Decision No. 22/2009/QD-TTg Approves the Broadcasting and Transmission Master Plan for Radio and Television until 2020

 

Pursuant to …;

APPROVING THE PLAN FOR TRANSMISSION AND BROADCASTING OF RADIO AND TELEVISION UNTIL 2020

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;
Pursuant to the Ordinance on Posts and Telecommunications dated May 25, 2002;
Pursuant to Decree No. 160/2004/NĐ-CP dated September 3, 2004 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Ordinance on Posts and Telecommunications;
BASED ON THE GOVERNMENT DECREE NO. 187/2007/NĐ-CP OF DECEMBER 25, 2007 ON THE FUNCTIONS, TASKS, POWERS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS;
Pursuant to Decision No. 219/2005/QĐ-TTg dated September 9, 2005 of the Prime Minister approving the Strategy for Information Development until 2010;
Considering the proposal of the Minister of Information and Communications,

DECISION:

I. OBJECTIVES

1. Expanding the coverage area for radio and television broadcasting both domestically and internationally, particularly programs of the Voice of Vietnam and Vietnam Television, to serve political tasks, foreign relations, national defense, and security (hereinafter referred to collectively as political tasks), and ensuring the provision of diverse, rich, high-quality radio and television services suitable to the needs and income levels of the majority of people in the country and overseas Vietnamese communities.

2. Developing synchronized, modern, efficient, unified standard and technology transmission and broadcasting infrastructure capable of carrying radio, television, telecommunications, and information technology services on the same technical infrastructure, meeting the requirements of technological convergence and service integration.

3. Promoting the transition from analog to digital transmission and broadcasting infrastructure to improve service quality, increase the number of channels, diversify service types, and enhance the efficiency of frequency resource utilization.

4. Gradually forming and developing the transmission and broadcasting market based on the participation of state-owned enterprises or joint-stock companies with state-controlled shares to attract resources for the development of radio and television technical infrastructure, serving economic and social development, and ensuring unified and effective state management.

II. DEVELOPMENT TARGETS

1. By 2010:

a) Coverage of terrestrial television to 95% of the population;

b) Coverage of AM-FM radio to 100% of the population, ensuring that most households can receive and listen to promotional radio channels.

2. By 2015:

a) Coverage of terrestrial television to 100% of the population, ensuring that most households can receive and watch promotional television programs;

b) Cable television networks deployed in 100% of central cities and provinces.

3. By 2020:

a) Gradually implementing the roadmap for digitizing terrestrial television transmission and broadcasting networks in accordance with actual conditions regarding the reception equipment of residents in specific areas. In principle, analog terrestrial television broadcasting will be stopped when 95% of households have digital television receivers capable of receiving promotional television channels through different digital transmission methods;

b) Ceasing the use of analog cable television technology before 2020 and transitioning entirely to digital technology with 100% of cable networks along major streets and roads in central cities and provinces being buried underground;

c) Digital technology widely applied in radio transmission and broadcasting;

d) Most households in remote, mountainous, and island regions with demand provided with digital radio and television reception equipment at affordable prices.

III. DIRECTION FOR DEVELOPMENT

I. NETWORK

a) Terrestrial radio and television transmission and broadcasting network.

Implementing the roadmap for digitizing terrestrial radio and television transmission and broadcasting in stages:

- From now until 2010:

Completing the development of analog terrestrial transmission and broadcasting networks according to approved plans. Additionally, adjusting power for existing transmitters or adding new transmitters with appropriate power to achieve the coverage goals while not causing interference to other wireless communication systems;

Implementing policies, measures, and roadmaps for transitioning to digital radio and television; gradually investing in digital transmission and broadcasting systems in regions based on the principle: regions with higher development levels and scarce frequencies will be developed and transitioned first, while regions with more difficult economic conditions will be developed and transitioned later;

Radio and television stations, units, and businesses involved in transmission and broadcasting activities should jointly utilize shared infrastructure including buildings, stations, power sources, cable pits, especially antennas, to ensure effective and convenient radio and television coverage for residents to receive and view channels;

Encouraging local radio and television stations to use the digital transmission and broadcasting networks established by units and businesses in their areas to transmit local content and programs to users.

