Page 32 - Layout 1

BUSINESS REPORT

Ahead of the rest

Vietnam recently found itself among the leading regional
countries in terms of 5G commercial deployment thanks to the
efforts of three local carriers.
T NGOC KHANH reportS

n the context of Industry 4.0, the deploy- Things (IoT). For example, its Telehealth sys-
ment of the 5G network has made Viet- tem will not only provide online healthcare
I nam one of the first countries in the services but will also help with surgical pro-
world to roll out this latest generation of cedures, while smart factories will change
wireless technology, an advance expected to from semi-automation to full-automation
provide a strong boost to its digital economy. and e-learning will not only access knowledge
All three major Vietnamese mobile carriers - but also allow for direct participation in sci-
Viettel and VNPT’s Vinaphone and MobiFone entific activities at global laboratories. The
- announced trials of commercial 5G services first 5G call was researched and produced by
in the closing months of 2020. The 5G race Viettel, proving that Vietnam is among just a
among carriers is not only accelerating the few countries in the world to possess 5G
progress of network testing and increasing technology and affirming the “Make in Viet-
transmission speeds, but also expanding cov- nam” vision and the country’s position in
erage and the equipment supporting 5G. global science and technology.
In mid-December, Vinaphone also
In the game announced 5G coverage in certain central dis- where speeds of about 1.6 Gbps were posted.
Viettel was the first to announce commercial tricts in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as well MobiFone provides 5G upgraded from the
5G trials, in late November, with coverage in as two demonstration centers, so that those 4G network, so customers who don’t need to
Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh and Hai Ba Trung districts without 5G devices could experience the fea- change SIM cards can still use 5G. It will
in Hanoi. Owners of 5G-enabled devices can tures of the new technology. According to deploy 5G in cultural, political, and tourist
now use the service for free at a speed of up VNPT, Vinaphone’s 5G achieved a maximum centers as well as major industrial parks in
to 1.5 gigabits per second (Gbps), far higher speed of 1.8 Gbps. The VNPT representative the country that are densely populated and
than 4G. Notably, Viettel was the first operator told VET that 5G will boost its competitiveness have a high proportion of people using mobile
to deploy the 5G network at the Yen Phong I in the digital environment, with infrastructure technology services and high-tech internet.
Industrial Park in northern Bac Ninh province, that helps it develop platforms and new business By 2025, MobiFone aims to have deployed
in mid-January, as a premise for it to provide segments for customers. “5G combined with 5G coverage nationwide. A MobiFone repre-
5G at all industrial parks in the province in other platform technologies such as AI (artificial sentative said that under the Global System
particular and those nationwide in general. A intelligence), Big Data, and Blockchain will for Mobile Communications (GSMC), the
representative from Viettel told VET that create many smart applications in mobile com- Vietnamese Government is pursuing an Indus-
deploying the 5G network is not only to provide munications, health, agriculture, education, try 4.0 strategy that includes infrastructure
faster internet for mobile users but is also manufacturing, transportation, and energy,” and human resources along with e-govern-
important for the business community, and he added. “5G is a prerequisite for the deploy- ment services and innovative initiatives. “The
will facilitate the comprehensive digital trans- ment of digital transformation solutions for early commercial rollout of 5G networks is
formation of industry. governments and businesses.” important in this strategy,” he said. “MobiFone
Under Viettel’s vision, the 5G network will MobiFone then joined the game by piloting will work with the government to deploy new
help Vietnam better access the Internet of commercial 5G services in Ho Chi Minh City, tech applications in production and business

30 | VIETNAM ECONOMIC TIMES | FEBRUARY 2021