Decision No. 15/2007/QĐ-BBCVT on approving the Master Plan for the Development of Information Technology and Telecommunications in the Northern Key Economic Region until 2010 and orientations until 2020

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the approval of the Plan for the Development of Information Technology and Telecommunications

in the Northern Key Economic Region until 2010 and orientations until 2020

đến năm 2010 và định hướng đến năm 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 preparation, approval, and management of overall plans for economic and social development;

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

At the proposal of the Director of the Planning and Finance Department.

DECISION:

Article 1. Approve the "Plan for the Development of Information Technology and Telecommunications in the Northern Key Economic Region until 2010 and orientations until 2020" with the main contents as follows:

I. VIEWS, OBJECTIVES, AND DEVELOPMENT ORIENTATIONS

1. Development Orientation

a) Develop telecommunications and information technology to serve the cause of industrialization and modernization of the country and contribute to making the Northern Key Economic Region become a major economic, financial, and commercial center of the country and Southeast Asia, a connecting area for effective economic cooperation and integration with countries in the region. Vigorously develop telecommunications and information technology in Hanoi as the core driving force for the entire Northern Key Economic Region and support for provinces in the northern region.

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

c) Prioritize the development of the information technology industry as a foundation to support the development of other industries. Directly adopt advanced technologies, leverage advantages in labor potential, and intensify international cooperation to exploit new capital and technologies. Foreign investment plays a leading role in developing the information technology industry, particularly the hardware industry.

d) Widespread application of information technology in economic, social, cultural, and security-defense fields, especially prioritizing the development of e-government and e-commerce. Utilize information technology to innovate management methods, operational procedures, and provide substantial assistance to local government management and operations, moving towards building "electronic cities." Gradually provide information through networks to serve citizens and businesses, enabling them to interact with state agencies more quickly, conveniently, economically, and efficiently.

2. Objectives and Development Orientations

a) Develop Telecommunications

- Objective by 2010

Build a modern telecommunications network infrastructure with large capacity and high speed, high reliability. Make Hanoi a high-quality telecommunications service center providing multiple services and operating effectively at an international level. Develop telecommunications to serve the socio-economic development, security, defense, and social order and safety effectively, and rescue operations at sea and areas frequently affected by typhoons and floods. Maintain a high growth rate compared to the national average; the regional growth rate reaches 20% to 30%. Popularize telephone and Internet services to villages by 2010. Narrow the gap in service usage between provinces and cities in the region. Ensure that 100% of communes have public telephone access points, 70% of communes have public Internet access points, and 100% of districts and most communes in the region are provided with broadband Internet services. By 2010, the regional telephone density will reach 65 to 70 units per 100 inhabitants (fixed-line telephones: 23 to 25 units and mobile phones: 42 to 45 units); the Internet usage rate among the population will be 35% to 40% (Telecommunications Development Targets for Provinces and Central Cities in the Northern Key Economic Region until 2010 in Appendix 1).

- Orientation by 2020

Build and develop advanced and modern information and communication infrastructure, operating effectively, safely, and reliably, with wide coverage. Develop next-generation networks (NGN) to provide multiple services on a unified infrastructure. Vigorously develop broadband access networks to ensure the development of applications such as e-government, e-commerce, distance education, remote healthcare, and other applications. Mobile telecommunications networks will develop towards third-generation (3G) and subsequent systems. Develop services consistent with the convergence trend of broadcasting, television, information technology, and telecommunications technologies, meeting the timely information exchange needs of the whole 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) Develop the Information Technology Industry

- Objective by 2010

Promote the development of the information technology industry in the Northern Key Economic Region to become a leading and main economic sector, sustainable, high-growth, stable, oriented towards exports, serving as a driving force for the rapid industrialization and modernization process of the region and neighboring areas. Focus on developing the information technology industry strongly in Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Bac Ninh cities. Gradually transform Hanoi into an information technology industry center in Southeast Asia. The information technology industry should achieve an average annual growth rate of 30% - 35%. By 2010, the total value of information technology industry production should reach 2 - 3 billion USD, accounting for about 8% of the total value of industrial production in the region.

- Orientation by 2020

Strive to make the information technology industry a main economic sector with high growth and sustainability by 2015. By 2020, the value of information technology industry production should account for approximately 20% of the total value of industrial production in the entire region. The Northern Key Economic Zone should become a center for electronic component manufacturing and software production in Southeast Asia. Hanoi should become a strong information technology industry center in Southeast Asia, particularly in the electronics manufacturing and software industries.

c) Develop information technology applications

- Objective by 2010

In state agencies, the system of command, management, and information exchange should be smooth and timely, serving 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 officials and civil servants to use email and exploit 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. The 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 services will be conducted online.

