We are pleased to start our new partnership with Samsung. We look forward to work closely with all our partners as we move into the 5G era." Vietnam gears up for 5G, and looks ahead to 6G 5G services are on course for launch in Vietnam, according to Nokia, which has just signed a "major new deal with Viettel Group" to deploy 5G equipment for the first time nationwide. The Finnish vendor said the project will cover 22 provinces across the country and support Viettel's strategy of advancing 5G infrastructure and digital transformation. The project will also see Nokia modernize Viettel's 4G infrastructure. Deployment will begin this year, and Nokia noted that the 5G products have also been locally manufactured. Under the deal, Nokia will supply equipment from its 5G AirScale portfolio covering 2,500 sites.