Vietnam’s 4G Coverage Surpasses High-Income Countries

DNHN - This is the result of the information and communication sector’s efforts in popularising telecommunications infrastructure, especially the “Waves and Computers for Students” programme to ensure online learning and working.

Vietnam boasts a greater 4G coverage rate than developed high-income nations while being a lower-middle-income country. The Ministry of Information and Communications reports that Vietnam currently has 99.8% 4G coverage, which is more than developed high-income nations' 99.4% coverage.

This is the outcome of the information and communication industry's efforts to make telecom infrastructure more widely used, particularly the "Waves and Computers for Students" campaign, which made online learning and operation possible. 5G has been tested in 59 provinces and cities, up from 97% previously. Over the past year, there have been notable advancements in telecommunications and digital infrastructure, which are gradually playing an increasingly crucial role as technological and economic backbones for the digital government, digital economy, and digital society.

Furthermore, Vietnam's share of mobile phone users overall and smartphone users is still rising, reaching 84.4% (compared to the global average of 63%). By the end of 2024, the information and communication technology (ICT) industry hopes that all consumers will have smartphones.

Specifically, compared to the global average of roughly 60%, fibre optic coverage to homes is almost 80%. With this outcome, the objective of complete digital transformation for the whole population—leaving no one behind in the process—is intended to be realised. Vietnam has also tested 5G in 59 cities and provinces.

Vietnam's data fees are kept at a minimal amount—roughly half of the global average. Vietnam is ranked first in Southeast Asia, fourth in Asia, and 12th globally for the cheapest internet rates, according to data gathered by Cable.co.uk from 3,703 fixed network service providers across 219 nations and territories. Vietnamese internet users typically pay 10.99 USD (or 260,000 VND) for a month's worth of usage.

Vietnam is among the nations with the least amount of variation in annual data fees worldwide; in 2023, the average rate increased by only 0.18 USD (or 4,000 VND) over 2022. This makes it possible for everyone to enter the digital world and use the internet.

Vietnam wants to rank in the top 50 nations on the Information and Communication Technology Development Index (IDI) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) by 2025. Commercialise 5G (starting with a statewide commercial pilot programme in 2021). Every adult in the country owns a smartphone.

Simultaneously, 90% of people have access to the internet at an average speed of 200 Mbit/s, and 100% of households have access to fibre optics when needed. For 4G networks, the minimum average download speed is 40 Mbit/s, and for 5G networks, it is 100 Mbit/s.

Minh Phuong