- 2010-2015 period:

Units and businesses licensed to establish digital radio and television transmission and broadcasting networks continue to expand digital radio and television coverage in urban, delta, and densely populated areas, while intensifying investment to extend digital coverage to rural and mountainous areas;

Units and businesses permitted to set up networks and provide digital radio and television transmission and broadcasting services, as well as local radio and television stations, continue to broadcast both digital and analog channels simultaneously. Localities meeting the required conditions are encouraged to stop analog broadcasting and fully transition to digital radio and television broadcasting on the infrastructure of licensed units and businesses.

For remote areas, mountainous regions, islands, and places facing difficulties in building and developing terrestrial digital radio and television networks, it is necessary to implement plans using satellite broadcasting combined with suitable power rebroadcasting equipment to ensure coverage goals.

- Phase 2015 - 2020:

Units and enterprises permitted to establish transmission network infrastructure for digital radio and television broadcasting shall invest and construct terrestrial digital transmission and broadcasting systems in rural, remote, mountainous, and island areas;

Gradually cease analog terrestrial radio and television broadcasting in areas that have met the conditions for transitioning to digital technology. In other areas, continue analog broadcasting alongside digital broadcasting;

Local radio and television stations shall cooperate with units and enterprises permitted to establish networks and provide digital radio and television transmission services to gradually transfer all radio and television channels to digital transmission infrastructure;

Implement projects to produce and supply low-cost digital television receivers for households. Limit and eventually stop importing and investing in new production of analog transmitters;

Basically terminate terrestrial analog television broadcasting before 2020. Encourage the complete transition from analog to digital radio and television transmission technology before 2020.

- Band planning for terrestrial radio and television broadcasting systems:

+ MF band (526.25 - 1606.5 kHz): AM radio, digital radio;

+ IV VHF band (54 - 68 MHz): small-power FM radio, digital radio;

+ II VHF band (87 - 108 MHz): FM radio, digital radio;

+ III VHF band (174 - 230 MHz): analog television, digital television, and digital radio;

+ UHF band (470 - 806 MHz): analog and digital terrestrial television. According to the digitalization roadmap, part of this frequency band will be converted for other wireless information services;

+ L band (1452 - 1492 MHz): Based on actual conditions, this band may be studied for allocation to digital radio technology;

b) Transmission network for cable radio and television.

- For wired cable radio and television:

The cable radio and television network shall be developed towards increasing the use of optical fiber cables and improving underground cable ratios to ensure service quality and urban aesthetics, particularly along major streets and roads in large city centers;

The cable radio and television network has the capability to transmit radio, television, telecommunications, and Internet signals over a unified infrastructure, consistent with the convergence trend of technology and services;

- For multi-channel microwave distribution service (MMDS):

Immediately cease investment in developing additional MMDS subscribers on the 2.5 - 2.69 GHz band, aiming to completely end the use of the MMDS system on this band by 2010 for mobile services and wideband wireless access according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Resolution and the National Radio Frequency Planning approved by the Prime Minister;

Organizations and radio and television stations currently operating the MMDS system on the 2.5 - 2.69 GHz band must develop plans to switch customers to alternative methods;

c) Transmission network for satellite radio and television.

- Combine satellite broadcasting with suitable power rebroadcasting stations and the use of digital satellite receivers to deliver radio and television programs to signal shadow areas, especially remote, mountainous, and island regions;

- Prioritize the development of satellite radio and television transmission networks in remote, border, and island areas on the Ku band to provide radio and television services to individual subscribers (Direct-to-Home - DTH) with compact and convenient terminal receiving devices; combine the use of C and Ku bands for program exchange between radio and television stations;

- Combine the use of Vietnam's Vinasat satellite and regional and international satellite systems to cover radio and television broadcasts serving external information tasks;

d) Broadcasting through mobile networks and the Internet.

