VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Information and Communications looks set to issue a rule preventing local telecom companies from obstructing over-the-top (OTT) services such as Zalo and Viber.

Impacted by sharp falls in revenues, local mobile carriers are reportedly trying to block OTT services, which allow users to make free phone calls and send free text messages. In reality, users have found the quality of OTT services is declining.

The ministry is collecting suggestions for a draft circular managing Internet-based call and texting services. The draft stipulates that telecom firms are disallowed to bar OTT services in Vietnam.

However, they can block those services at the request of authorities or when OTT service providers fail to reach commercial agreements with network operators to provide chargeable services.

Besides, chargeable OTT service providers must be enterprises and obtain a license while those giving free services have no need to get a license. Foreign firms whose host servers are placed in Vietnam must clinch a deal with Vietnamese telecom firms to supply OTT services.

Domestic OTT service providers with over one million users must have at least one host server in Vietnam to facilitate inspections and provide user data as required by authorities.

Foreign and local firms giving free services and having one million users or higher must provide information regularly before January 30 each year or at the request of the ministry. The information includes name, address, office, number of users, call and message.

Providers of chargeable services must follow rules on charge and quality like traditional telecom companies. Mobile operators will have the right to ensure service quality with providers they have reached agreements with.

Telecom enterprises are also allowed to provide Internet services using OTT at different levels of quality and different charges.

Source: SGT