The 2G mobile network was officially turned off on October 15 across Viet Nam as part of the country’s effort to accelerate national digital transformation.

The number of people queuing up to buy new devices and upgrade to 4G mobile services on October 14 and 15 increased sharply. Photo: CHIEN THANG

As recorded by our reporters, users have already prepared to switch to newer network services and smart devices.

These days, a large number of 2G-only mobile phone users have flocked to telecom service stores across Da Nang to check their SIM cards and devices because they were concerned that they belonged to groups of people who would be affected after the 2G mobile network was phased out.

Using a Nokia brand phone bought a year ago, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Kim Van residing in Hoa An Ward, Cam Le District did not know whether her phone would stop working after October 15 or not.

Therefore, she went to the phone store and asked the staff to check. After checking, her phone was still eligible for continued use.

Smartphones priced from 4-5 million VND are in high demand during this time. Photo: CHIEN THANG

Similarly, Ms. Nguyen Minh, a resident of Hoa Minh Ward, Lien Chieu District, went to a phone store on Ton Duc Thang Street to buy smartphones for her relatives to replace 2G-only mobile phones.

As observed by our reporters, the number of customers to some telecommunications service and phone equipment stores citywide increased 1.5-2 times compared to a week ago. However, the number was still modest compared to a month ago.

The number of smartphones and SIM cards available at retail stores is abundant and diverse, meeting the needs of customers in the coming time. Photo: CHIEN THANG

Customers prioritise buying low-cost phones priced from 4-5 million VND/device or less. The switch-off of 2G service is an important step for Viet Nam to achieve the goal of the National Digital Transformation Programme until 2025, with a vision to 2030, to popularise 4G and 5G mobile networks.

To support 2G service subscribers, major national telecom service providers such as VinaPhone, Viettel, and MobiFone have implemented measures and numerous promotional programmes for users transitioning from 2G to 4G nationwide.

Many stores offer attractive policies to help people access newer technology devices. Photo: CHIEN THANG

In particular, Viettel has set up dozens of points and arranged hundreds of employees to directly support customers at their homes to exchange phones in the city, as well as cooperated with retail stores to provide incentive programmes to support users to upgrade from 2G to 4G.

The number of customers coming to upgrade to 4G phones is mostly middle-aged or elderly people. At the Viettel Store Da Nang, the purchasing power of 4G or 5G phones has risen about 10 times compared to the same period in 2023 since there was information about turning off 2G mobile networks.

Viettel also donated 2,000 smartphones and 4G push-button phones to poor and near-poor households in the city in August and September 2024 at a total cost of nearly VND 800 million.

Previously, Vinaphone supported thousands of free feature phones so that customers could continue to use telecommunications services.

Thus, from 0:00 on October 16, telecommunications networks will block 2-way calls of 2G subscribers, so customers can go to telecom service providers to receive full instructions on how to upgrade to 4G phones.

After October 15, MobiFone will block 2G devices but still retain accounts and subscriptions for customers. At the same time, the network will keep and add days so that customers have time to upgrade and install new SIMs on new devices.

For customers who buy their own devices to switch from 2G-feature phones to 4G ones, MobiFone will give away a preferential package. Subscribers who receive new phones as gifts are required to register to use Mobifone's service for at least 12 months.

Thus, from 0:00 on October 16, telecommunications networks will block 2-way calls of 2G subscribers, so customers can go to telecom service providers to receive full instructions on how to upgrade to 4G phones.

Telecommunications businesses affirm that they will ensure consumer rights and users have the right to choose smartphones or 4G push-button phones with preferential, reasonable support programmes.

Reporting by CHIEN THANG - Translating by M.DUNG