Circular No. 12/2021/TT-BTTTT Issuing "National Technical Regulations on Quality of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Cable Services"

These regulations specify the quality of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services on terrestrial fixed telecommunications networks, including technical and management requirements to ensure that IPTV service quality meets standards. The regulations apply to businesses providing IPTV services and stipulate their responsibilities for compliance and declaration of conformity with service quality standards.

Document No.12/2021/TT-BTTTT
Document typeCircular
Issuing authorityMinistry of Science and Technology
Signed byNguyễn Mạnh Hùng — Bộ trưởng
Updated13/06/2026
SectorInformation and Communications
FieldScience and TechnologyRadio, Television and Electronic Information
Issued date29/10/2021
Effective date01/05/2022
Expiry date
StatusIn effect
✦ Smart summary

These regulations specify the quality of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services on terrestrial fixed telecommunications networks, including technical and management requirements to ensure that IPTV service quality meets standards. The regulations apply to businesses providing IPTV services and stipulate their responsibilities for compliance and declaration of conformity with service quality standards.

Scope of application

Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services on terrestrial fixed telecommunications networks

Key points

  • Technical Requirements: Image quality, sound quality, service setup time, and service recovery time.
  • Service Quality Management: Service availability, service setup time, service recovery time, customer complaints about service quality, response to customer complaints, customer assistance services.
  • Responsibilities of organizations and individuals in complying with these regulations.
  • Provisions on managing the quality of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services on terrestrial fixed telecommunications networks.
  • Replaces National Technical Regulation QCVN 84:2014/BTTTT.

🌐 Social impact of this document

  • Ensures that IPTV service quality meets standards, enhancing user experience.
  • Provides a legal basis for managing and monitoring the quality of IPTV services.

❓ Frequently asked questions

To whom does this regulation apply?

Applies to businesses providing Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services on terrestrial fixed telecommunications networks.

What are the quality indicators for image and sound in these regulations?

These regulations do not specifically list technical indicators for image and sound quality but require IPTV services to comply with TCVN 8689:2011.

What is the maximum service setup time for IPTV?

- For existing subscriber lines: ≥ 90% of service provision contracts have a service setup time E ≤ 3 days. - For non-existing subscriber lines: + Urban areas, towns: ≥ 90% of service provision contracts have a service setup time E ≤ 5 days (excluding holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays). + Townships, villages: ≥ 90% of service provision contracts have a service setup time E ≤ 5 days (excluding holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays).

Full text

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION
--------

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness
---------------

Number: 12/2021/TT-BTTTT

Hanoi, October 29, 2021

CIRCULAR

Issuing "National Technical Regulations on Quality of Internet Protocol Cable Television (IPTV) Service" Issuing "National Technical Regulations on Quality of Internet Protocol Cable Television (IPTV) Service"

Pursuant to the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations dated June 29, 2006;

Pursuant to the Law on Telecommunications dated November 23, 2009;

Pursuant to the Law on Radio Frequency dated November 23, 2009;

Pursuant to Decree No. 127/2007/NĐ-CP dated August 1, 2007 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations;

Pursuant to Decree No. 78/2018/NĐ-CP dated May 16, 2018 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 127/2007/NĐ-CP dated August 1, 2007 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Standards and Technical Regulations;

Pursuant to Decree No. 17/2017/NĐ-CP dated February 17, 2017, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Information and Communications;

Pursuant to the proposal of the Director of the Science and Technology Department,

The Minister of Information and Communications issues this Circular stipulating National Technical Regulations on Quality of Internet Protocol Cable Television (IPTV) Service.

Clause 4 of Article 6Attached herewith are the National Technical Regulations on Quality of Internet Protocol Cable Television (IPTV) Service (QCVN 84:2021/BTTTT).

Article 2. Effectiveness

1. This Circular shall take effect from May 1, 2022.

2. Circular No. 08/2014/TT-BTTTT dated July 30, 2014 of the Minister of Information and Communications promulgating "National Technical Regulations on Quality of IPTV Service over Public Fixed Telecommunication Network" shall cease to be effective from May 1, 2022.

Article 3. The Director of the Office, Heads of Departments under the Ministry of Information and Communications, Heads of units under the Ministry of Information and Communications, Directors of Provincial Departments of Information and Communications, and organizations and individuals concerned are responsible for implementing this Circular./.

