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Vietnam Mobile Spectrum Adjustments: Circulars 27/2026 and 29/2026 Reshape the 470-960 MHz Range

ByHalim Reyna

Two Circulars, One Coordinated Mobile Spectrum Realignment

On May 31, 2026, Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) issued two circulars that reshape the country’s mobile spectrum framework. Circular No. 27/2026/TT-BKHCN takes effect on July 16, 2026, and governs the transition of the 470-694 MHz band away from terrestrial digital television toward future mobile spectrum use. Circular No. 29/2026/TT-BKHCN takes effect on September 16, 2026, and formally designates the 900 MHz band as mobile spectrum for 3G, 4G, and 5G communications.

Both circulars build on Vietnam’s broader digital infrastructure roadmap, which sets 2026 as a pivotal year for legacy network retirement and spectrum reallocation. Manufacturers and importers of mobile terminal equipment, base station equipment, and IoT devices operating in these frequency ranges should review their product certifications against the new timelines.

Circular 27/2026/TT-BKHCN: Reassigning the 470-694 MHz Band

Circular 27/2026/TT-BKHCN allocates the 470-606 MHz range to terrestrial digital television services. This portion of the band remains dedicated to broadcast use without the conditional transition clause that applies to the adjacent range.

The 606-694 MHz range is treated differently. MST retains the authority to approve new terrestrial digital television business license applications or extensions within this band, but any such approval or extension cannot extend beyond December 31, 2028. This creates a fixed outer boundary for broadcast operations in the upper portion of the band, regardless of individual license terms.

The Six-Month Migration Trigger for 606-694 MHz

The circular includes a conditional mechanism rather than an automatic cutover date for the 606-694 MHz band. If MST issues an official written notice confirming that this band will be reassigned to mobile communications, all entities still operating terrestrial digital television services in that range must complete their transition to a compliant band, such as 470-606 MHz, within six months of receiving the notice.

This structure gives MST flexibility to time the mobile reassignment according to network readiness rather than committing to a fixed date in the circular itself. For broadcasters and equipment suppliers, this means monitoring MST notices directly rather than relying solely on the December 2028 backstop, since the six-month window could be triggered well before that date.

Circular 29/2026/TT-BKHCN: Mobile Spectrum in the 900 MHz Band Moves to 3G/4G/5G

Circular 29/2026/TT-BKHCN designates 890-915 MHz as the uplink band and 935-960 MHz as the downlink band. These ranges can be used for 3G, 4G, and 5G mobile communications once the circular takes effect on September 16, 2026.

The circular sets September 14, 2028 as the deadline for 3G use within this band. This aligns with Vietnam’s broader legacy network retirement schedule, under which 2G base stations nationwide are required to shut down by September 15, 2026, with the 900 MHz spectrum previously tied to 2G services becoming available for 4G and 5G deployment shortly after.

Broader Context: Vietnam’s 2026 Mobile Spectrum Refarming Roadmap

These two circulars form part of a wider mobile spectrum realignment effort that MST has pursued through 2026. The ministry’s national radio frequency master plan, developed in line with World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 outcomes, updates dozens of frequency bands to support 5G, prospective 6G development, and Wi-Fi 6E/7 deployment. The 600 MHz range freed by the digital television transition is expected to support national 5G and 6G rollouts, particularly in rural coverage areas, while the 700-900 MHz range moves toward flexible sharing between mobile and other wireless services.

For certification purposes, this means the regulatory environment for terminal equipment, base stations, and IoT devices operating near these bands will continue to shift through 2028, and vendors should expect further technical standard updates from MST as the transition progresses.

Key Takeaways

  • Manufacturers with products certified for the 606-694 MHz band should track MST’s official notices directly, since the six-month migration window can begin before the December 31, 2028 backstop date.
  • Equipment operating in the 890-915 MHz and 935-960 MHz ranges should be evaluated now for 4G/5G compliance ahead of the September 16, 2026 effective date, particularly given the parallel 2G shutdown occurring the day before.

Source

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