VietNamNet Bridge - All telecom operators must re-register to get new licences if the draft Telecom Law is passed next year.

The draft law also allows local enterprises from all economic sectors to set up telecom facilities and provide telecom services instead of giving the right to state-owned enterprises only.

The 15th draft of Telecom Law will require all operating telecom players to re-register for new licences defined as facilities construction companies, facilities-based operators and telecom service firms.

Pham Hong Hai, director of the Ministry of Information and Communications’ (MIC) Telecom Department, said within two years of the law becoming valid, local companies must apply for a new licence.

“The telecom enterprises diversification in the law is in line with the definition in the country’s World Trade Organization commitments on facilities-based and non-facilities-based operators,” said Hai.

The current post and telecommunications ordinance defines telecom operators as facilities-based and telecom service operators. The new facilities construction company model will enable local companies to set up telecom companies dedicated to construction or companies owning telecoms infrastructure for rent.

“For the time being, facilities-based operators also have the right to construct telecom works. However, it’s difficult for non-facilities based operators to hire as the former would use that infrastructure for its own business, rather than let its rivals to hire. Therefore, this new diversification will encourage telecom infrastructure common usage among operators,” said Hai.

The draft law also allows local enterprises from all economic sectors to set up telecom facilities and provide telecom services instead of giving the right to state-owned enterprises only.

“We have yet to define the maximum percentages of stakes that a company can hold in different telecom operators,” said Hai.

The MIC, however, will not let two telecom operators which hold more than a 50 per cent market share to merge into each other to ensure fair competition among firms.

The MIC will also write detailed regulations on defining telecom services that need certificates and allow telecom companies to sell or transfer licences or telecom resources.

“The concern now is to apply a dedicated regulation for telecom licence transfers or a general regulation to transfer licences,” said Hai. The draft law, expected to be submitted to the National Assembly early next year, consists of six charters and 54 articles.

(Source: VIR)