Viettel, the largest telecommunications company in Vietnam, claims to have launched the first commercial 5G service in the nation. This development marks a significant milestone for the country’s digital infrastructure. With over 6,500 base stations, Viettel aims to deliver 5G connectivity across all 63 localities of Vietnam, focusing on key areas like tourism sites, seaports, airports, industrial parks, hospitals, and schools. The service promises connection speeds of up to 1 Gbps with minimal latency.
For this deployment, Viettel is utilizing both Standalone (SA) and Non-Standalone (NSA) architectures, catering to diverse user needs. It offers 11 prepaid and eight postpaid packages for individual customers. For businesses, Viettel’s 5G network supports 130 different applications across industries such as smart cities, logistics, healthcare, education, and energy. These services are integrated with cutting-edge technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things.
In a bid to stay ahead of competition, other operators like VinaPhone and MobiFone have also introduced their 5G plans. VinaPhone has started trial services in specific areas, whereas MobiFone is gearing up for trials in October.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications had previously indicated that local operators were preparing for 5G commercialization by 2024. Reflecting its ambition, Viettel has chosen global tech giant Ericsson to roll out its nationwide 5G radio access network. This collaboration is set to enhance connectivity across major regions, including the capital city, Hanoi. Additionally, both companies will explore innovative 5G use cases and establish a robust developer ecosystem in Vietnam.
In another strategic partnership, Viettel signed a commercial agreement with Nokia to deploy 5G equipment across 22 provinces. Nokia will provide its next-generation AirScale solutions, contributing significantly to Viettel’s digital transformation efforts.
In August, Viettel achieved another first by successfully testing a 5G Standalone network, following its receipt of a 5G frequency license from the Ministry of Information and Communications. This positions Viettel as a frontrunner in developing Vietnam’s digital landscape, setting a new benchmark for local operators.
