Decision No. 13/2007/QĐ-BBCVT on approving the planning for the development of information technology and telecommunications in the Central Key Economic Region until 2010 and orientations until 2020.

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the approval of the planning for the development of information technology and communication in the central key economic region until

2010 and orientation until 2020

year 2010 and oriented towards the year 2020

_________________ 

THE MINISTER OF POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

On the basis of the Ordinance on Post and Telecommunications dated May 25, 2002;

Pursuant to the Law on Information Technology dated June 29, 2006;

On the basis of Decree No. 90/2002/NĐ-CP dated November 11, 2002 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications;

On the basis of Decree No. 92/2006/NĐ-CP dated September 7, 2006 of the Government on the establishment, approval, and management of overall planning for socio-economic development;

Implementing the authorization of the Prime Minister at Document No. 116/TB-VPCP dated May 22, 2007 of the Office of the Government regarding the approval of the Planning for the Development of Information Technology and Communication in the three key economic regions of the North, Central, and South;

the Director upon the proposal of the Director of the Department of Planning and Finance,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approves the "Planning for the Development of Information Technology and Communication in the Central Key Economic Region until 2010 and Orientation until 2020" with the main contents as follows:

I. VIEWS, OBJECTIVES, AND DEVELOPMENT ORIENTATION

1. Development Orientation

a) Developing telecommunication and information technology to serve the cause of industrialization and modernization of the country, contributing to gradually becoming a driving force for the development of the Central Key Economic Region (CKER) into a dynamic economic region of the whole country, ensuring its role as a growth core and promoting the development of the Central and Western Highlands region. Vigorously developing telecommunication and information technology in Da Nang City as a nucleus for spreading and developing throughout the entire CKER and as a driving force and support for the provinces in the Central region.

b) Telecommunication is an important economic, technical, and service industry within the infrastructure, developed ahead of other sectors and comprehensively in terms of network, technology, and services, ensuring network safety, inter-regional and national connectivity, serving well the activities of economic zones, industrial parks, and the entire society, contributing to quickly transforming the economic structure towards modernization and sustainable development, creating a driving force for economic and social development throughout the region, improving the quality of life for the people, effectively and promptly serving security and defense work in all situations.

c) Developing the information technology industry into a leading industry of the CKER. Directly adopting advanced technology, intensifying international cooperation to exploit new capital and technology. Foreign investment plays a top priority role in the development of the information technology industry, especially hardware manufacturing. Developing software and content industries is a key priority.

d) Widely applying information technology in economic, social, cultural, and security-defense fields, particularly prioritizing the development of e-government and e-commerce. Applying information technology to innovate organizational structures, management methods, operational procedures, and providing substantial assistance to local government management and operation activities, moving towards building "electronic cities." Gradually providing information through networks to serve citizens and businesses, attracting investment, enabling citizens and businesses to interact with state agencies more quickly, conveniently, economically, and efficiently.

2. Objectives and Development Orientation

a) Developing Telecommunications

- Objective by 2010

Building a modern telecommunications network infrastructure with large capacity and high speed, reliability. Developing telecommunications to timely and effectively serve economic and social development, security, defense, and social order, serving rescue operations at sea and areas frequently affected by typhoons and floods; developing telecommunications services to support marine economic development, distant-sea fishing, maritime management, and international search and rescue operations; making Da Nang City a high-quality telecommunications service center, providing multi-service and operating effectively for the Central region and the whole country.

Maintaining a higher growth rate than the national average, reaching 20-30%. Expanding mobile information coverage in rural areas, narrowing the service usage gap between provinces and cities in the region. Promoting the popularization of telephone and Internet services in rural, remote, and border areas, especially border communes. By 2010, achieving 100% of communes with public telephone access points; 50% of communes with public Internet access points; 100% of districts and most communes in the region provided with broadband Internet services; the regional telephone density reaching 40-45 units per 100 inhabitants (fixed-line telephones: 16-18 units and mobile telephones: 24-27 units); the Internet usage rate among the population being 28%-32% (Telecommunications Development Targets for Provinces and Central Cities in the CKER until 2010 in Appendix 1).

