The restrictions mark the first phase of a nationwide campaign to improve subscriber data accuracy, combat telecommunications fraud and strengthen digital security.

According to Viettel Telecom, subscribers affected by the suspension can no longer make calls or send text messages, although incoming services remain available.

Under the regulatory roadmap, subscribers will have 60 days from the date of the one-way suspension to complete verification. If authentication is not completed by August 15, 2026, services will be suspended in both directions.

Five days after a two-way suspension takes effect, unverified numbers will be permanently withdrawn in accordance with regulations.

Multiple options available for restoring service

Viettel said customers whose subscriptions were restricted on June 15 can reactivate services from home by logging into the My Viettel application, the Viettel Tammi platform or the VNeID application and completing the required verification steps.

The operator has also established approximately 50,000 verification support points nationwide.

Subscribers can bring their chip-based citizen identification card to Viettel stores, Viettel Store outlets, authorised agents, retail partners and participating mobile phone chains, including The Gioi Di Dong and Hoang Ha Mobile, for in-person assistance.

The company said support teams remain fully deployed across the country to assist customers in the coming days.

Special assistance is also available for elderly and disabled subscribers through the dedicated hotline 18008098, which offers home-based support to help ensure vulnerable customers are not left without communication services.

VinaPhone restricts nearly 3 million subscribers

VinaPhone also began implementing restrictions on June 15.

The operator announced that nearly three million subscribers who had not completed the authentication process required under Circular 08/2026/TT-BKHCN had their outgoing calling and SMS services suspended beginning at 9 a.m.

Like Viettel users, affected VinaPhone subscribers can still receive calls and messages while their outgoing services remain restricted.

Customers may complete verification through the My VNPT application, where authentication can be performed online by following the platform's instructions.

Citizens who already possess Level 2 electronic identification accounts can also complete the process through the VNeID application.

Alternatively, subscribers may visit VinaPhone or VNPT service centres nationwide and present a citizen identification card or other valid identification documents for verification.

More than eight million subscribers already affected

According to the Telecommunications Authority, telecom operators were required to begin suspending outgoing services for unverified subscribers from 00:00 on June 15.

To avoid overwhelming network systems, operators were permitted to stagger the restrictions across different groups of subscribers throughout the day.

Based on figures released by Viettel and VinaPhone alone, more than eight million subscribers had already entered the first stage of service suspension on June 15.

Industry estimates suggest the total number of affected subscribers across all operators could exceed ten million.

A source familiar with the matter told VietNamNet that the actual number of unverified subscriptions may be even higher than figures publicly disclosed by telecom operators.

The subscriber verification campaign is part of broader government efforts to eliminate improperly registered SIM cards, reduce telecom-related fraud and ensure every active mobile number is linked to a verified user identity.

Thai Khang