Mobile phone operators said they are making preparations to avoid network congestion during the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival.

The operators, including VinaPhone, MobiFone and Viettel will increase capacity on their networks, expand coverage areas and increase the number of 3G base transceiver stations (BTS) and mobile broadcast vehicles.

MobiFone said that a large number of customers would move from big cities to the southwestern region, central region and northern delta, therefore, capacity in these regions would be doubled or tripled.

The mobile operator has also increased its capacity at festival venues or places of amusement, to meet the predicted boom in demand.

30 broadcast vehicles would be deployed to places experiencing high demand.

Meanwhile, Viettel has prepared 74 vehicles for festival hotspots or crowded apartment blocks.

In addition, 200 wireless routers will also be set up at key locations ready for the upcoming Tet holiday.

Viettel has invested in more than 190 new BTS, improved hardware resources for nearly 2,200 BTS, and optimised and upgraded configurations on more than 14,000 broadcasting stations in all cities and provinces nationwide.

Viettel also expects to officially roll out 4G services across the country in the first quarter of this year.

Another mobile phone giant, VNPT – VinaPhone, has completed nearly 8,000 3G broadcast stations. The provider has the largest 3G coverage area in Viet Nam.

VNPT – Vinaphone has prepared plans to increase 3G services to increase capacity, expand coverage area and ensure 34 free wifi broadcast stations around Hoan Kiem Lake.

In other provinces and cities, as well as key locations, 3G broadcasting stations have been improved to ensure the provision of Internet services in the Lunar New Year holiday, said Vinaphone. — VNS