The Authority of Radio Frequency Management (ARFM) has unveiled iSpectra, a groundbreaking mobile signal interference detection and monitoring system. According to the ARFM, no other country or telecom equipment manufacturer has developed a system like iSpectra.

On September 4, the Ministry of Science and Technology officially launched iSpectra, marking a significant milestone not only in frequency management but also in science and technology. It represents a major step forward in applying digital transformation and technological innovation to improve governance and national development.

In recent years, the rapid expansion of 4G and 5G networks, increased base station density, fast-paced urbanization, and a surge in wireless devices have led to more frequent interference affecting base station performance.

Identifying interference sources and resolving them has often been time-consuming and resource-intensive for both telecom providers and government authorities. This challenge prompted the creation of a nationwide mobile interference monitoring system.

From 2023 to 2025, ARFM collaborated with mobile carriers to develop iSpectra based on a new philosophy: turning base transceiver stations (BTS) into frequency-monitoring sensors.

This initiative is globally unprecedented, marking the first time a government agency has directly connected a mobile data collection system with telecom networks.

iSpectra embodies the Ministry’s strategy to transition from paper-based to data-driven management. By collecting real-time data, the system can monitor, detect, alert, locate, and resolve interference more efficiently, significantly reducing response time.

The approach delivers tangible benefits to citizens, service providers, and regulators alike, paving the way for future innovations.

Looking ahead, iSpectra will incorporate AI and machine learning technologies to process larger datasets, predict interference devices, and pinpoint their sources more accurately.

At the launch ceremony, ARFM Director Le Van Tuan emphasized that the development of iSpectra followed directives from Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung, with the aim of enabling earlier and more effective interference detection. He credited the system to innovative thinking and a disruptive approach.

"I have introduced this system to various countries and telecom manufacturers, and none have implemented a similar solution. iSpectra is the result of close coordination between regulators and carriers. It enables cross-verification among networks, accelerating interference resolution. In just one quarter of pilot use, the system identified 600 cases of interference - double what we would have detected using traditional methods. When deployed by VNPT, it reduced dropped calls due to interference by 30 percent. This is a practical solution that’s already proving effective. We plan to present it at international forums across the region,” Tuan stated.

He also revealed that the next phase will see iSpectra enhanced with AI to further improve detection. It will replace the current online reporting system for frequency interference and offer insights into spectrum usage efficiency.

Mobile carriers affirm iSpectra’s effectiveness

At the launch, leading carriers including Viettel, VNPT, and MobiFone confirmed that iSpectra had been practically implemented and delivered tangible results.

Nguyen Dat, Deputy General Director of Viettel, shared that the company operates 51,000 mobile base stations and approximately 300,000 4G cells, covering 98% of Vietnam’s population.

As Viettel prepares to scale up its 5G network to match the size of 4G, maintaining manual methods for interference detection would be inefficient and unsustainable.

He noted that although the system seems simple, its real-world impact is substantial. Since its introduction on April 1, 2025, iSpectra has autonomously detected 70 interference sources - up 65% from the quarterly average in 2024 - with a detection accuracy of 76% (compared to 65% previously). The system also cut processing time by more than 50%, saving around 1,080 working hours annually.

The system marks the foundation of digital transformation in national spectrum management. Viettel recommended accelerating phase 2 deployment of iSpectra, including the addition of AI features for automated detection, classification, and geolocation of interference sources, as well as extending coverage to 5G stations and improving data reporting and task management.

Viettel committed to collaborating with ARFM to develop high-precision smart algorithms and aims to roll out phase 2 of iSpectra in 2026.

Additionally, Viettel proposed expanding interference monitoring to other use cases, such as cross-border frequency coordination and infrastructure support for emerging industries like low-altitude economic development and specialized communications networks.

ARFM is encouraged to further drive digital transformation in spectrum management, aiming for complete automation from licensing and fee collection to monitoring and performance evaluation.

Thai Khang