Mobile phone operators said they are making preparations to avoid network congestion during the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival.

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The operators, including VinaPhone, MobiFone and Viettel will increase capacity on their networks, expand coverage areas and increase the number of 3G base transceiver stations (BTS) and mobile broadcast vehicles.

MobiFone said that a large number of customers would move from big cities to the southwestern region, central region and northern delta, therefore, capacity in these regions would be doubled or tripled.

The mobile operator has also increased its capacity at festival venues or places of amusement, to meet the predicted boom in demand.

30 broadcast vehicles would be deployed to places experiencing high demand.

Meanwhile, Viettel has prepared 74 vehicles for festival hotspots or crowded apartment blocks.

In addition, 200 wireless routers will also be set up at key locations ready for the upcoming Tet holiday.

Viettel has invested in more than 190 new BTS, improved hardware resources for nearly 2,200 BTS, and optimised and upgraded configurations on more than 14,000 broadcasting stations in all cities and provinces nationwide.

Viettel also expects to officially roll out 4G services across the country in the first quarter of this year.

Another mobile phone giant, VNPT – VinaPhone, has completed nearly 8,000 3G broadcast stations. The provider has the largest 3G coverage area in Viet Nam.

VNPT – Vinaphone has prepared plans to increase 3G services to increase capacity, expand coverage area and ensure 34 free wifi broadcast stations around Hoan Kiem Lake.

In other provinces and cities, as well as key locations, 3G broadcasting stations have been improved to ensure the provision of Internet services in the Lunar New Year holiday, said Vinaphone.

HCM City, Ha Noi, Can Tho and Nha Trang will offer free wireless internet 24 hours a day at flower markets during Tet, according to the Saigon Posts And Telecommunications Service Joint-Stock Corporation (SPT).

In HCM City, the service will be available at Tao Dan, Gia Dinh, Le Van Tam, and Le Thi Rieng Parks; the International Square; and Nguyen Hue Flower Street.

In Ha Noi, it will be provided at flower markets on Lac Long Quan and Hoang Hoa Tham streets, Quang An, Quang Ba and Nhat Tan flower markets and Hang Luoc Flower Street.

Elsewhere, Tran Phu Street and Yen Phi Park in Nha Trang, and the Ninh Kieu Wharf flower market, Vo Van Tan Flower Street and a flower market on Hoang Van Thu Street in Can Tho will also be covered.

SPT’s S-wifi project provides free wifi in more than 14 provinces and cities, mainly to hospitals, schools and public areas in populous localities, benefiting more than 12 million users.

(Source: VNA)