- Orientation by 2020

Building and developing advanced and modern information and communication infrastructure, operating effectively, safely, and reliably, with wide coverage. Vigorously developing next-generation networks (NGN) to provide multiple services on a unified infrastructure. Accelerating the development of broadband access networks to ensure the development of applications such as e-government, e-commerce, distance education, telemedicine, and other applications. Mobile telecommunications networks will develop towards third-generation (3G) and subsequent systems. Developing services that align with the convergence trend of broadcasting, television, information technology, and telecommunications, meeting the timely information exchange needs of the entire society. By 2020, the level of use of telecommunications services will reach that of developed countries. The usage rate of telecommunications services in rural areas will be equal to urban areas.

b) Developing the Information Technology Industry

- Objective by 2010

Step by step, build and develop the information technology industry into a leading industry in the Central Economic Zone with a focus on export, training cooperation, technology transfer, and product processing for foreign companies. The information technology industry aims to achieve an average growth rate of 32% - 33% per year. By 2010, the total value of industrial production in the information technology industry is expected to reach approximately 400 - 500 million USD, accounting for about 0.5% - 1% of the total value of industrial production in the region.

- Orientation by 2020

Strive to make the information technology industry a key economic sector in the region by 2015, characterized by high growth rates, sustainable and stable development, and oriented towards exports while serving as a driving force for the rapid industrialization and modernization process of the region and neighboring areas. By 2020, the value of industrial production in the information technology industry should account for about 10% of the total value of industrial production in the entire region. Develop the Central Economic Zone into a center for software production and industrial electronics, telecommunications electronics, and household electronics.

c) Promote the application of information technology

- Objective by 2010: Establish a smooth and timely command, control, and information exchange system within state agencies as a useful tool for administrative reform. Computerize business activities in state agencies. Build and effectively utilize information infrastructure and electronic websites to facilitate information exchange, provision, and sharing among agencies and organizations, individuals. Strive for 100% of civil servants and public officials to use email and access information in their work.

Form and promote the development of electronic transactions and e-commerce along with the operation of organizations providing digital signature certification services. Electronic websites of provinces and cities must provide and update comprehensive information on policies, laws, administrative procedures, working processes, investment projects, bidding, and public procurement, online activities of agencies, and investment attraction information through the network. Citizens and businesses can quickly and easily access and use this information. Some declaration, registration, and licensing procedures will be conducted online.

Enhance the application of information technology in enterprises. On average, 50% of large enterprises in provinces and cities will report, statistics, declare taxes, register, and obtain licenses online. Over 50% of enterprises will declare, register, and handle customs procedures online. Approximately 60% of large enterprises will master online business skills and conduct electronic transactions, while 70% of medium and small enterprises will recognize the benefits of e-commerce and apply it in their production and business activities.

- Orientation by 2020

Before 2020, complete the construction of major information infrastructure projects to connect the Central Economic Zone with neighboring regions, especially the Northern Central Coast, South Central Coast, Highlands, East-West Corridor of the expanded Mekong Subregion, and the border triangle area of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Ensure information security for all applications and development of information technology and communication. Widespread application of information technology and communication in all fields, effectively utilizing information and knowledge across all industries. Develop and build Vietnam's digital society with digital citizens, digital government, digital enterprises, and electronic transactions.

II. CONTENT OF THE PLAN

1. Development of Telecommunications

Develop switching networks in the region, particularly in major cities, new urban areas, economic zones, concentrated industrial zones, high-tech zones, technical service zones.

Develop north-south trunk transmission networks passing through the Central Region to ensure network safety, inter-regional connectivity, and nationwide connectivity to guarantee communication in all situations. Facilitate the construction of submarine optical cables.

Develop transmission networks to anticipate the development of concentrated industrial zones, high-tech zones, technical service zones, airports, ports, new urban areas, and tourist spots. For border areas, ensure information security and uninterrupted communication coverage to all communes and border guard posts. Implement optical fiberization throughout the region using advanced technology. Utilize advanced transmission technologies for provincial and intra-provincial transmission networks. Construct networks with ring structures to ensure information security. Prioritize routes such as Highway 49: Hue - A Luoi; Highways 14B-14D: Da Nang Port - Vietnam-Laos Border; Highway 14E from Thang Binh to Khanh Duc; Quang Ngai - Kon Tum. Utilize satellites to ensure communication in remote areas and islands. Develop peripheral networks focusing on improving quality and modernization. By 2010, complete undergrounding of intra-city networks in cities and towns. Gradually construct optical access networks, particularly in economic zones, concentrated industrial zones, and high-tech zones.