Promote the development of radio and television through mobile networks and the Internet to meet the information and entertainment needs of a large number of telecommunications subscribers, while serving external information tasks, particularly the overseas Vietnamese community;

2. Technology and standards.

a) Study and test digital radio technologies to select a digital radio standard for Vietnam by 2010; develop feasible plans for transitioning from analog to digital radio; develop a roadmap for transitioning to digital radio in Vietnam;

b) Develop Vietnamese standards for terrestrial digital television based on applying the European Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial (DVB-T) standard and subsequent versions to implement terrestrial digital television in Vietnam; continue researching and evaluating other terrestrial digital television standards to make appropriate choices for Vietnam's future digital broadcasting system;

c) Accelerate the application of wideband mobile technologies (IMT-2000) and subsequent new technologies to develop mobile radio and television services;

d) Gradually develop Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and high-definition television (HDTV) technologies;

đ) Units and enterprises licensed to establish and operate radio and television transmission and broadcasting systems must ensure that their systems are designed and installed in accordance with regulations, standards, and technical specifications to guarantee service quality and not cause interference to other information systems;

3. Services.

a) Signal transmission service:

- Radio and television stations may lease transmission services through optical fiber, microwave, and satellite from units and enterprises with permits to provide transmission services to transmit programs to rebroadcasting transmitters in order to cover remote areas, mountainous regions, islands, and areas where terrestrial transmission and broadcasting infrastructure has not yet reached;

- Radio and television stations may directly establish and operate microwave and satellite transmission methods for news gathering systems (SNG).

b) Broadcasting transmission service:

- Prioritize the development of terrestrial television transmission services in plains and midlands; develop cable and mobile radio and television transmission services in urban areas and densely populated regions; enhance the use of satellite radio and television transmission services combined with small and medium rebroadcasting stations in remote areas, mountainous regions, islands;

- Units and enterprises that have permits to provide terrestrial digital radio and television transmission, cable radio and television services must allocate capacity to transmit one channel of local radio and television programs and programs serving national political tasks of state radio and television stations according to state regulations when implementing projects in localities;

- Local radio and television stations that meet the required number of program channels and broadcast time as stipulated shall be granted permission to use digital broadcasting transmitters and radio frequency spectrum to transmit their own channels to listeners-viewers. Local radio and television stations that do not meet the conditions for using digital broadcasting transmitters and radio frequency spectrum may choose units and enterprises with permits to provide terrestrial digital radio and television services to transmit one channel serving national political tasks according to state regulations and lease broadcasting transmission services from units and enterprises with permits to provide broadcasting transmission services to transmit other radio and television channels (if any) to listeners-viewers through economic contracts between both parties;

- Develop broadcasting transmission services through satellites, particularly the Vinasat satellite, to provide Direct-to-Home (DTH) services across the entire territory of Vietnam and countries within its coverage area;

4. Market.

a) Gradually form and develop the market for radio and television transmission and broadcasting based on clearly distinguishing information content activities from transmission and broadcasting activities to ensure compliance with state management mechanisms:

- Information content provision, editing, and production activities of radio and television stations shall be carried out in accordance with the Press Law and planning for radio and television;

- Transmission and broadcasting activities of units and enterprises providing transmission and broadcasting services shall be conducted in accordance with telecommunications laws, radio frequency spectrum laws, and transmission and broadcasting planning;

- Units and enterprises may implement one or both functions based on their functions and tasks;

b) Clearly distinguish the use of transmission and broadcasting infrastructure for political tasks assigned by the state from its use for other purposes to have appropriate financial, investment, and frequency resource mechanisms to promote the development of the transmission and broadcasting market:

- Channels of radio and television programs serving political tasks assigned by the state shall be allocated a reasonable proportion of information resources consistent with the digitalization roadmap and be given preferential rates for the use of radio frequency spectrum;

- Financial and investment policies shall be implemented in accordance with the law to enable enterprises providing radio and television transmission and broadcasting services to reduce channel leasing fees while also having measures to manage and control channel leasing fees of enterprises holding a dominant market share;

c) Mobilize social resources to develop the radio and television transmission and broadcasting market towards specialization and professionalism while ensuring stable and effective operation of the transmission and broadcasting system transmitting channels serving political tasks of national and local radio and television stations;

d) Establish management mechanisms and systems of licensing conditions for establishing networks and providing radio and television transmission and broadcasting services within a province, city, region, or nationwide based on the principle:

