5G - an important factor in digitization
Denis Brunetti, President of Ericsson Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, has pointed out that the 5G network is an important factor in speeding up digitization in an effective manner. In the past, infrastructure considered for investment in a country basically included transport, electricity, water supply… systems. However, now infrastructure includes high-speed telecommunication connections. As a country with early deployment of the 5G network, it is more favorable for Vietnam to attract foreign investment.
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Users experience the Vsmart Aris 5G smartphone. |
At present, there are more than 60 service providers in 30 countries offering 5G network services commercially. An additional 380 others in 120 countries are currently investing in these services, aiming at providing the services for commercial purposes. In 2023, it is estimated that there will be about one billion 5G subscribers in the world and the figure will reach 2.8 billion in 2025.
In order to build a “Make-in-Vietnam” 5G network, Vietnam must master 5G equipment, including the two basic components of a transceiver and core network systems in combination with terminal devices. In reality, Vietnam’s electronic and telecommunication businesses are now capable of producing 5G network equipment as well as 5G terminal devices.
Production of “Make-in-Vietnam” 5G terminal devices boosted
In early 2020, the Military Industry-Telecoms Group (Viettel) successfully conducted its first call via a data connection line with a gNodeB transceiver developed and produced by Viettel. Viettel has also cooperated with Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology to research and develop 5G chips.
Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Vu Ha, Director General of Viettel High Technology Industries Corp., believes that Viettel’s development and manufacturing of 5G chips is an important step towards mastering 5G technologies. Moreover, Viettel has also put more effort into studying and producing “Make-in-Vietnam” chips.
Vinsmart Research and Manufacture Joint Stock Company of Vingroup has recently developed the first 5G smartphone produced by the Vietnamese people. In the coming time, VinSmart will continue with the research and development of other 5G devices. Its smartphones will support both 5G technologies now, namely Sub6 and mmWave.
Meanwhile, Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) has announced its success in building the VinaPhone 5G network, which reaches a speed of 2.2Gbps, 10 times faster than the speed of the 4G network. With the capacity to integrate 5G services in the current network, VNPT is ready in terms of technologies and network structure to commercially offer 5G services. Licensed by the Ministry of Information and Communications, MobiFone Corporation has also completed its 5G pilot program.
More favorable conditions for commercial provision of 5G services
According to CEO of Qualcomm in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia Thieu Phuong Nam, Vietnamese businesses are now capable of designing and producing 5G devices in line with the highest standards, both in terms of hardware, software, and tests. Qualcomm has been working closely with Vietnamese businesses to help its Vietnamese counterparts produce and commercialize “Make-in-Vietnam” devices that conform to international standards. It has just opened four labs in Hanoi to test 5G products in line with the highest standards.
Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Phan Tam shared that the ministry would provide more favorable conditions and direct Vietnamese businesses in carrying out investment in developing and producing 5G devices, aiming to commercialize the devices in 2020. The ministry has also formed a working group in charge of boosting the development of the 5G network. In 2020, according to the ministry, 5G services will be offered to users in capitals of provinces and cities, universities, research centers, and more. The Vietnamese devices will be piloted in July and put into use starting in October 2020.
The successful pilot of the 5G network and the speeding-up of the mastering of 5G “Make-in-Vietnam” terminal devices have shown that Vietnam is now ready for the development and mastering of the most advanced technologies.
Translated by Huu Duong