Strengthen the application of information technology in enterprises. On average, 60% of enterprises in Hanoi, Bac Ninh, and Hai Phong implement reporting, statistics, tax declarations, business registration, and licensing through the network; over 40% of enterprises declare, register, and handle customs procedures online. About 50% of large enterprises master online business skills and conduct electronic transactions, while 70% of medium and small enterprises recognize the benefits of e-commerce and apply it in their production and business operations.

- Orientation by 2020

By 2015, complete the construction of major infrastructure projects to connect the Northern Key Economic Zone with neighboring regions, especially the midland and mountainous northern region and the southern Red River region. Ensure the safety and security of information for all information technology and communication application and development activities. Widespread application of information technology and communication in all fields, effectively utilizing information and knowledge across all sectors. Build and develop Vietnam's digital society with electronic citizens, electronic government, electronic businesses, and electronic transactions.

II. CONTENT OF THE PLAN

1. Development of Telecommunications

Develop switching networks in the region, particularly in concentrated industrial zones, high-tech zones, technical service zones, industrial-service-port complexes in Ha Ha district (Quang Ninh province), integrated economic zones in Van Don island district (Quang Ninh province), satellite towns around major cities, training and science-technology centers, universities, research institutes in Hoa Lac, the Industrial City at Noi Bai, the chain of cities along Route 18, the area around Noi Bai airport, Cat Bi airport, and Van Don airport when constructed.

Develop transmission networks to anticipate the development of concentrated industrial zones, high-tech zones, technical service zones, airports, ports, new urban areas, tourist spots. Increase transmission capacity to meet the growing demand for broadband services. Facilitate the construction of submarine optical cables. Implement full optical fiberization of the region with advanced technology. Utilize advanced transmission technologies for inter-provincial and intra-provincial/intra-district transmission networks. Construct networks in ring structure to ensure information security. Prioritize routes: Vinh Phuc - Hanoi - Hung Yen - Hai Duong - Hai Phong; along the Hanoi - Hai Phong expressway; along the Noi Bai - Halong - Mong Cai expressway; along the Lang - Hoa Lac - Trung Ha expressway; along the Caige - Ninh Binh expressway; along the Hanoi - Viet Tri expressway; along the Hanoi - Thai Nguyen expressway. Exploit and use the VINASAT satellite to ensure communication to remote areas and islands. Modernize and improve the quality of peripheral networks. By 2010, complete undergrounding of intra-city/district networks in cities and towns.

Develop mobile information services towards increasing capacity, improving coverage quality, meeting subscriber development needs, expanding coverage to all communes along national highways, provincial roads, and district roads. Vigorously develop broadband Internet service provision. Promote the widespread availability of Internet to all villages in the region, bringing broadband Internet to postal and cultural commune centers.

Develop and modernize coastal information systems. Vigorously deploy public mobile network coverage on the sea. Improve the speed and quality of transmission lines in the coastal information station system in the region. Build specialized information networks to serve maritime management and control operations.

Promote the development of 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. Develop the information technology industry

Gradually develop the Northern region's high-tech zone to become a hardware industry center in Southeast Asia. Develop the hardware industry in Hanoi, Bac Ninh, and Hai Phong with their leading roles in the region. Attract investment to develop hardware industries in industrial parks within the region. The main hardware products of the region include computers, household electronic devices, telecommunication electronics, office electronics, components, accessories, and electronic materials. Focus on developing the production of high-tech products with high knowledge content and low labor requirements (such as semiconductor material production and various types of electronic chips) in Hanoi city, Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, and Bac Ninh. Promote the development of auxiliary product manufacturing enterprises in Quet Vo Industrial Park (Bac Ninh), Thang Long and Noi Bai Industrial Parks (Hanoi), forming a chain of enterprises producing and supplying components for large electronics companies in the region. Accelerate the implementation of Hoa Lac High-Tech Park.