Develop mobile information services to expand coverage to all communes along national highways, provincial roads, and district roads, enhancing signal coverage quality. Vigorously develop broadband internet service provision. Accelerate the popularization of the Internet in villages, focusing on developing Internet access in schools, bringing broadband Internet to village post offices.

Develop coastal information systems by strengthening coordination with public telecommunications networks. Supplement and modernize coastal radio stations. Vigorously implement ground-based public mobile network coverage at sea. Construct specialized information networks to serve maritime management and operations. 

Promote a fair and healthy competitive market. Create conditions for telecommunications and Internet enterprises to cooperate and develop. Create conditions for economic sectors to participate in investment and business operations providing telecommunications and Internet services, especially in the resale service sector and value-added services.

2. Development of the information technology industry

Create a transparent and favorable investment environment for investors, particularly multinational corporations investing in hardware manufacturing industries within industrial zones in the region, including Chu Lai (Quang Nam), Dung Quat (Quang Ngai), Nhon Hoi (Binh Dinh), Chan May-Lang Co (Thua Thien Hue) Economic Zones. Develop Da Nang City into an information technology industry center in the region. The main hardware products of the region include computers, telecommunication electronic equipment, household electronics, industrial electronics, electronic components, and accessories. Gradually master modern technology, transitioning from assembly to production of electronic and telecommunication equipment serving heavy industries in the region such as shipbuilding, oil refining, and other industries. Develop supporting industries, produce electronic components and materials to replace imports, and participate in exports on an increasingly larger scale.

Implement the operation of software industrial parks in Da Nang and Thua Thien Hue effectively; establish a software industry center in Quang Nam Province within the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone, and a software industry center in Binh Dinh Province within the high-tech zone in the Nhon Hoi Economic Zone. Develop two to three strong enterprises operating in software production, digital content, and information technology services. Support the formation of enterprises providing digital content products serving the development of other economic sectors, particularly tourism. Focus on developing local human resources, with Da Nang, Hue, and Qui Nhon cities being multi-level training centers (technical workers, secondary vocational education, college, university, and postgraduate) meeting regional and international standards to meet the development needs of the information technology industry, particularly the software industry and digital content.

3. Development of Information Technology Applications

a) Application of Information Technology in State Management

Develop technical infrastructure for information technology, focusing on government-specific network construction projects. Continue building management and control information systems at provincial levels; upgrade and expand specialized agency information systems to districts and counties. Gradually implement information technology applications to communal agencies. Concentrate on directing the implementation of the following key contents:

+ Complete the construction of the information system for guidance, management, and control from the Government to provincial People's Committees in the region;

+ Build regional information systems and databases, particularly population, enterprise, environmental resource, and statistical databases serving state management and socio-economic development in the region based on national information architecture and integration with databases of ministries, sectors, and localities;

+ Construct and perfect financial, banking, and customs information systems;

+ Apply information technology in personnel management, civil servant management, household registration, population statistics, and other administrative services;

+ Vigorously apply information technology in the activities of state agencies in Da Nang City and extend it to other provinces in the region.

Implement online administrative service provision in provinces and cities where sufficient resources and internet user density exist. Focus on directing the implementation of the following key contents: receiving and processing complaints through the network; online business registration; land use permission and construction permit issuance through the network; tax declaration and initial tax collection through the network; customs declaration, registration, and permit issuance through the network; vehicle registration through the network; public procurement of state assets through the network.

b) Application of Information Technology in Production and Business

Encourage and support enterprises in applying information technology. Vigorously promote the dissemination and promotion of information technology and e-commerce to organizations, people, and businesses. Ensure favorable conditions for the development of e-commerce and encourage various forms of online transactions.