Place of receipt:                                                            

- Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers (for circulation);

- Ministries, agencies equivalent to ministries, and government agencies;

- Provincial People's Councils, Provincial People's Committees;

- Central Party Office and Party Committees;

- National Assembly's Office;

- President's Office;

- Supreme People's Court;

- Supreme People's Procuracy;

- Provincial Departments of Information and Communications;

- Legal Documents Supervision Bureau (Ministry of Justice);

- Official Gazette, Government Electronic Portal;

- Ministry of Information and Communications: Ministers, Deputy Ministers, departments and units under the Ministry, the Ministry's electronic portal;

- To be filed: VT, KHCN (250).

THE MINISTER

Nguyen Manh Hung

 

 

 

 

 

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM

 

 

 

QCVN 84:2021/BTTTT

 

 

AMENDMENT 1:2025 QCVN 07:2023/BXD

ON QUALITY OF INTERNET PROTOCOL CABLE TV SERVICE (IPTV)

 

 

National technical regulation

on quality of Internet protocol cable TV service (IPTV)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HANOI - 2021

 

 

 

QCVN 84:2014/BTTTT

 

QCVN 81:2014/BTTTT

 

Table of Contents

 

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS.. 5

1.1. Scope of Regulation. 5

1.2. Applicability. 5

1.3. Referenced Documents. 5

1.4. Definitions. 5

1.5. ABBREVIATIONS 7

2. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS. 7

2.1. QUALITY INDICATORS 7

2.1.1. Video Signal Quality. 7

2.1.2. Transmission Parameters. 7

2.2. Quality Service Indicators. 9

2.2.1. Service Availability. 9

2.2.2. Service Setup Time. 10

2.2.3. Service Restoration Time. 10

2.2.4. Customer Complaints about Service Quality. 10

2.2.5. Response to Customer Complaints. 11

2.2.6. Customer Support Service. 11

3. MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS. 11

4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS. 12

5. IMPLEMENTATION. 12

References. 13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Foreword

QCVN 84:2021/BTTTT replaces QCVN 84:2014/BTTTT.

QCVN 84:2021/BTTTT was compiled by the Institute of Post and Telecommunications Science and Technology, submitted for review by the Department of Science and Technology, examined by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and issued together with Circular No. .../2021/TT-BTTTT dated ..., ..., 2021.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

AMENDMENT 1:2025 QCVN 07:2023/BXD

 

ON QUALITY OF INTERNET PROTOCOL CABLE TV SERVICE (IPTV)

National technical regulation

on quality of Internet protocol cable TV service (IPTV)

 

QCVN 84:2014/BTTTT

 

Chapter 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.1. Scope of Application

These regulations specify the limits of quality indicators for Internet Protocol Cable Television (IPTV) services on fixed terrestrial telecommunications networks in Vietnam.

1.2. Applicability

These regulations apply to state management agencies and enterprises providing IPTV services on fixed terrestrial telecommunications networks.

These regulations also serve as a basis for users to monitor the quality of IPTV services provided by enterprises on fixed terrestrial telecommunications networks.

1.3. Referenced Documents

TR-126 (12/2006): “Triple-play Services Quality of Experience (QoE) Requirements, DSL Forum”.

IETF RFC 3357 (8/2002): “One-way Loss Pattern Sample Metrics”.

ITU-T P.910 (04/2008): “Subjective video quality assessment methods for multimedia applications”.

ITU-T P.913 (3/2016): “Methods for the subjective assessment of video quality, audio quality and audiovisual quality of Internet video and distribution quality television in any environment”.

ITU-T J.343 (11/2014): Hybrid perceptual bitstream models for objective video quality measurements.

ITU-T J.343 Amendment 1 (5/2018): Hybrid perceptual bitstream models for objective video quality measurements - Amendment 1.

1.4. Terms and Definitions

1.4.1. IPTV Service

A type of broadcasting and television service using technical infrastructure for cable television transmission, applying Internet Protocol (IPTV) to provide radio and television program channels to service users.

1.4.2. IPTV Service Provider (ISP)

An enterprise providing IPTV services in accordance with current regulations of the State and the Ministry of Information and Communications.

1.4.3. Customer (Service User)

Individuals or organizations from Vietnam or abroad using IPTV services in Vietnam.

1.4.4. Service Quality

The overall result of quality indicators reflecting the satisfaction level of service users with the service.

1.4.5. Incident

The failure of one or more elements in the network of the IPTV service provider leading to the interruption of service provision.

1.4.6. Determination Method

The determination method is a set of service quality evaluation methods with a minimum sampling rate prescribed for state management agencies and IPTV service providers to use in measuring service quality.