Focus on developing the Northern region's high-tech zone, with Hanoi city at its core, to become a strong center for software production, digital information products, and information technology services in Southeast Asia. Develop the software industry in Hanoi, Bac Ninh (Information Technology Industrial Park), Ha Tay (Hoa Lac High-Tech Park). Develop software enterprises, digital information content products, and information technology services to meet the needs of e-government and information technology applications in the region and other parts of the country. Establish connections between software industrial parks, high-tech parks, and enterprises with research institutes and universities in the region to contribute positively to the restructuring of products towards higher knowledge content. Strengthen the training of high-level information technology human resources to meet the development needs of the information technology industry, software industry, and content industry. Study the establishment of a high-level information technology human resource training center for the region and a center for training and upgrading senior management personnel in the field of information technology.

3. Develop the application of information technology

a) Application of information technology in state administration

Develop the technical infrastructure of information technology, effectively implement government projects and provincial projects on the application of information technology. Pay special attention to the construction of a dedicated network for the government. Continue to build information management and control systems at provincial levels. Upgrade and expand information systems at specialized agencies in provinces to districts and counties. Gradually deploy information technology applications to communal agencies. Focus on implementing 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, economic and social development in the region based on the national information architecture and integrated with databases of ministries, sectors, and localities;

+ Build and complete financial, banking, and customs information systems;

+ Apply information technology in managing cadres and civil servants, household registration, population statistics, and other administrative public services;

+ Vigorously apply information technology in the activities of state agencies in Hanoi city.

Implement online public administrative services in provinces and cities where sufficient resources and internet user density exist. Focus on implementing the following key contents: receiving and processing complaints and petitions 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 procedures through the network; vehicle registration through the network; online procurement of public assets.

b) Application of information technology in production and business

Encourage and support enterprises in applying information technology to enhance their ability to use it. Vigorously promote the dissemination and promotion of information technology and e-commerce. Ensure favorable conditions for the development of e-commerce and encourage various forms of online transactions. Vigorously apply information technology in the management of museum, library, and cultural center systems from central to local levels. Organize the collection and exchange of information through networks and the Ministry of Culture and Information's website to contribute to promoting the economic, cultural, and tourism development of the Northern region's high-tech zone.

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 learning through the network. Increase computer and network equipment for schools. Gradually introduce computer science courses into the regular curriculum at all levels of general education. Vigorously apply information technology in educational management, gradually building an educational management information system. Develop and popularize electronic management systems in hospitals in the region. Gradually establish health information and knowledge systems and health care advisory services. Implement cooperative remote medical treatment and health care programs among hospitals in the province and between provincial hospitals in the region and central hospitals.

d) Applying information technology to serve rural development

Establishing programs to enhance awareness and disseminate knowledge about information technology for the people. Gradually applying information technology to provide scientific and technological information serving economic and social development in rural areas. Promoting the use of geographic information systems (GIS) to serve planning for agriculture and forestry, forest management, and land management. Vigorously implementing programs to popularize computer literacy and connect young people in rural areas to knowledge networks, gradually bringing information technology into the lives of farmers and narrowing the gap between rural and urban areas.

III. MAJOR SOLUTIONS

1. Regarding mechanisms and policies

a) Mechanisms and policies on telecommunications development

- Inter-ministerial coordination

Issuing inter-ministerial regulations on coordinating planning and implementation of building a synchronized infrastructure network. All transportation construction projects must notify all licensed telecommunication service providers. Telecommunication enterprises base on their needs and capabilities, prepare network construction projects and submit them to the construction project investors six months before construction starts, clearly defining the construction cooperation schedule, land requirements, and related solutions concerning transportation works. The electricity sector informs telecommunication enterprises of plans to build power transmission lines and optical cable systems along power lines. Telecommunication enterprises proactively negotiate with the electricity sector on a mutually beneficial mechanism for joint investment and utilization of optical cables on power lines.

- Coordination among sectors and localities

When localities review and develop comprehensive plans for economic and social development, they must clearly define the part of the plan for developing postal and telecommunications networks, closely integrated within the overall development plan. Provinces and cities inform telecommunication enterprises of plans to build new urban areas. Telecommunication enterprises prepare network construction projects and submit them to localities six months before construction starts, clearly defining the construction cooperation schedule and related solutions concerning transportation works. Provinces create favorable conditions for enterprises with projects to build communication lines and auxiliary facilities to industrial zones. Building networks and service points in industrial zones and tourist areas are given preferential treatment regarding land rental and service provision rights. Telecommunication enterprises providing intra-zone services should take full advantage of conditions to underground network infrastructure according to urban development and traffic improvement plans. In cases where multiple enterprises have the need to construct peripheral cables, they are required to share the infrastructure.