c) Application of Information Technology in Education, Training, and Healthcare

Actively innovate teaching and learning methods based on the application of information technology. Vigorously promote distance education through the network. Strengthen computer and network equipment for schools. Gradually introduce computer science courses into the regular curriculum at all educational levels. Vigorously apply information technology to education management, gradually establishing an education management information system. Develop and popularize electronic management systems in hospitals in the region. Gradually build health information and knowledge systems, and health care advisory systems. Implement remote medical treatment and health care programs between hospitals in the province and between provincial hospitals in the region and central hospitals.

d) Application of Information Technology to Serve Rural Development

Establish a program to enhance awareness and disseminate knowledge about information technology among the people. Gradually apply information technology to provide scientific and technological information serving rural socio-economic development. Vigorously use geographic information systems (GIS) to serve agricultural and forestry planning, forest management, and land management. Vigorously implement the popularization of computer skills and knowledge networking for rural youth to gradually bring information technology into the lives of farmers, narrowing the gap between rural and urban areas.

III. MAJOR SOLUTIONS

1. Regarding Mechanism and Policy

a) Mechanism and Policy for Telecommunications Development

- Inter-ministerial coordination

Issuing inter-ministerial regulations on the coordination in planning and implementing the construction of a synchronized infrastructure network. All transportation projects must notify all telecommunications licensees. Telecommunications enterprises shall base their needs and capabilities to prepare infrastructure network construction projects to be submitted to the construction project investors six months before commencement, clearly defining the coordinated construction schedule, land requirements, and related solutions concerning transportation works. The electricity sector shall inform telecommunications enterprises of plans for building power transmission lines and optical cable systems on power lines. Telecommunications enterprises shall proactively negotiate with the electricity sector regarding joint investment and utilization mechanisms for optical cables on power lines.

- Coordination between sectors and localities

When localities review and develop comprehensive socio-economic development master plans, they must clearly define the portion dedicated to the development of the telecommunications network infrastructure, closely integrated within the overall development plan. Provinces and cities shall notify telecommunications enterprises of plans for constructing urban areas. Telecommunications enterprises shall submit infrastructure network construction projects to localities six months before commencement, clearly defining the coordinated construction schedule for various components and related solutions concerning transportation works. Provinces shall facilitate telecommunications enterprises' projects for building information lines and auxiliary facilities to industrial zones. Building networks and service points in industrial zones and tourist areas shall enjoy preferential land rental terms and service provision rights. Telecommunications enterprises providing intra-city services shall take full advantage of conditions to underground network infrastructure according to urban development plans and traffic renovation plans. In cases where multiple enterprises have the need to construct peripheral cables, they are required to share the same infrastructure.

- Reselling services and shared use of telecommunications infrastructure

Encouraging all economic sectors to participate in service provision through agency and access point models. Encouraging and not limiting telecommunications enterprises from participating in reselling services within industrial zones, export processing zones, and high-tech parks based on leasing domestic and international long-distance channels. Encouraging enterprises to proactively develop plans for shared use of infrastructure when their investment projects and network development plans are approved. Shared infrastructure usage methods encouraged include joint investment in switching systems, power supplies, transmission equipment, and capacity sharing according to investment ratios, leasing cables, fiber cores, antenna towers, conduits, reservoirs, cable pipes, long-term leasing, and licensing the use of telecommunications systems. Gradually implementing a loop disconnection mechanism for intra-city circuits. Studying the establishment of infrastructure network service companies under a joint-stock company model.

- Reforming management organization and business operations of enterprises

Implementing policies to encourage enterprises to invest in infrastructure, expand networks, and services to rural areas, remote regions, difficult areas, and coastal information development projects. Using the Public Telecommunications Service Fund effectively for particularly difficult regions. Establishing special mechanisms and policies for the Central Coast Economic Zone: bidding mechanisms, procurement of equipment for network infrastructure development, pricing policies for service tariffs, inter-operator service connection fees, and investment incentives for infrastructure development; gradually eliminating inter-provincial fixed-line telephone tariff mechanisms, applying appropriate service tariffs throughout the region.

- Ensuring information security and safety Establishing and perfecting regulations on ensuring information security and safety on telecommunications and Internet networks.