- Ensuring good service for political tasks assigned by the state, network security, efficient use of national radio frequency resources, reasonable competition levels, and investment effectiveness of units and enterprises. During the period from 2010 to 2020, in Vietnam, there will be a maximum of seven to eight units and enterprises providing terrestrial digital radio and television transmission services, including two to three units and enterprises providing services nationwide, with the remaining units and enterprises mainly providing services in a region (one or several provinces and cities);

- Creating favorable conditions for units and enterprises meeting the requirements to participate in investing in cable radio and television infrastructure based on prioritizing the application of digital technology, using optical fiber, and undergrounding cable networks;

- Promote the development of the market for radio and television transmission and broadcasting through satellites based on ensuring reasonable and competitive prices for leasing Vinasat satellite capacity in Vietnam compared to regional satellite capacity rental prices; prioritize granting permits for satellite radio and television services to units and enterprises operating in the entire country;

IV. SOLUTIONS

1. Enhance and unify understanding, intensify information dissemination and propaganda:

a) Enhance and unify understanding, intensify information dissemination and propaganda regarding the viewpoints, objectives, orientations, and contents of this Plan through mass media, conferences, and seminars for all agencies, units, enterprises operating in the broadcasting and television sector, and all citizens;

b) Compile and develop programs and materials to strengthen the dissemination and provision of information on the necessity, benefits, roadmap, and models of transitioning to digital broadcasting and television to management levels and all citizens.

2. Improve mechanisms, policies, and laws:

a) Draft and amend Laws and regulatory legal documents, plans, and regulations related to the broadcasting and television sector:

- Draft and amend the Law on Telecommunications, the Law on Press, the Law on Radio Frequency, the Telecommunications Plan, the Radio Frequency Plan, the Broadcasting and Television Plan... to perfect the legal environment to promote the development of broadcasting and television transmission infrastructure;

- Amend provisions related to the reception of broadcasting and television programs via satellite towards allowing citizens to purchase satellite receiving equipment (TVRO) to receive programs from the Vinasat satellite to popularize national and local broadcasting and television programs in areas with difficult geography;

b) On the basis of improving production efficiency, continue to implement policies to reduce domestic and international leased channel service fees to be equal to or lower than the regional and world average to develop the signal transmission service market, thereby further promoting content exchange between broadcasting and television stations;

c) Develop mechanisms and policies to protect user rights based on ensuring compliance with regulations on standard management, quality, and service fee rates.

3. Reform organization and operation of broadcasting and television transmission:

a) Establish broadcasting and television transmission enterprises with large-scale transmission infrastructure capable of providing services to all broadcasting and television stations nationwide;

b) National broadcasting and television stations and local broadcasting and television stations meeting the conditions may establish affiliated transmission enterprises to participate in the market and provide transmission services across the country or a region (one or several provinces/cities);

c) Reform the organization and operation of local broadcasting and television stations in sync with the digitalization roadmap for transmission technology, towards:

- Local broadcasting and television stations will continue to handle analog broadcasting and television transmission until the complete cessation of analog television according to the digitalization roadmap;

- From the point of ceasing analog television, stations without the necessary permits to set up terrestrial digital broadcasting and television networks will focus mainly on content production;

4. Develop resources:

a) Investment capital mobilization policy:

- For projects investing in infrastructure for transmission and broadcasting serving political tasks assigned by the State, priority shall be given to using state budget funds, aid, and preferential loans from abroad. For projects investing in infrastructure for transmission and broadcasting serving other objectives, funds shall be raised from enterprises and society;

- Study and supplement mechanisms for mobilizing and utilizing the Universal Service Fund to accelerate the digitalization of broadcasting and television, particularly to support citizens in acquiring digital radio and television receiving equipment and to free up part of the frequency band currently used for terrestrial television for mobile and wireless broadband services;

b) Human resource training and development policy:

