PM Okays Public Utility Telecom Development Programme to 2010

With a target of bringing internet and telecom services to all Vietnamese people, especially those in mountainous, remote and difficult areas, the Government has decided to carry out a programme to develop public utility telecom until 2010 with a total investment of VND5,200 billion (US$325 million). Of the sum, VND5,100 billion (US$318.75 million) will come from the Vietnam Public Utility Telecom Fund and VND100 billion from other sources.

 

Accordingly, by 2010, the tele-density in the benefited areas will reach over 5 telephones for every 100 residents, all communes have public telephone booths, 70 per cent of communes have public internet services and all residents will have free access to compulsory telecom services.

 

The public-utility telecom service package includes the elementary telecom service and compulsory telecom service. The elementary telecom service comprise of the standard telephone service and the standard internet access service, which is stipulated by the Ministry of Posts and Telecoms. The compulsory telecom service comprise of emergency communication needs like emergency aids, health, national security and order, fire fighting, natural disaster prevention, search and rescue activities, telephone directory lookup and other services for emergency activities of the State.