The Ministry of Information and Communications has just issued Circular No. 10/2024/TT-BTTTT to suspend the enforcement of a number of contents in Circular No. 03/2024/TT-BTTTT and Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BTTTT related to frequency band planning for public land mobile communication systems IMT.
According to the Circular, the 2G network shutdown date has been postponed by one month, until October 15, 2024.
Feature phones with 4G integration remain a choice for some customers.
Previously, Circular No. 03/2024/TT-BTTTT and 04/2024/TT-BTTTT stipulated that from September 16, 2024, mobile communication systems based on the GSM standard in the frequency bands of 1710-1785 MHz, 1805-1880 MHz, 880-915 MHz, and 925-960 MHz will cease providing services to terminals that only support the 2G standard.
Exceptions were made for devices using the 2G network for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) data transmission or in special areas such as Truong Sa, Hoang Sa, and DK platforms.
However, due to natural disasters and floods, telecommunications businesses petitioned the Ministry of Information and Communications to delay the 2G shutdown by one month to avoid communication disruptions, especially with approximately 1.8 million 2G-only subscribers remaining as of September 15, 2024.
The decision to suspend the 2G shutdown date does not alter the Ministry’s strategic goal of discontinuing 2G services. Instead, it aims to address the immediate emergency and ensure uninterrupted communication for people amid complex natural disasters.
Furthermore, this temporary postponement will facilitate the technology transition, mitigate challenges in shutting down the 2G network, and accelerate the deployment of more advanced mobile technologies in Vietnam.
Circular No. 10/2024/TT-BTTTT takes effect on September 16, 2024, and the suspension of the enforcement will last until October 15, 2024.
Currently, businesses will gradually shut down 2G base stations in areas with no 2G traffic based on their operational realities. The complete cessation of 3G technology is planned for September 2028.
Millions of phones to become “bricks”, users need to remember this or risk losing connection
Mobile networks have taken the initiative to shut down 2G signals. This is a crucial time for users to take note, especially when purchasing a new phone or considering upgrading to 4G to avoid any interruptions in communication.
