5G has covered about 26% of Vietnam's population

Vietnam's leading telecommunications carriers, including Viettel, VNPT (VinaPhone) and MobiFone, are entering the phase of accelerating the deployment of fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks, with a total of about 11,000 broadcasting stations installed nationwide.

Although this figure is only equivalent to 7.7% of the current 4G coverage area, it has helped bring 5G to about 26% of Vietnam's population, an important step in the national digital transformation journey.

Viettel leads the 5G infrastructure race

As the network operator with the largest market share in Vietnam, Viettel continues to play a key role in the expansion of the 5G network. To date, Viettel has provided services to about 6 million 5G subscribers and aims to increase this number to 10 million by the end of 2025.

The company plans to deploy 20,000 more 5G base stations by 2025. The goal is not only to increase coverage but also to improve data transmission speeds by more than 2.5 times compared to the present.

This will create a solid foundation for Viettel to meet high-bandwidth applications such as virtual reality (VR/AR), cloud gaming, smart industry and smart city services.

Not to be left out, VinaPhone has also served about 3 million 5G subscribers. This network is focusing on coverage in downtown areas, airports, parks, administrative complexes and public places with high traffic.

Notably, VNPT has joined hands with many international technology partners such as Nokia, Ericsson and network operator M1 (Singapore) to further exploit the potential of 5G in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) platform, network application programming interface (API), large-capacity data transmission and vertical service integration.

The combination of infrastructure expansion and technology cooperation is helping VinaPhone become one of the pillars in the country's comprehensive digitalization plan.

Meanwhile, MobiFone currently has about 2.5 million 5G subscribers and is focusing on expanding coverage in major cities as well as key provinces and cities. The carrier's upcoming plan is to deploy 10,000 more 5G broadcasting stations, with the long-term goal of covering all communes nationwide, an unprecedented feat in previous mobile network deployment phases.

This move shows that MobiFone is not only targeting the vibrant urban market but is also turning to rural and underserved areas, contributing to the goal of universalizing 5G nationwide.

The Government is promoting support policies, aiming to cover 90% of the population by the end of 2025.

With a guiding and coordinating role, the Ministry of Science and Technology and relevant agencies are urgently promoting the commercialization of 5G networks nationwide in 2025.

Along with that, the Ministry also aims to promote the rapid development of the 5G network, striving to deploy 5G stations at least equal to 50% of the number of 4G stations by 2025. It is expected that by the end of 2025, the number of 5G stations can reach more than 68,000, equivalent to 57.5% of the current number of 4G stations.

At the same time, ensure 5G coverage can reach 90% of the population, with a minimum transmission speed of 100 Mbps - a standard sufficient to serve applications requiring big data in manufacturing, education, healthcare and smart transportation.

According to Resolution 193 on "Piloting special mechanisms and policies to create breakthroughs in science, technology development and digital transformation"According to the National Assembly's Resolution, telecommunications businesses will receive financial support of up to 15% of equipment investment costs if they complete the installation and put into operation at least 20,000 5G broadcasting stations before the end of this year.

This is considered an important boost to accelerate infrastructure deployment, especially in the context that 5G technology is increasingly becoming an essential platform for all economic and social activities.