Seminar discusses development of 5G chipsets, network devices

The seminar was chaired by Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Phan Tam.

In early 2019, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc urged the development of domestic technology firms and made-in-Vietnam technologies and products, Tam said.

Resolution No.52-NQ/TW recently issued by the Politburo and the draft of Vietnam’s socio-economic development strategy towards 2030 emphasise the significance of expanding tech companies which are vital to helping Vietnam escape the middle income trap and foster a developed and independent economy, he said.

The Party and State have adopted various incentives to facilitate R&D for hi-tech products, particularly 5G chipsets and network infrastructure devices, the official noted, adding that major IT and telecoms in Vietnam have started developing 5G technology.

He also called on participating firms to actively join hands to develop 5G chipsets and devices in Vietnam.

At the seminar, representatives from participating companies talked about their challenges in researching and developing new technologies as well as their current and future 5G projects.

Tao Duc Thang, Deputy Director General of the telecom group Viettel, said it has been developing 5G technology and 5G network infrastructure devices – like base-transceiver stations, core networks and terminal equipment – since 2015. The group plans to complete manufacturing the first version of its 5G stations and network next year before it goes into commercial operation in 2021, he said.

A representative from the VinSmart Research and Manufacture JSC said the firm aims to spend about 200 billion VND (8.66 million USD) on building a laboratory to develop 5G network devices. In 2021, the company will invest 90 million USD to develop 5G products and 5G smartphones.

Deputy Minister Tam asked the MIC’s Radio Frequency Management Board to consider licensing certain frequencies for 5G device producers who are not network operators to test their products.