On October 27, during the Vietnam International Digital Week 2025 in Ninh Binh - organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology in coordination with the provincial government - the ASEAN 5G Conference, chaired by Vietnam, served as a major regional platform for cooperation in telecommunications infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI).

The sixth edition of the conference reinforced Vietnam’s pioneering role in digital transformation and in building a sustainable 5G-AI ecosystem aimed at the 6G era.

5G and AI - The two pillars of ASEAN’s digital ecosystem

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui The Duy emphasized that 5G is not only the backbone of the digital economy but also a driving force behind AI advancements in industry, healthcare, education, and environmental protection.

“The symbiotic relationship between 5G and AI is the key to unlocking an intelligent and sustainable digital ecosystem where technology better serves humanity and society,” Duy stated.

According to him, Vietnam has continuously invested in 5G research, trials, and commercialization, while also enhancing its national AI capabilities.

With support from global tech leaders such as Qualcomm, Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, Viettel, VNPT, and MobiFone, Vietnam is gradually building a dynamic, innovative, and influential 5G-AI ecosystem within ASEAN.

This year’s event brought together telecom regulators from ASEAN countries, as well as dialogue partners from the US, Japan, China, and international organizations, serving as a key venue for knowledge exchange and cross-sector collaboration.

Vietnam - A leading 5G success story in ASEAN

According to Le Van Tuan, Vietnam’s success in 5G stems from well-structured spectrum planning, balanced licensing fees, and strong investment incentives.

Vietnam has allocated 100 MHz of mid-band spectrum (C-band, 2.6 GHz) and 2x10 MHz of low-band spectrum (700 MHz), repurposed from digital TV transition, to mobile operators.

This broad allocation boosts data speeds and network capacity, while specialized filters reduce interference and satellite systems are migrated to Ku-band or upper C-band frequencies.

Importantly, spectrum fees in Vietnam are kept at just 6% of operator revenue - significantly lower than in many neighboring countries.

“When spectrum costs exceed 10% of revenue, infrastructure investments decline. Vietnam’s auction policies have been adjusted to allow firms to prioritize network investment over licensing fees,” said Tuan.

To encourage network expansion, Resolution 193 by the National Assembly offers financial support equal to 15% of equipment costs for firms deploying over 20,000 5G base stations in 2025. The goal is to cover 90% of the population with 5G and reach 50% of the current number of 4G stations by the end of 2025.

“Vietnam’s success proves that even a developing country can achieve digital infrastructure breakthroughs with the right policies. This is a valuable lesson for ASEAN nations preparing for 6G,” Tuan noted.

From the business perspective, Pham Le Chung, Head of Digital Services at Ericsson Vietnam, said that mobile operators are shifting to the Open Gateway model, exposing APIs to banks, fintech firms, and content platforms to enable value-added services.

Successful examples like Claro Brazil or Telefonica with TikTok and Banco Itaú show that 5G is not just about connectivity, but a new digital business platform enabling telcos to transform into comprehensive digital service providers.

Deepak Singh, Head of CSP Solutions for Asia-Pacific at Nokia, stated that 5G is creating a “jump in ARPU” (average revenue per user) thanks to superior data experiences and flexible service packages.

He also highlighted that AI will fuel the next wave of data growth, with technologies like Digital Twin and machine learning algorithms optimizing network configurations, reducing interference, improving connectivity, and cutting energy consumption.

According to Singh, three key messages are clear: 5G is now entering its effective commercial stage; 5G SA and 5G Advanced will unlock new revenue streams; and AI-driven automation is vital for maximizing 5G’s potential while minimizing operational costs.

The intelligent edge era begins

Representing Qualcomm, Nies Puwati said that AI and 5G are at the heart of the global digital revolution, paving the way for 6G and the “Connected Intelligent Edge” - a world where billions of devices, sensors, and AI systems interact and make real-time decisions.

“AI tasks are increasingly being pushed to the network edge, reducing latency, saving energy, and enhancing security,” she noted.

Qualcomm projects that global mobile data traffic will quadruple by 2030, with AI accounting for up to 33% of total network traffic by 2033.

The company is leading the development of 5G Advanced, a transitional platform toward commercial 6G expected early next decade.

Since its launch in 2019, the ASEAN 5G Conference - chaired by Vietnam - has evolved from a technical cooperation initiative into a symbol of Vietnam’s leadership in shaping ASEAN’s digital future.

With long-term vision, Vietnam continues to contribute to building a connected, intelligent, and sustainable ASEAN where technology drives economic growth, bridges the digital divide, and enhances the quality of life.

Thai Khang