Vietnam starts blocking 2G-only phones ahead of shutdown

The switch-off aims to create space for more 4G and 5G networks in the country.Vietnam will begin blocking signals for non-compliant 2G mobile phones as part of its broader plan to fully phase out the 2G service later this year, the Vietnam Telecommunications Authority (VTA) said.

The VTA, which is under the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), has instructed all mobile phone service providers to stop accepting subscribers with mobile phones that exclusively support 2G technology, unless they are on the MIC list of conformity certification.

Users were advised to contact their mobile service providers for more information and instructions, or the Telecommunication Quality Metrology Centre for a list of 2G phone models that remain cleared for use by the MIC.

According to the VTA, the switch-off of 2G service aims to create space for the advancement of more modern telecommunications technologies including 4G and 5G networks.

VTA Deputy Director Nguyen Phong Nha said that the ministry is oriented to start 6G technology by 2030, thus, 2G technology phones would no longer be used, imported and circulated on the market.

The 2G mobile network, first used in Vietnam in 1993, has become outdated and is no longer able to meet users’ demands or keep up with the growth of telco services.

Data from service providers showed that there were more than 26 million 2G mobile subscriptions at the start of 2023, or 20% of the 126 mobile subscriptions nationwide. It fell to about 23 million in August last year.