Top3 largest mobile network Viettel, MobiFone and VinaPhone are likely to be offered 4G services in the regional 1800 MHz band in September.

Speaking at the conference of Government Meeting dated 06 September 2016, the Minister of Information and Communications Mr. Truong Minh Tuan has assigned all departments to complete procedures for licensing 4G in September, preparing 2.6GHz spectrum auction. Hence, three major mobile networks Viettel, MobiFone and VinaPhone will probably provide 4G services in September on the 1,800 MHz band.

At the latest 4G LTE workshop held in Hanoi, representatives of the Radio Frequency Department said that MIC tend to keep their neutrality in managing the technology used for 4G. MIC will assign frequency band level for telcos only, and not to mention which technology such as 3G, 4G, 5G etc. to be used. MIC also does not specify which particular band will be allocated for any technology.

About choosing frequency band for 4G, the former Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Mr. Le Nam Thang said that the frequency management without pre-defined technology has been raised before. For example, the three largest mobile operator Viettel, VinaPhone, MobiFone has now been granted the 1,800 MHz band, and have tested 4G technology with this band. Therefore, using the licensed frequency band to deploy to new technologies such as 4G is quite reasonable.

Mr. Mantosh Malhotra, the regional director of Qualcomm Southeast Asia stated that: "Vietnam cannot deploy 4G early but it will be quickly adapted by users because of advantage for handset prices for late comer. However, Vietnam should not delay the implementation anymore! 521 telcos in the world applied 4G/LTE and approximately 5,600 devices supporting 4G with suitable price for customers. The total number of 4G subscribers worldwide is 1.29 billion subscribers. These figures show that 4G LTE deployment has reached its maturity worldwide. So it is the right time for Vietnam to deploy 4G."

"Some concerned that it is late to deploy 4G in Vietnam than in other markets. But it is actually not because the current mobile ecosystem is enough to promote this technology. Currently, users’ needs and expectations of very high throughput of 4G to run new applications. So the first challenge is that users have great expectations, and the network must meet that demand. This is the right time for Vietnam to deploy 4G, carriers should cooperate with suppliers of solutions and equipment for deployment.” Mr. Mantosh Malhotra said.

Mr. Mantosh Malhotra also recommended that Vietnam has the advantage to go right up to the latest technology - 4G Advance - to deliver exceptional quality and its strategic move to bring broadband Internet to 95% population in 2020. In addition, Vietnam Government should soon go for further 4G spectrum with the 2.6 GHz band and the 2.3 GHz to immediately launch Advance 4G services to users. To help expand 4G usage, Vietnam can license for 4G spectrum as low as 700MH band after digitalizing TV broadcasting.

- ICT News -