Building, perfecting, and enhancing the capability of computer incident response and crime prevention systems. Applying cryptographic technologies and technical solutions to increase reliability and security for transactions on telecommunications and Internet networks.

b) Mechanisms and policies for developing the information technology industry

Creating a transparent and favorable investment environment for foreign investors, especially multinational corporations investing in the development of the information technology industry in industrial zones within the region. Linking industrial zones, high-tech parks, and enterprises with research institutes and universities in the Central Coast Economic Zone to contribute positively to the restructuring of products towards higher knowledge content.

c) Mechanisms and policies for developing information technology applications

Encouraging all economic sectors to invest in developing information technology applications, promoting the widespread adoption of successful application models. Publicly tendering information technology projects and procurement by state agencies. Promptly issuing standards for information technology.

d) Mechanisms and policies for developing human resources

Studying and establishing mechanisms and policies to encourage all economic sectors to invest in developing information technology human resources, outsourcing policies for provincial and city-level information technology application projects, policies to attract high-quality Vietnamese IT human resources working abroad; incentive policies for excellent management, economic, and technical experts, policies to maximize the contribution of local IT professionals with specialized expertise; policies to attract labor forces who are locals studying, researching, or working at schools, research institutes, and production bases in the North and South to work for their locality.

2. On capital mobilization

Enhance the attraction of investment capital for the development of telecommunications and information technology in the Central Key Economic Zone (KKT). Mobilize and utilize domestic capital efficiently for the development of telecommunications. Focus on mobilizing capital through the privatization of enterprises and the sale of services. Utilize Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds to support the development of telecommunications in rural areas, mountainous regions, remote areas, and to develop public utility services. Use the Telecommunications Public Service Fund effectively. Develop and implement programs to attract investment from leading global information technology companies. Provide preferential policies for projects with high intellectual content that utilize and exploit high-quality human resources at local levels and those with plans to transfer technology to Vietnam. Emphasize attracting overseas Vietnamese investment for the development of the software industry. Concentrate state capital on key information technology industrial projects with high technological content and added value. Mobilize various sources of capital for the application of information technology, particularly projects related to e-government. Balance budgets to ensure the implementation of key projects and the construction of infrastructure for information technology applications. (List of key projects for developing telecommunications and information technology in the Central Key Economic Zone is attached as Appendix 2).

3. On Human Resource Development

Strengthen the training of high-quality human resources to serve the development of telecommunications and information technology. Promote awareness, understanding, and the ability to apply information technology among officials, civil servants, employees, citizens, and businesses. Promote socialized education and attract investment capital for information technology training. Increase the training of information management leaders in state agencies. Intensify computer teaching and learning in secondary schools and junior high schools.

4. On Scientific and Technological Development

Accelerate the socialization of scientific and technological activities. Improve the effectiveness of scientific and technological organizations' operations, linking scientific and technological development with business efficiency based on self-management and responsibility. Utilize venture capital funds effectively in the field of science and technology to finance business ideas, develop new products, promising production projects with risks, and research and development projects in the fields of telecommunications and information technology. Establish mechanisms for cooperation between universities, research units, and businesses in implementing research projects on telecommunications and information technology to facilitate business research and development of new products. Encourage forms of scientific and technological cooperation with foreign organizations and companies in transferring advanced management and production technologies in the fields of telecommunications and information technology.

Article 2. Implementation

1. The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications is the main coordinating agency, working with relevant ministries, sectors, and provincial People's Committees in guiding enterprises to develop telecommunications network infrastructure in sync with other industries' planning, especially transportation, urban development, industrial zones, water supply and drainage; coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to build and propose policies to promote telecommunications network infrastructure development, information technology industry development, and encourage and intensify the application of information technology in the Central Key Economic Zone; organize inspections of planning implementation and periodically compile results for reporting. The Prime Minister.

2. Provincial People's Committees within the Central Key Economic Zone shall develop (or adjust, supplement) telecommunications and information technology development plans in their respective provinces in accordance with this planning orientation; incorporate the implementation of this plan into annual and five-year plans.

3. Enterprises operating in the telecommunications and information technology sector shall base their strategic and business plans on this planning to align with the development orientation of telecommunications and information technology in the Central Key Economic Zone and be consistent with the implementation progress of local and other sectoral plans.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 4. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairpersons of provincial People's Committees under the central government, and related entities are responsible for implementing this Decision./.