1.4.7. Application Layer

The level at which different application parameters are established, such as screen resolution, encoder type, bit rate, signal decoder recovery, etc. It may also include pre-correction of application layer errors.

1.4.8. MOS - Mean Opinion Score

MOS is derived by averaging the results of a standard set of subjective tests where users rate quality on a five-point scale: from 1 (Poor / Very annoying) to 5 (Excellent / Imperceptible defects). MOS is the arithmetic mean of all rating scores.

1.4.9. Transport Layer

The layer is responsible for transmitting service packets from one entity to another entity. The transmission layer uses routing and forwarding to perform its function. It may also use traffic management mechanisms when necessary. Different network degradation (packet loss, delay, jitter) can occur here, and QoS, error correction mechanisms may be used within the transmission layer. For the purposes of this standard, the transmission layer includes Layer 4 and lower layers from the OSI network model.

1.4.10. Sequence number

Consecutive packets in a time sequence are defined as sequence numbers, which are consecutive integers. This standard does not specify precisely how sequence numbers should be combined with packets. Sequence numbers may be contained in test packets, or they may be derived through subsequent processing of the sample.

1.4.11. Delay variation

The change in packet transmission delay over time from sender to receiver

1.4.12. Maximum event duration

The maximum allowable time period during which an error event occurs due to packet loss or a certain number of erroneous packets.

1.4.13. IP packet loss cycle

Let P_i be the i-th packet.

Define f(P_i) = 1 if P_i is lost, otherwise f(P_i) = 0.

Then, an IP packet loss cycle begins if f(P_i) = 1 and f(P_(i-1)) = 0.

1.4.14. Packet loss distance

The difference in sequence numbers of two consecutive lost packets, which may or may not be separated by successfully received packets.

Example: In a packet stream, the packet with sequence number 20 is considered lost, followed by a packet with sequence number 50. The packet loss distance is 30.

1.4.15. Average IP video stream packet loss rate

The ratio between the number of lost IP packets and the total number of IP packets transmitted in a video stream over a specified period of time.

1.5. Abbreviations

 

AVS

Audio and Video coding Standard

Audio and video coding standard

HDTV

High Definition TeleVision

High definition television

IP

Internet Protocol

Internet protocol

IPTV

Internet Protocol TeleVision

Internet protocol television

MOS

Mean Opinion Score

Mean opinion score

MPEG

Moving Pictures Expert Group

Moving picture experts group

QoS

Quality of Service

Service Quality

SDTV

Standard Definition TeleVision

Standard definition television

SMPTE

Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers

Society of motion picture and television engineers

STB

Set Top Box

Set-top box

TV

Television

Television

VC-1

Video codec - 1

Video codec developed by Microsoft

VoD

Video on Demand

Video on demand

 

Chapter 2. TECHNICAL PROVISIONS

 

2.1. Technical Quality Indicators

2.1.1. Video signal quality

2.1.1.1. Definition

Video signal quality is an integrated measure of video transmission quality determined by calculating the mean opinion score (MOS) from 1 to 5 according to ITU-T P.913.

2.1.1.2. Indicator

Average image quality MOS ≥ 3.0.

2.1.1.3. Determination Method

Using the measurement method according to ITU-T J.343 and converting to the MOS scale.

2.1.2. Transmission parameters

2.1.2.1. Definition

These are indicators at the transmission layer ensuring video service quality in IPTV.

2.1.2.2. Indicator

To ensure video service quality, transmission parameters must comply with the values specified in Table 1 and Table 2 respectively.

a) Resolution resolve chuẩn

Encoder-decoder H.264 or encoding according to SMPTE 421M standard

The minimum performance of the transmission layer for broadcast TV services needed to provide acceptable performance when using H.264 encoder-decoders or encoding according to the SMPTE 421M standard:

Assumptions for Table 1 are as follows:

  • H.264 encoder-decoder or encoding according to the SMPTE 421M standard;
  • MPEG transport stream with seven 188-byte packets per IP data packet;
  • No PLC (Packet Loss Concealment) technology or minimal PLC (the allowed packet loss rate may be higher depending on the level and technical quality of PLC in the STB);
  • Measurement is end-to-end, from the output of the encoder endpoint to any application layer protection mechanisms at the customer's premises;

Table 1 - Transmission criteria for SDTV services encoded with H.264 or according to the SMPTE 421M standard encrypted SDTV services using H.264 encoding or according to the SMPTE 421M standard

