For decades, Trạm Củ village in Pú Nhung commune was often described as an isolated “island.” Located more than 20 kilometers from the commune center, it was the most disadvantaged village in the area, lacking electricity, mobile signal, and internet access. The information gap not only hindered teaching and learning activities at Trạm Củ satellite campus of Ta Ma Semi-Boarding Primary School for Ethnic Minorities, but also became a major obstacle to local economic development.

At the end of 2025, under a strategic cooperation program between the Điện Biên provincial People’s Committee and OSB Group, a satellite internet station was officially inaugurated in the village. Instead of relying on traditional fiber-optic cables, which are difficult to deploy across rugged mountainous terrain, the system uses satellite dishes connected to the OSBSAT-1 satellite to provide stable internet access. For the first time, domestic phone signals reached Trạm Củ, enabling teachers to access digital lesson plans and remote training while giving local residents access to news, healthcare, and online education services.

Tòng Văn Nghiến, Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Pú Nhung commune, said that in the past, residents of Trạm Củ had to travel long and difficult distances to the commune center just to submit documents or complete administrative procedures. Now, thanks to the satellite internet station, the locality has implemented the two-tier local government model, allowing online administrative procedures to be processed directly within the village. The Trạm Củ school site has also become a community internet access point, helping residents become familiar with digital public services without exhausting travel.

Alongside Pú Nhung, Chiềng Sinh commune has also made significant progress in eliminating telecommunications “dead zones.” Recently, the commune partnered with Viettel Điện Biên to expand 4G coverage to its two most remote villages, Huổi Nôm and Hua Sát. To further promote digital inclusion, more than 100 smartphones and 4G SIM cards were distributed directly to local households, achieving the goal of ensuring that every household in the two villages owns a smartphone.

Hà Cầm Hồng, Secretary of the Chiềng Sinh commune Party Committee, emphasized: “The deployment of 4G coverage is not merely a technical achievement; it is an important milestone in the commune’s digital transformation journey, especially for these two villages. It helps gradually eliminate information gaps, expand trade opportunities, and improve educational awareness among local residents.”

To further advance digital infrastructure development, Chiềng Sinh commune has issued a digital infrastructure development plan for the 2026-2030 period, aiming to synchronize data systems and improve governance and administration. By 2030, the commune targets 4G broadband coverage in 100% of villages and residential areas, while over 40% of villages are expected to have 5G access and high speed fiber-optic internet connectivity. This is considered an important step toward improving state management efficiency and creating a foundation for the digital economy in agriculture and essential services.

In reality, developing telecommunications infrastructure in Điện Biên continues to face major challenges typical of a mountainous border province. Rugged terrain and low population density significantly increase investment costs, while limited commercial returns make it difficult for telecom companies to expand services. Many remote and border areas frequently experience signal blackouts due to harsh weather and flooding. Extending fiber-optic cables from commune centers to highland villages also remains difficult because of land constraints and limited resources.

To address these bottlenecks, the province has strengthened coordination mechanisms between authorities and telecommunications enterprises. Rather than investing in a scattered manner, the province prioritizes identifying uncovered areas and resolving connectivity gaps according to a clear roadmap. One key solution is integrating digital infrastructure development with other infrastructure programs so that telecommunications networks are deployed simultaneously with the expansion of the national power grid, thereby optimizing costs.

At the same time, the province encourages telecom companies to apply technologies suited to mountainous conditions, such as low power transmission stations and solar-powered base stations in areas without stable electricity access. Alongside technical investment, Điện Biên places special emphasis on improving digital skills among residents. Through community digital technology teams and initiatives such as “digital associations” and “digital families”, ethnic minority communities are being guided on how to use smartphones, access online public services, and promote agricultural products through digital platforms.

Statistics show that the province’s telecommunications infrastructure is expanding at an impressive pace. Currently, five enterprises provide telecommunications and internet services across the province. Before 2025, Điện Biên averaged around 60 BTS stations annually, yet in just the first three months of 2026, 114 new stations were installed. To date, the province has 1,239 BTS station sites, with 4G coverage reaching 100% of commune and ward centers and 98% of residential areas. Notably, the province has also begun deploying 242 5G stations, positioning itself to embrace next generation technologies.

Fiber-optic infrastructure now covers 100% of commune centers and 89% of villages and hamlets. Mobile subscription density has reached 87 subscriptions per 100 people, while 60% of households now have broadband internet access. These indicators reflect increasingly widespread access to technology among residents and provide a solid foundation for the effective implementation of e-commerce, digital education, and digital healthcare services in Điện Biên.

With digital infrastructure steadily taking shape, Điện Biên is preparing to enter a new stage of modern and sustainable development in the digital age.