VietNamNet Bridge - Contrary to mobile network operators’ commitments, the speed of 4G services provided on a trial basis has been slow, while service fees are high, disappointing the first 4G simcard owners in Hanoi.

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After Viettel and VinaPhone, MobiFone, one of the three largest mobile networks, has officially announced 4G services on a trial basis in the three largest cities of Hanoi, Da Nang and HCM City, commencing from July 1.

The first 4G users in Hanoi have complained that the 4G speed is too slow and unstable. 

“I registered to use 4G since July 1, but I cannot use the service in the last 10 days. There is sign of 4G wave, but it is very weak,” a customer said.

Le Thi Ngoc in Dong Da district said on Thanh Nien that Speed Test (the testing tool on iPhone 6 Plus) showed disappointing results. In Dong Da district, Speed Test showed the download speed at 17-20 Mbps only, while the upload speed was 2.2-5 Mbps. 

Contrary to mobile network operators’ commitments, the speed of 4G services provided on a trial basis has been slow, while service fees are high, disappointing the first 4G simcard owners in Hanoi.
“With such a speed, one can only access the internet to read newspapers and check mail, and cannot download videos clips, or entertainment services,” Ngoc said.

A MobiFone’s representative said the 4G wave remains unstable because the mobile network operator now only provides services on trial basis in some districts in Hanoi, including Ba Dinh, Cau Giay and Dong Da. And in the districts, 4G service is available only in some wards.

However, customers complained that though MobiFone provides 4G on trial basis, it still charges high fee for the service. Its Data 4G service packages now have fees of between VND120,000 and VND600,000.

According to Tran Van Hieu in Cau Giay district, the service fee is in not lower than 3G service fee as announced by mobile network operators. MobiFone has even set up additional requirements, thus putting customers at a disadvantage.

With 3G service, if users register the service package with the fee of VND70,000, they can use the service at high speed, and when the given capacity is used up, they still can use the service at normal speed for free of charge. 

Meanwhile, with 4G, there will be no additional free use when they use up the given capacity.

In the latest news, the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC) has stated that 4G service on a trial basis will finish on October 23, while the ministry may begin granting licenses to provide 4G in late September or early October.

While 4G remains unfamiliar to Vietnamese and it is expected to become more popular by 2018, 5G service has been used in other countries since July 15.


CV