The deadline for shutting down 2G-only services has been postponed to October 16, 2024.
The Ministry of Information and Communications has issued a new circular, deciding to postpone the deadline for shutting down 2G-only services until October 16, 2024.
The Ministry of Information and Communications has just issued Circular No. 10/2024/TT-BTTTT suspending the effectiveness of certain provisions of Circular No. 03/2024/TT-BTTTT and Circular No. 04/2024/TT-BTTTT related to frequency band planning for the public terrestrial mobile communication system (IMT).
With this Circular, the date for shutting down 2G services 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 communication systems using the GSM standard on the 1710-1785 MHz, 1805-1880 MHz, 880-915 MHz, and 925-960 MHz frequency bands would cease providing services to terminal devices that only support the 2G Only standard. An exception applies to devices using the 2G Only network for the purpose of transmitting and receiving data between devices (M2M) or in special areas such as the Spratly Islands, Paracel Islands, and the DK offshore platforms.
Explaining the reason for postponing the 2G shutdown by another month, a representative from the Telecommunications Department said that due to the impact of natural disasters and floods, many telecommunications businesses petitioned the Ministry of Information and Communications to postpone the 2G shutdown by another month to avoid disrupting communication, especially given that there are still about 1.8 million 2G-Only subscribers who have not switched as of September 15, 2024.
The decision to postpone the 2G shutdown does not change the Ministry of Information and Communications' strategic goal of discontinuing 2G services, but is merely aimed at addressing an immediate emergency situation and ensuring communication for the people amidst complex natural disasters.
Furthermore, this postponement will also help support the technological transition process, minimizing difficulties in shutting down 2G networks and accelerating the deployment of more advanced mobile technologies in Vietnam.
