Vietnam has quickly joined the ranks of countries with the fastest 5G download speeds in Asia, following the allocation of 5G spectrum licenses. However, experts and operators stress the urgent need to allocate additional spectrum - particularly in the C-band - for the country to meet the demands of 5G Advanced and future 6G technologies.

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After receiving a 5G spectrum license, Viettel recorded strong growth with nearly 10 million subscribers.

According to the latest Speedtest Intelligence (Ookla) report, Vietnam’s average 5G download speeds now range between 150–200 Mbps, significantly higher than the global average and among the top in Asia.

However, top-tier countries like the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and South Korea offer 5G speeds between 400–600 Mbps, thanks to access to at least 100 MHz of spectrum, with plans to expand to 200 MHz to maintain global competitiveness in the data-driven era.

In Vietnam, a crucial 180 MHz of C-band spectrum - comprising the 3600–3700 MHz and 3900–3980 MHz ranges - remains untapped for terrestrial mobile use.

Given the skyrocketing demand for data, high-definition video, augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR), and Internet of Things (IoT) applications, accelerating the deployment of this spectrum is not just a technical requirement but a strategic move for Vietnam’s digital economy leap.

Doan Quang Hoan, Vice President of the Vietnam Radio-Electronics Association, noted that C-band was previously allocated for VINASAT satellites. However, Vietnam’s current network of terrestrial and undersea fiber-optic cables is capable of replacing satellite transmission.

“Technological advancements now allow for more efficient use of Ku-band for satellites. Many countries have discontinued C-band satellite services and reassigned it to terrestrial mobile networks. Vietnam can follow the same path,” Hoan said.

Viettel calls for more spectrum to unlock 5G Advanced

A Viettel representative stated that following the issuance of the 2600 MHz band license and nationwide 5G deployment, the company has seen significant growth - now serving nearly 10 million 5G subscribers. Service quality has also notably improved, positioning Viettel’s network among the top performers in the country.

As user demands continue to rise - especially for high-resolution live streaming (2K, 4K), AR/VR services, and private mobile networks in industrial zones and seaports - Viettel emphasized the need for additional spectrum.

“This would enhance our current service quality and enable efficient deployment of carrier aggregation (CA) technologies. It would bring our network to the 5G Advanced standard - optimizing network capacity and enabling high-bandwidth, low-latency, high-connection services that provide superior user experiences,” the company noted.

Viettel is ready to upgrade its network as soon as the spectrum becomes available.

Global network leaders such as China Mobile, KDDI, NTT Docomo, Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T already operate with 200 MHz or more of 5G bandwidth, forming the foundation for advanced digital services and maximizing 5G’s potential.

Massive 5G bandwidth demand expected post-2028

Vinh Tuan Bao, Deputy CEO of MobiFone, stated that while 100 MHz is currently sufficient to meet Vietnam’s 5G demands, future growth could require up to 200 MHz by 2029 as 5.5G and 6G become commercialized.

“If applications like smart surveillance, ultra-HD broadcasting, or smart factories emerge, C-band spectrum - currently allocated for VINASAT - should be reassigned for mobile carriers. Satellites today mostly symbolize national sovereignty or act as backups, rather than serving as mainstream data transmission channels. In the near future, low-orbit satellite technologies may offer high-speed internet access to mass markets,” he explained.

“With roughly 140 million mobile subscriptions, growth in user numbers is slowing. But new machine-to-machine (M2M) models can boost demand. To support this, the Ministry of Science and Technology should allocate the C-band for mobile use. Additionally, operators need policy mechanisms that allow 5G spectrum sharing by region to prevent resource waste,” he added.

Echoing this sentiment, Nguyen Nam Long, Deputy CEO of VNPT, agreed that future-focused spectrum planning is essential for Vietnam’s mobile industry.

“VNPT currently has a 100 MHz 5G license and hasn't fully utilized it. Still, broader spectrum provides better opportunities. I believe we’ll need 200 MHz by 2028 or 2030. In addition to new C-band allocations, the government should consider allowing spectrum exchange or sharing among telecom operators to maximize efficiency,” Long suggested.

Thai Khang