The 3G network was launched, Yahoo!360 closed and new laws on telecommunications were approved. Here we list the top 10 information and communication technology events of the year.

VietNamNet Bridge – The 3G network was launched, Yahoo!360 closed and new laws on telecommunications were approved. Here we list the top 10 information and communication technology events of the year.

1. The appearance of 3G networks in Vietnam

After six years of preparation, VinaPhone became the first operator to launch 3G services in Vietnam on October 12, covering 13 provinces and cities. MobiFone followed on December 15 while Viettel announced its intentions to offer 3G services soon.

2. The World IT Forum held in Vietnam the first time

Organized every two years, the World IT Forum (WITFOR) is amongst the largest and most prestigious IT events in the world. Under the theme: “IT for sustainable development”, Vietnam successfully organized WITFOR 2009, with nearly 1,500 delegates from 70 countries and territories. This event reaffirmed Vietnam’s position in the world IT community and showcased efforts to encourage the application of IT in all fields of life.

3. Yahoo!360 closes, Facebook becomes a new trend

After several delays, Yahoo! closed its blog service Yahoo!360 in Vietnam on July 14. Vietnamese bloggers moved to a nuymber of different social networks as many were disappointed with the replacement Yahoo!360 Plus. Facebook became the popular choice and attracted Vietnamese users with its online games such as Farmville and Barn Buddy.

4. The National Assembly issues the Laws on Telecommunications and Wireless Radio Frequency

The two laws were approved by the National Assembly on November 23. They will take effect from July 1 2010. The two new laws are believed to favor government policy aimed at encouraging all economic sectors, including the private, to develop their telecommunications infrastructure.

5. Controversy between BKIS and VnCert

On July 12, the Bach Khoa Internet Security Centre (BKIS) announced on its blog news of two servers based in the UK which launched DDoS attacks on American and Korean websites. As this was the largest ever DDoS attack, the information was reported by local and foreign newspapers and websites including USA Today, PC World and News.com.

However, on July 16, the Vietnam Computer Emergency Response Team (VnCert) sent an urgent dispatch to the University of Technology asking the university to warn the BKIS, saying that it had received an official complaint from the Korean Computer Emergency Response Team (KrCert). KrCert said BKIS seriously violated Vietnamese and international laws when it “took control” of the two servers to analyze source codes. KrCert also accused BKIS of making public inaccurate information, which could cause misunderstanding.

After the VnCert’s move, BKIS protested via the media. The resulting controversy only cooled down with the intervention of the Ministry of Information and Communications.

6. Licensing virtual network operators

On August 19, Indochina Telecom received a license to become the 8^th mobile service provider in Vietnam in the form of the full mobile virtual network operator – Full MVNO. As part of this model, Indochina Telecom did not have to build a based transceiver stations (BTS) but instead shared BTS with Viettel.

The Prime Minister also agreed in principle with VTC Group’s establishment of a virtual network.

7. Dispute over hanging telecom cables on electric poles

Conflict between the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) and the Electricity of Vietnam Group (EVN) over the leasing price of electricity poles used to hang telecom cables has been dragged out for over the year after EVN decided to raise the leasing price of its electric poles.

VNPT and Viettel, amongst others, attempted to negotiate with EVN several times but couldn’t reach an agreement. EVN said telecom operators hung their cables on EVN’s electric poles carelessly and that electric poles were for supplying power to society, not for hanging telecom cables.

In September, EVN asked local power companies to remove telecom cables from electric poles however it didn’t end there. Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Trade had to intervene by asking EVN to stop removing telecom cables. If the two sides are unable to reach agreement by January 5, 2010, they will have to report to the Ministry for settlement.

8. Application of digital signatures

On September 15, the Ministry of Information and Communication granted the first license to provide certification services of digital signatures to the VNPT. Accordingly, VNPT is permitted to supply the certification service of digital signatures for individuals and organizations to use in public activities. It is said that this will help sped up the implementation of e-commerce, e-transaction and e-government in Vietnam.

9. The first ICT Awards

The Ministry of Information and Communication on March 14 granted the first national ICT Awards to honor ICT enterprises and businesses which have greatly contributed to the country’s ICT sector.

10.Newspaper via mobile phones

On December 16, VietNamNet became the first online newspaper in Vietnam that has a version for mobile phones (www.vietnamnet.vn/mobi). VietnamPlus, the Vietnam News Agency’s online newspaper also announced plans to launch a similar service very soon.

VietNamNet