Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has announced that mobile network operator Viettel has launched a pilot 5G network in Hanoi. Around 100 base transceiver stations (BTS) in the three districts of Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh and Hai Ba Trung have been switched on, allowing customers with compatible handsets to trial 5G technology in the city for free. The tests with end users are aimed at helping the company evaluate the technology and the market before launching commercial operations.
As previously reported by TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate, Viettel and MobiFone were awarded pilot 5G trial licences at the end of October, followed by VNPT-Vinaphone last month. Viettel is permitted to test 5G with subscribers in Hanoi using spectrum in the 2500MHz-2600MHz, 3700MHz-3800MHz and 27.1GHz-27.5GHz frequency bands and up to 140 BTS. The test licences are valid until the end of June 2021.