VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) would strictly control mobile phone and SMS services next year, said deputy minister of Information and Communications Le Nam Thang.

Thang was speaking on Thursday during a workshop to discuss the ministry's plans, adding that the ministry would submit a draft regulation to the Government on telecoms management.

This aimed to implement the Prime Minister's decision on the norms for telecoms projects involving national security, domains, and internet addresses, he noted.

The Department of Telecommunications under MIC is compiling draft regulations on the establishment and operation of mobile networks and bidding and equipment procurement in the telecoms industry.

It was also drafting programmes to develop broadband internet as well, Thang revealed, adding these draft regulations were expected to be submitted to MIC in the first quarter of next year.

This year, the department has asked MIC to issue circulars to manage pre-paid subscribers to classify telecoms services and to stipulate telecoms categories.

Under the new categories, an organisation or individual who owned over 20 per cent of charter capital or stake in one telecoms company would not be allowed to hold more than 20 per cent of charter capital or stake in others.

The circulars also included enhancing telecoms management, licence issuance, management of the telecoms market, charges, and quality.

The Deputy Minister said last year the Department of Telecommunications assisted the Ministry in making decisions to revoke the licences of virtual network mobile phone subscribers, and it also carried out management of phone charges and quality.

Thang also asked the department to build a legal framework to help Viet Nam's telecoms market develop in a stable manner.

Source: VNS