A rate cut by Vietnamese telecom firm Viettel starting Monday has not been approved by the Ministry of Information and Communication, an official said.

Viettel lowered its rates by up to 20 percent on Monday. The decision would face penalties from the ministry, news website Dan Tri said in a report Tuesday.

Deputy Minister Do Quy Doan said at a press briefing in Hanoi Monday that it was necessary to consider rate proposals with caution.

“We need to make sure the rates allow service providers to maintain their business while preventing monopolistic tendencies in the sector,” Doan said.

Source: Thanh Nien, Nguoi Lao Dong