Ho Chi Minh City urges telecom giants to explore 6G trials

The proposal was issued by the municipal Department of Science and Technology following a recent meeting with mobile network operators currently active in the southern metropolis.

The meeting aimed to exchange information on global research trends and potential preparations for the roll-out of 6G technology.

Telecom representatives noted at the meeting that 6G remains in the research phase worldwide.

No official technical standards have yet been finalized, while commercial 6G-compatible end-user devices are not available on the market.

Also, mobile operators are focusing on expanding and optimizing 5G infrastructure, so there are no immediate plans at the subsidiary level to conduct independent 6G research or deployment.

Instead, 6G development is being considered at the broader corporate strategy level within each group.

Despite these challenges, the municipal department requested that the three telecom corporations study the proposal and provide written feedback by March 7.

The Ho Chi Minh City Steering Board for Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation on February 14 issued a plan to implement Resolution No. 57 of the Politburo on breakthroughs in national science and technology development, innovation and digital transformation in 2026.

Under the plan, the department is in charge of leading research, development, and pilot testing of 6G technology, while also proposing the Ministry of Science and Technology authorize experimental deployment in a specific area of the city.

Strong start to 2026 in science, technology

According to the Department of Science and Technology, the city has rolled out a series of notable science, technology, and digital transformation initiatives over the past two months.

Among them was a pilot program for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) deliveries in the Saigon Hi-Tech Park and along the Can Gio-Vung Tau route.

The city also hosted an investment promotion conference focused on digital infrastructure and large-scale data centers to support the development of an international financial center.

Several agreements have been signed to advance data center construction and artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Furthermore, Ho Chi Minh City is accelerating the completion of IT infrastructure to support digital transformation, deploying licensed AI assistant solutions for the public sector, working with the municipal People’s Council on digital infrastructure planning, and signing a cooperation program for the 2026-30 period with Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City.