The Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) has won the bid via auction to secure the right to use radio frequencies for the B1 band block (2,500-2,600 MHz) for its 5G network over the next 15 years.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Huy Dung said at the auction on March 8 that it was a historic day for Vietnam’s telecom sector and the commercialization of 5G.

It also serves as the basis to develop digital infrastructure and accelerate national digital transformation, he added.

Two other 5G bands, 3700-3800 MHz (C2) and 3800-3900 MHz (C3), are scheduled to be auctioned on March 14 and 19, with a starting price of VND1.89 trillion ($77.1 million).

The Ministry of Information and Communications approved the auction plan for the three bands in January.

Each enterprise is only allowed to win one band.