Viettel, a telecom operator in Vietnam, will work with Ericsson by sourcing the majority of its nationwide 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) deployment.
Viettel will deploy Ericsson 5G products and services across the majority of provinces in Vietnam.
Nokia earlier said it won a contract from Viettel to deploy 5G network in 22 provinces in Vietnam. The latest development indicates Ericsson will be the leading supplier of 5G mobile equipment to Viettel.
Mobile network operators such as MobiFone, Viettel and VNPT VinaPhone acquired the right to use the C3 (3800-3900 MHz) radio frequency band in a 5G auction held in July, 2024.
Ericsson’s 5G deployment will include the capital Hanoi and the north and central parts of Vietnam. The partnership will see Ericsson modernize its 4G network for Viettel across the same geographical areas.
The Ericsson Radio System will enhance Viettel’s network capabilities, enabling a faster, more reliable 5G rollout and high-speed connectivity for customers across Vietnam.
Viettel is also preparing for spectrum refarming to New Radio (NR), utilizing the 2600 MHz spectrum for both 4G and 5G non-standalone (NSA), and positioning itself for future 5G Standalone (5G SA) deployment.
Tao Duc Thang, President and CEO, Viettel, says: “This year marks a significant milestone year for Vietnam with the commercial deployment of 5G.”
Rita Mokbel, Head of Ericsson Vietnam, says: “The selection of Ericsson as a strategic partner for 5G deployment by Viettel reaffirms the deep partnership between the two companies for providing a robust, reliable and efficient digital infrastructure in Vietnam.”
Ericsson and Viettel have also signed a MoU to promote 5G adoption in Vietnam. Ericsson and Viettel will focus areas such as 5G network slicing to provide differentiated connectivity, developer enablement via network APIs, and knowledge exchange on emerging technologies.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
