The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) made the decision in a recent circular that halts the enforcement of some contents of the two precious circulars which covers the planning of frequency bands of the public land mobile communications system IMT.
The two precious circulars regulate that from September 16, the networks using the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standard on the frequency bands of 1710-1785 MHz, 1805-1880 MHz, 880-915 MHz, and 925-960 MHz will stop supplying services for 2G-only devices.
Only machine-to-machine (M2M) devices and special areas such as Truong Sa (Spratly), Hoang Sa (Paracel), and the DK platforms (complexes of economic, scientific and technical services in the country’s southern continental shelf) are exceptions.
However, facing severe impacts of natural disasters, many telecoms businesses proposed the MIC postpone the 2G switch-off for one month to keep communications uninterrupted, especially when about 1.8 million 2G-only subscribers have yet to change to higher services by September 15.
The delay does not change the MIC’s strategic target of stopping the 2G service but only aims to guarantee communications amid the complex natural disaster situation, the MIC said, adding that it also helps with technology transition and accelerate the application of more advanced mobile technologies in Vietnam.
