There are still poor and near-poor families without access to 4G smartphones, as deadline for 2G network shutdown draws near. (Photo: VOV)

In the first phase of the program, network providers offered 745 smartphones along with one year of free data usage. The program’s beneficiaries, most of whom are senior citizens, were also assisted with installing 4G SIM cards and setting up necessary applications, including the National Public Service Portal and apps for electronic transactions.

To date, telecommunication service providers have given nearly 2,240 smartphones in the city. The municipal People’s Committee will allocate funds to continue distributing smartphones directly to the people, so that all poor and near-poor households in Da Nang can receive free smartphones.