Vietnam will permanently switch off its 2G mobile network in September, ending more than 30 years of service and requiring all users to have VoLTE-compatible devices to continue making voice calls.
In mid-July, mobile carriers began broadcasting text alerts advising subscribers to enable VoLTE or 4G/5G calling features on their devices and urging them to verify and activate these settings promptly to avoid losing voice services.
The September shutdown marks the end of a mobile technology that served Vietnam for more than three decades.
The phase-out is in line with the radio spectrum plan issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications, recently merged with the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Vietnam will permanently switch off its 2G mobile network in September, ending more than 30 years of service and requiring all users to have VoLTE-compatible devices to continue making voice calls.
In mid-July, mobile carriers began broadcasting text alerts advising subscribers to enable VoLTE or 4G/5G calling features on their devices and urging them to verify and activate these settings promptly to avoid losing voice services.
The September shutdown marks the end of a mobile technology that served Vietnam for more than three decades.
The phase-out is in line with the radio spectrum plan issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications, recently merged with the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Industry representatives say the shutdown is unlikely to have a major impact as the vast majority of subscribers have migrated to compatible devices already.
Nevertheless, they recommend that subscribers inspect their mobile network settings to ensure 4G/5G Calling or VoLTE is active.
Subscribers uncertain about device compatibility can contact carrier hotlines or visit retail service centers.
Telecommunications authorities said fully decommissioning the 2G infrastructure frees up valuable spectrum space, and carriers could reallocate these frequencies to expand coverage and improve network performance for 4G and 5G services, advancing the country's broader digital transformation goals.
