~ Le Viêt Nam, aujourd'hui. ~
The Vietnam News

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[Year 2001]

Vietnam government to consider new internet rules

HANOI - The Vietnamese government may be set to open the Internet sector with draft proposals advocating fewer restrictions on Internet service provision, while laws punishing hackers and virus-spreaders also are on the table. Vietnam's telecom regulator, the Department General of Posts and Telecommunications (DGPT), recently submitted proposals for a draft government decree on the provision of Internet services.

Currently, only state telecom enterprises and government-controlled joint ventures with the private sector have been allowed to offer Internet access in Vietnam. The draft proposals recommend opening the local Net access market to competition between private Internet service providers. Also on the drawing board is permission for Vietnamese Internet companies to offer services to overseas customers, and for Vietnamese businesses to opt for Internet service providers based outside Vietnam. The DGPT recommends the Vietnamese government set up a legal framework to provide privacy and copyright protections to business and personal users. The proposals also suggest government agencies make use of the Internet, and encourage education, health and research establishments to do the same.

There are penalties to be introduced for misuse of the Internet, including for hacking into computers, spreading viruses, and for ISPs who don't meet a set quality of service. Fines for hacking and password cracking via Trojan horse programs would range from 10 million to 20 million dong ($682 to $1,365), according to the draft proposals. The same fines would also be levied for breaking Vietnamese Internet content regulations - "spreading information and images that have a negative impact and violating the law." Those creating and launching damaging viruses on to the Internet would suffer harsher fines between 20 million and 50 million Vietnamese dong ($1,365 and $3,412). The biggest fines would be reserved for hackers who "disturb and destroy" computer systems or databases - 50 million to 70 million dong ($3,412 to $4,776).

New ISPs who fail to provide or temporarily cease Internet access to paying customers without telling them would be subject to fines of 5 million to 10 million dong ($341 to $682). Those that fail to meet quality of service standards will be slapped with financial penalties between 10 million and 20 million dong ($682 and $1,365).

By Adam Creed - Newsbytes - June 13, 2001.


Vietnam to issue VoIP service provider licenses

HANOI - The Vietnamese government will open up the voice-over-Internet protocol (VoIP) market at the beginning of July. According to state-run carrier Vietnam Posts & Telecommunications (VNPT), the country's Department General of Posts and Telecommunications (DGPT) said it will issue licenses to providers of domestic long-distance VoIP services on July 1.

This will bring in a number of new VoIP service providers to compete with existing provider Vietel. The new licensees will be able to start operating voice-over-Internet services as soon as July 1. The DGPT also announced its intention to grant licenses to international VoIP service providers "later this year." The provision of international VoIP service requires a separate license. The DGPT plans to review national VoIP regulations every six months to ensure "a healthy competitive environment for all enterprises."

By Adam Creed - Newsbytes - June 12, 2001.