Viettel gets one-year 5G trial license
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Vietnam’s largest telecommunications company Viettel has received a license to trial its 5G services. The trial is licensed for a period of one year until January 21 next year. Viettel is the first company in Vietnam to receive this license. The military-owned company is allowed to trial the sevices in Hanoi and HCMC at not more than 73 locations and without charging for the services.
The company had earmarked $40 million for the development of its own 5G chipset, but was also considering using technology from Ericsson and Nokia, its president and CEO Le Dang Dung said.
Viettel has around 60 million subscribers in Vietnam and over 30 million more in 10 other countries, predominantly in Asia and Africa.
Speaking at a seminar on telecoms innovations at the end of 2018, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung had expressed plans to introduce 5G by 2020, which would make Vietnam one of the first countries to deploy this technology.
5G is the latest generation in of mobile Internet connectivity, and should offer much faster speeds and more reliable connections on smartphones and other devices compared to the current 3G and 4G technologies.
Questions & Answers
Q.What are the key limitations placed on Viettel's 5G trial by the license?
What are the key limitations placed on Viettel's 5G trial by the license?
Viettel is permitted to trial its 5G services in Hanoi and HCMC. The trial is restricted to a maximum of 73 locations, and the company is not allowed to charge customers for using the services.
Q.How long has Viettel been granted permission to trial its new 5G services?
How long has Viettel been granted permission to trial its new 5G services?
Viettel has been granted a license to trial its 5G services for a period of one year. This license is valid until January 21 of next year, allowing them sufficient time for testing.
Q.What is Viettel's strategy for developing the technology required for its 5G network?
What is Viettel's strategy for developing the technology required for its 5G network?
Viettel had allocated $40 million for developing its own 5G chipset. However, the company was also exploring the possibility of utilising technology supplied by Ericsson and Nokia.
Q.What is the broader national ambition for 5G deployment in Vietnam?
What is the broader national ambition for 5G deployment in Vietnam?
The Minister of Information and Communications had previously indicated plans to introduce 5G by 2020. This initiative aims to position Vietnam among the first nations to deploy this advanced technology.