Bit rate of the transport stream (Mbit/s)

Delay variation

(ms)

Maximum event duration

(ms)

Corresponding IP packet loss cycle (IP packets)

 

Packet loss distance

(events per hour)

 

 

Corresponding average IP video stream packet loss rate

1.75

< 50

≤ 16

< 4

≤ 1

≤ 6.68 x 10-6

2.0

< 50

≤ 16

< 5

≤ 1

≤ 7.31 x 10-6

2.5

< 50

≤ 16

< 5

≤ 1

≤ 5.85 x 10-6

3.0

< 50

≤ 16

< 6

≤ 1

≤ 5.85 x 10-6

 

b) High-definition TV

It is recommended that the value of 4 hours be used as the minimum packet loss distance for HDTV services, assuming that not all errors will lead to noticeable degradation, because:

  • Frame B information loss sometimes falls below the noticeable threshold;
  • Error concealment techniques will be used with HDTV decoders.

H.264 encoder-decoder, SMPTE 421M or AVS

The table below shows the minimum performance levels of the transmission layer required for packet loss cycles and packet loss distances when using H.264, SMPTE 421M, or AVS encoder-decoders.

Assumptions for Table 2 are as follows:

  • H.264 encoder-decoder, SMPTE 421M, or AVS;
  • MPEG transport stream with seven 188-byte packets per IP data packet;
  • STB has several levels of PLC;
  • Measurement is end-to-end, from the output of the encoder endpoint to any application layer protection mechanisms at the customer's premises;
  • Measurement rules apply to IP streams containing only video flows; IP streams for other applications may have different quality requirements.

Table 2 - Transmission standards for HDTV encoded with H.264, SMPTE 421M or AVS services (event errors in 4 hours) HDTV services encoded with H.264, SMPTE 421M, or AVS

Bit rate of the transport stream (Mbit/s)

 

 

Delay variation

(ms)

 

Maximum event duration

(ms)

 

Corresponding IP packet loss cycle

(IP packets)

 

Packet loss distance

≤ 1.28 x 10

 

Corresponding average IP video stream packet loss rate

8

< 50

≤ 16

< 14

≤ 1

≤ 1.24 x 10-6

10.0

< 50

≤ 16

< 17

≤ 1

≤ 1.22 x 10-6

12.0

< 50

≤ 16

< 20

≤ 1

Monitoring method. Use monitoring devices at the subscriber terminal equipment (STB) under conditions where the STB has or does not have error correction capability.-6

 

2.1.2.3. Determination Method

Transmission parameters only apply to IP streams carrying video content.

2.2.  Quality service indicators

2.2.1.  Service availability

2.2.1.1.  Definition

Service availability (

) is the ratio of time during which the fixed terrestrial telecommunications network service provider (DNCCDV) is ready to provide service to customers:Domestic air passenger transport service on regular basic economy class: Time of incidents attributable to the DNCCDV calculated according to the formula:

 

Where:

 SPORTS FService availability determination period;

 SPORTS f Ri

 

 NTotal number of incidents during the service availability determination period;

: Total number of IPTV subscribers at the time of incident i ri;

: Number of IPTV subscribers affected by incident i ti;

duration of incident i 2.2.1.2.  Indicator.

Service availability ≥ 99.5 %.

2.2.1.3.  Determination method

Statistical method. Statistically analyze all incidents during the period for determining availability. The minimum determination period is 3 months.

2.2.2. Service setup time

Service setup time (E) is the period from when the DNCCDV signs a service provision contract for IPTV on the fixed terrestrial telecommunications network with the customer until the customer can use the service. If the DNCCDV cannot sign a service provision contract, within 3 days from the date of receiving the service provision request from the customer, the DNCCDV must notify the customer in writing about the refusal to sign the service contract and clearly state the reasons for the refusal.

2.2.2.1. Definition

- In cases where there is already a subscriber line: ≥ 90 % of service provision contracts have a service setup time E ≤ 3 days.

2.2.2.2. Index

- In cases where there is no subscriber line:

+ Urban areas, towns: ≥ 90 % of service provision contracts have a service setup time E ≤ 5 days (excluding holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays).

+ Towns, villages: ≥ 90 % of service provision contracts have a service setup time E ≤ 5 days (excluding holidays, Saturdays, and Sundays).

Statistical method. Statistically analyze all IPTV service setup requests on the fixed terrestrial telecommunications network of the DNCCDV over a minimum period of 3 months.

