Network operators face difficulties when users do not want to give up their "brick" phones

According to the policy of the Ministry of Information and Communications, from September 16, 2024, telecommunications networks will stop serving subscribers using 2G Only phones.

If they do not switch to a mobile device that supports 3G/4G/5G, subscribers using phones that only support 2G (2G Only), commonly known as "brick" phones, will not be able to communicate, including listening, calling, and texting from September 16, 2024.

A representative of Viettel Telecom said that the number of 2G subscribers on the Viettel network is still high, although the network operator has made great efforts to deploy conversion solutions and communicate on mass media.

These subscribers mainly belong to the customer group in mountainous, border and island areas (accounting for about 73%), the elderly (accounting for 65%) and self-employed people (accounting for 75%).

“These are considered to be vulnerable groups, not easy to influence and persuade. With simple calling needs, this group of customers needs a lot of time and effort to contact and persuade them to switch devices.", Viettel Telecom representative shared.

According to MobiFone statistics, the number of 2G feature phone subscribers of this network is currently about 1 million subscribers. This is the group of subscribers who have only used 2G feature phones in the last 90 days.

MobiFone has communicated its policy of turning off 2G waves, along with implementing programs to support customers in switching devices, simultaneously reducing the number of 2G stations and preventing non-compliant 2G phones from joining the network.

However, through actual implementation, MobiFone has found that many mobile users do not need to change their phones (unless they are forced to change after September 16, 2024) because they are used to using 2G phones. These are customers who are elderly, poor households, and in difficult areas. They only need devices that can listen to and make phone calls and have long battery life.

The representative of this network also expressed concern because there is still a large number of 2G subscribers on the network. Meanwhile, the network does not have enough resources to support free devices for all customer groups.

To solve the problem, MobiFone said it will continue to communicate to mobile users about the State's policies and the network operator's support so that customers can proactively switch devices.

“It is estimated that by September 16, 2024, there will still be approximately 500,000 2G Only feature phone subscribers. Without new devices that support 3G or higher, these devices will be affected by not being able to use the service after September 16, 2024.", MobiFone representative commented.

According to VNPT VinaPhone, turning off 2G waves is the policy of the Ministry of Information and Communications. The 2G system will stop serving subscribers using 2G Only phones from September 16, 2024, and will stop operating completely after that.

Without upgrading their devices, users of phones that only support 2G will not be able to listen, call, send messages and maintain contact. Therefore, VinaPhone has continuously communicated to 2G customers about the State's policy and offered many incentives to subscribers who make the switch.

A representative of Vietnamobile said that the network currently has about 2% of subscribers using 2G phones. This rate has been decreasing over the past year.

Commenting on the milestone of stopping 2G subscription activities after September 16, 2024, a representative of Vietnamobile said that this is a difficult task. However, this network operator expressed its determination when pledging to do its best to complete the shutdown of 2G waves in accordance with the policy of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

Although still struggling with only 2 months left until the September 16 deadline, network operators are making efforts to overcome difficulties, mobilize, persuade, and support people to soon switch and upgrade equipment to ensure uninterrupted communication.