4G licences to be granted to five firms

The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has approved the applications of five companies seeking to run the Fourth Generation Mobile Network.

Under the licence, these companies, which include Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), Viettel Telecom, FPT Telecom, CMC and VTC, will be allowed to operate the 4G network over a trial period of 12 months.

4G, which refers to the fourth generation of cellular wireless standards, is a successor to the 2G and 3G networks. The nomenclature of the generations generally refers to a change in the fundamental nature of the service, non-backwards compatible transmission technology and new frequency bands.

According to telecom experts, using 4G will improve broadband significantly in comparison with 2G and 3G. 4G allows data to be transmitted at a higher speed of 1GB per second while in a static state and 100 MB per second in a mobile state. With its large broadband, the 4G also permits data, sound and mobile pictures to be transmitted in very high quality in a short time. The 4G application will be used in teleconferences, online entertainment and for broadband Internet access.

Currently, several high technologies including Long-term Evolution, Ultra Mobile Broadband and WiMAX II have been considered pre-technologies for 4G. These technologies will be fundamental to building 4G standards.

MIC’s Telecommunication Department director Pham Hong Hai said that after the one-year trial periods, companies will be required to participate in a frequency bid in order to be granted a 4G licence under the Telecommunications Law. After receiving the licence, they will be able to transfer frequency bands.

The MIC will organise a conference to gather telecom companies’ opinions upon the 4G implementation in Viet Nam soon. — VNS

Tags: Vietnam 4G, Vietnam 4G network