- Reselling services and shared use of telecommunications infrastructure

Encouraging all economic components to participate in service provision through agency models and access points. Encouraging and not limiting telecommunication enterprises to resell services within industrial zones, export processing zones, and high-tech parks based on leasing domestic and international long-distance channels. Encouraging enterprises to actively develop plans for shared use of infrastructure when their investment projects and network development plans are approved. Gradually implementing a mechanism to separate intra-zone loops. Studying the establishment of a company model for infrastructure service providers under a joint-stock company structure.

- Reforming organizational management of production and business operations and activities of enterprises

Implementing policies to encourage enterprises to invest in infrastructure, expand networks, and services to rural areas, remote regions, and difficult areas. Using the Universal Service Fund effectively and practically for particularly difficult areas. Developing special mechanisms and policies for the KTTĐ region: bidding mechanisms, equipment procurement policies for infrastructure development, pricing policies for service fees and interconnection fees between operators in the region, investment incentives for infrastructure development; gradually eliminating fixed-line inter-provincial call tariffs and applying appropriate service tariffs throughout the region.

- Ensuring information security and safety

Establishing and perfecting regulations on ensuring information security and safety on telecommunication and Internet networks, enhancing the capacity of the system for responding to and resolving computer incidents and preventing cybercrime. Applying cryptographic technologies and technical solutions to increase reliability and security for transactions on telecommunication and Internet networks.

b) Mechanisms and policies on the development of the information technology industry

Encouraging and creating a transparent and favorable investment environment for foreign investors, especially multinational corporations to invest in developing the information technology industry. Strengthening collaboration between industrial zones, high-tech parks, and enterprises with research institutes and universities in the region.

c) Mechanisms and policies on the development of information technology applications

Encouraging all economic components to invest in developing information technology applications, expanding successful application models. Supporting and encouraging enterprises to implement enterprise resource management software systems. Publicly tendering information technology projects and procurement by state agencies. Promptly issuing standards for information technology.

d) Mechanisms and policies on human resource development

Studying and establishing mechanisms and policies to encourage all economic components to invest in developing information technology human resources, outsourcing policies for information technology application projects, policies to attract highly skilled Vietnamese IT professionals working abroad, and incentive policies for excellent management, economic, and technical experts.

2. Regarding capital mobilization

Enhance the attraction of investment capital for the development of telecommunications and information technology in the North Central Coast Economic Zone. Mobilize and utilize domestic capital efficiently for the development of telecommunications. Focus on mobilizing capital through the shareholding of enterprises and the sale of services. Utilize Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds to support the development of telecommunications in rural, mountainous, remote, and far-flung areas, and to develop public utility services. Use the Telecommunications Public Service Fund effectively. Develop and implement programs to call for investment from leading global information technology enterprises. Provide preferential policies for projects with high intellectual content that utilize and exploit high-quality human resources at localities and those with plans to transfer technology to Vietnam. Pay attention to 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, especially projects related to e-government. Balance budgets to ensure the implementation of key projects and the construction of infrastructure for the application of information technology. (List of key projects for developing telecommunications and information technology in the North Central Coast 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. Reallocate the workforce in the information technology industry within the region towards gradually transferring production facilities for low-value-added products that require a large number of workers to industrial zones in provinces with lower land and labor costs. Promote awareness, understanding, and the ability to apply information technology among cadres, civil servants, employees, citizens, and businesses. Promote socialization in education, attracting investment for training in information technology. Increase the training of information management officials in state agencies. Intensify computer teaching and learning in secondary 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 enterprises in implementing research projects on telecommunications and information technology, creating conditions to support enterprises in researching and developing 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. Encourage foreign high-tech investment in the development of telecommunications to improve service quality and reduce costs, contributing to accelerating the popularization of telephones and the Internet in Vietnam.

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 to direct enterprises to develop synchronized telecommunications network infrastructure in line with other sector planning, particularly transportation, urban, industrial zone, and water supply and drainage planning; coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to build and propose policies to promote the development of telecommunications network infrastructure, the development of the information technology industry, and encourage and intensify the application of information technology in the North Central Coast Economic Zone; organize inspections of planning implementation and periodically compile results for reporting.

2. Provincial People's Committees in the North Central Coast Economic Zone shall develop (or adjust and 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 sectors shall base their business strategies and plans on this planning to align with the development orientation of telecommunications and information technology in the North Central Coast Economic Zone and be consistent with the implementation progress of local and other sector 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 agencies under the Government, Chairmen of provincial and municipal People's Committees, and related units are responsible for implementing this Decision./.