2G Only shutdown deadline extended to October 16, 2024

The Ministry of Information and Communications has just issued Circular No. 10/2024/TT-BTTTT suspending the implementation of some contents of Circular No. 03/2024/TT-BTTTT and Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BTTTT related to frequency band planning for the IMT public terrestrial mobile information system.

With this Circular, the 2G shutdown date has been postponed by one month, to October 16, 2024.

Previously, Circular No. 03/2024/TT-BTTTT and Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BTTTT stipulated that from September 16, 2024, mobile information systems according to GSM standards on the 1710-1785 MHz, 1805-1880 MHz, 880-915 MHz and 925-960 MHz bands will stop providing services to terminal devices that only support the 2G Only standard. Exceptions are applied to devices using the 2G Only network for the purpose of transmitting and receiving data between devices (M2M) or in special areas such as Truong Sa, Hoang Sa, and DK platforms.

Explaining the reason for postponing the 2G shutdown by one month, a representative of the Telecommunications Department said that due to the impact of natural disasters and storms and floods, many telecommunications businesses have requested the Ministry of Information and Communications to postpone the 2G shutdown by one month to avoid disrupting communications, especially in the context that there are still about 1.8 million 2G Only subscribers who have not yet converted as of September 15, 2024.

The decision to suspend the 2G shutdown period does not change the strategic goal of the Ministry of Information and Communications in stopping the provision of 2G services, but only aims to handle immediate emergency situations, ensuring communication for people in the midst of complicated natural disasters.

In addition, this postponement will also help support the technology transition process, help minimize difficulties in shutting down 2G waves and speed up the deployment of more advanced mobile technologies in Vietnam.