5G covers 63 provinces and cities
5G technology is becoming a global development trend, providing fast data transmission speeds, low latency and the ability to connect millions of devices in the same area. 5G service has opened up new space for network operators as well as businesses, providing growth in the digital economy.
According to information from Viettel, this network currently has about 5.5 million users, more than 6,500 BTS 5G stations, covering 100% of the capitals of 63/63 provinces and cities, industrial parks, tourist areas, seaports, airports, hospitals, and universities. Viettel's 5G network speed can reach 700Mbps - 1Gb, 10 times faster than 4G and the latency is almost zero. Viettel expects to reach 10 million 5G subscribers in 2025.
VNPT network also covers all central areas of 63 provinces and cities and all 705 district-level administrative units along with important areas such as industrial parks, airports, and political centers. VNPT currently has about 3 million subscribers using 5G.
MobiFone is currently rushing to install and deploy the 5G network, expected to launch the service at the end of March. MobiFone said it is expanding telecommunications infrastructure and adding 5G broadcasting frequency bands, aiming for 5G broadcasting in 100% of communes across the country.
At the meeting with 20 associations, associations and clubs operating in the Information Technology and Communications (ICT) sector of Vietnam on February 19, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung emphasized that the national telecommunications network is quickly covered, but businesses are rushing to develop only about 5,000 stations each year. Therefore, if we want to develop 20,000 5G stations for national coverage, the state will support, this is a very special policy. For the first time, the state has supported businesses with up to 15% of the total investment in 5G if the network operator built at least 20,000 5G stations in 2025.
Special policy
The National Assembly has just voted to pass a Resolution of the National Assembly to pilot a number of mechanisms and policies to remove obstacles in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation activities.
The special feature of this Resolution is that it will allocate the state budget to support businesses in quickly deploying 5G network infrastructure nationwide.
Accordingly, telecommunications enterprises that quickly deploy 5G network infrastructure must have at least 20,000 5G broadcasting stations accepted and put into use from the effective date of this Resolution until December 31, 2025. The total amount of support for telecommunications enterprises according to this regulation does not exceed the total winning auction amount of auctions for the right to use radio frequencies conducted in 2024. The support level for a 5G broadcasting station is 15% of the average equipment cost for a 5G broadcasting station purchased in 2025 by supported telecommunications enterprises.
This Resolution also sets out policies for developing international telecommunication cables at sea with the participation of Vietnamese telecommunications enterprises or investors. Accordingly, investment projects in international maritime telecommunication cables with landing stations in Vietnam are subject to the prescribed procedures for investment projects in Vietnam according to the provisions of the law on investment and must meet the requirements of ensuring national defense and security.
The Resolution allows the approval of investment policies to decide on the use of the form of bidding to implement packages of the above investment project for implementation in the period of 2025-2030, to promptly meet the requirements of telecommunications infrastructure development of enterprises.
In case the form of bidding is not used, the selection of contractors to implement the investment project is carried out according to international practice agreed upon by the parties or signed between Vietnamese telecommunications enterprises and foreign organizations that are members contributing capital to invest in the construction of international marine fiber optic cables.
