and 5G will bring the connectivity Vietnamese citizens need to fully participate in 21st century life.