2.2.2.3. Determination method

2.2.3. Service restoration time

Service restoration time (R) is calculated from the moment the DNCCDV receives notification of service loss from the customer or from the company's system until the service is restored.

2.2.3.1. Definition

- Urban areas, towns: ≥ 95 % of service losses have R ≤ 36 hours.

2.2.3.2. Index

- Towns, villages: ≥ 95 % of service losses have R ≤ 72 hours.

Statistical method. Fully record service restoration times over a minimum period of 3 months.

2.2.3.3. Determination method

2.2.4. Customer complaints about service quality

Customer complaints about service quality are expressions of dissatisfaction by customers regarding the service quality reported to the DNCCDV in writing or through the complaint reception portal of the DNCCDV.

2.2.4.1. Definition

The number of customer complaints about service quality (through various forms: sending written documents, making phone calls, sending messages, emails...) ≤ 0.25 complaints/100 customers/3 months.

2.2.4.2. Index

Statistical method. Statistically analyze all customer complaints about service quality over a minimum continuous period of 3 months.

2.2.4.3. Determination method

2.2.5. Customer complaint response

2.2.5.1. Definition

A customer complaint response is a written or electronic message from the DNCCDV informing the customer who has filed a complaint about the receipt and consideration of the complaint.

2.2.5.2. Indicator

- The DNCCDV must respond in writing to 100 % of complaining customers within 48 hours from the time of receiving the complaint in writing.

- The DNCCDV must respond (by phone call, message, email,...) to 100 % of complaining customers within 48 hours from the time of receiving the complaint not in writing (customer makes a phone call, sends a message, sends an email,...).

2.2.5.3. Determination method

Statistical method. Statistically analyze all written responses to customer complaints about service quality over a minimum continuous period of 3 months.

2.2.6. Customer assistance service

2.2.6.1. Definition

Customer assistance service is a service that provides answers to inquiries, advice, guidance on using the service, accepts requests, and provides information to customers about IPTV services on the fixed terrestrial telecommunications network.

2.2.6.2. Indicator

The customer assistance service provided by human operators via telephone is available 24 hours a day;

  • The percentage of successful calls to the customer assistance service, connecting to an operator and receiving a response signal within 60 seconds ≥ 80 %.
  • 2.2.6.3. Determination method

- Simulation or calling method. Conduct simulations or calls to the customer assistance service. The minimum number of test calls is 250 calls at different times of the day.

- Monitoring method. Monitor all calls to the customer assistance service using equipment or built-in features of the network. The minimum sample size is all calls over a continuous 7-day period.

IPTV services on the fixed terrestrial telecommunications network within the scope defined in 1.1 must comply with the provisions of this Standard.

 

 

3. MANAGEMENT PROVISIONS

Enterprises providing IPTV services on the fixed terrestrial telecommunications network are responsible for ensuring that the quality of IPTV services complies with this Standard.

 

4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS

4.1. Enterprises providing IPTV services on the fixed terrestrial telecommunications network are responsible for implementing commitments, declaring compliance with the quality service standards set out in this Standard, and being subject to inspection by government management agencies in accordance with current regulations.

4.2. The Radio, Television, and Electronic Information Administration and Provincial Departments of Information and Communications are responsible for organizing guidance and implementing management of IPTV service quality on the fixed terrestrial telecommunications network in accordance with this Standard.

 

Chapter 5. ORGANIZATION OF IMPLEMENTATION

5.1.  This Standard replaces National Technical Regulation QCVN 84:2014/BTTTT "National Technical Regulation on the Quality of IPTV Services on Public Fixed Telecommunications Networks".

5.2. This standard replaces the National Technical Regulation QCVN 84:2014/BTTTT "National Technical Regulation on the Quality of IPTV Services on Public Fixed Telecommunication Networks".

5.3. In cases where the provisions set forth in this Standard are changed, supplemented, or replaced, they shall be implemented according to the new document.

5.4. During the implementation of the Standards, if any issues arise or difficulties occur, organizations and individuals shall report them in writing to the Ministry of Information and Communications (Science and Technology Department) for guidance and resolution./.

 

Bibliography

 

[1] TCVN 8689:2011 Fixed Public Telecommunication Network IPTV Service Requirements.

[2] ITU-T G.1080 (12/2008): "Quality of Experience Requirements for IPTV Services".

[3] SMPTE 421M (2006), Standard for Television: VC-1 Compressed Video Bitstream Format and Decoding Process.

 

 

 

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