The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has asked telecoms
companies to cooperate with businesses providing over-the-top (OTT)
services to allow free phone calls and messages for users.
The request was included in Instruction N°75 on telecoms issued on October 30 and signed by Minister Nguyen Bac Son.
Telecom companies are required to submit their internet fees for
mobile phones and OTT services for approval with the Department of
Telecommunications.
The ministry also asked the
department to investigate new services and technology developments, and
to provide recommendations that reduce the negative impact on
businesses.
The instruction was released amid a
rapid rise in the number of Vietnamese users subscribing to OTT
services, including the US’s Viber and Vietnam’s Zalo. The surge is said
to be the main cause of recent losses reported by telecom giants
MobiFone, Viettel and VinaPhone.
Although leaders of
the telecom companies said their latest 3G fee increase did not apply
to OTT services, users believed they were related.
Quality standards
Speaking with online newspaper Vietnamplus on November 4, Deputy
Minister of Information and Communications Le Nam Thang said that
when 3G networks were introduced in Vietnam, suitable quality standards
had not been determined for the country.
He also said that Vietnam could not use foreign standards due to differences in network scale and technology.
Agencies under the ministry were compliant with the quality standards
for 3G and the ministry was reviewing them prior to public release, he
said.
“Whether 3G fees are adjusted or not, the service quality must be ensured,” Thang said.
Pham Hong Hai, head of the Department of Telecommunications, said the
increase had a legitimate legal basis and did not violate pricing
regulations or threaten fair competition in the market.
Thang asked the department to cooperate with enterprises and the
Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Vietnam Competition Authority to
finalise reports for submission to the government soon.
“We will try to complete them this week. Figures on the cost, regional
prices, supply and demand and others will be publicised,” he said.-VNA