- Promote socialization in training and retraining technical staff and skilled workers to meet the requirements of high-tech application in the broadcasting and television transmission sector;

- Improve teaching methods and curricula at specialized universities and colleges of broadcasting and television engineering and at electronics and telecommunications departments to develop a team of highly qualified engineers;

5. Research, development, and innovation of technology:

a) Encourage the transfer of broadcasting and television transmission technology, acquisition of copyright to facilitate the import and implementation of advanced broadcasting and television transmission technologies;

b) Support the development of broadcasting and television transmission equipment manufacturing technology, especially end-user digital audio-visual equipment through the rapid establishment and issuance of technical standards for new transmission technologies;

6. Strengthen international cooperation:

a) Strengthen cooperation with international organizations in the broadcasting and television sector, coordinate exchanges and training of experts in technical and management fields;

b) Leverage international cooperation to attract foreign investment, particularly Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding, to develop broadcasting and television networks in remote, mountainous, and island regions;

Article 2. Implementation:

1. The Ministry of Information and Communications:

a) Organize the implementation and monitoring of the plan, based on the country's economic development situation, submit to the Prime Minister the contents that need to be updated and adjusted to the plan for appropriateness;

b) Draft and submit to the Prime Minister for approval the Digitalization Plan for Terrestrial Broadcasting and Television Transmission;

c) Draft and submit to the Prime Minister for adjustment and supplementation of mechanisms for mobilizing and utilizing the Universal Service Fund to accelerate the digitalization of broadcasting and television transmission, while ensuring the goal of developing public telecommunications services.

d) On the basis of the situation and development needs of the transmission and broadcasting market to establish a system of licensing conditions for setting up networks and providing transmission and broadcasting services that are consistent with the planning for developing the radio and television system, the digitalization roadmap, and ensuring state management.

đ) Establish and promulgate national technical standards for transmission and broadcasting of radio and television; establish and submit to the competent authority for publication the national technical standards for transmission and broadcasting of radio and television in accordance with the provisions of the law.

2. The Ministry of Planning and Investment:

a) Take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Finance in mobilizing capital sources for the development and modernization of the transmission and broadcasting network of radio and television.

b) Take the lead and coordinate with the Ministry of Finance to develop plans to ensure funding from the state budget for investment in building and implementing projects (annexed) to modernize the transmission and broadcasting network of radio and television and implement the digitalization roadmap.

3. Ministry of Finance:

Develop mechanisms and policies on taxation and finance in accordance with the provisions of the law to encourage enterprises producing and importing digital receiving and transmitting equipment and providing digital transmission and broadcasting services to implement the digitalization roadmap.

4. Vietnam Television, Voice of Vietnam:

a) Build, improve, and directly and comprehensively manage the national transmission and broadcasting system under the station to broadcast radio and television programs, especially news-political, science-education, cultural, ethnic, and foreign affairs programs within the country and abroad.

b) Take the lead in building and implementing projects to expand the coverage of public service radio and television broadcasts according to the planning approved by the Prime Minister to provide radio and television programs to all citizens; coordinate with transmission and broadcasting units and enterprises, radio and television stations to implement the digitalization roadmap and share transmission and broadcasting infrastructure.

c) Develop transmission and broadcasting planning, digitalization roadmap, and organizational and operational reforms of the station in line with this planning and assigned functions and tasks.

5. People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall implement and direct local radio and television stations to implement the planning based on good coordination with national radio and television stations and transmission and broadcasting units and enterprises in their areas to achieve coverage goals, shared infrastructure usage, and transition to digital technology.

6. Units and enterprises licensed to build transmission and broadcasting network infrastructure for radio and television, local radio and television stations shall develop planning and development plans in line with this planning; coordinate to implement the digitalization roadmap and share transmission and broadcasting infrastructure for radio and television.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect 45 days from the date of issuance.

Article 4. Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government-affiliated agencies, Chairmen of provincial and centrally governed city People's Committees, General Directors and Directors of transmission and broadcasting units and enterprises, radio and television stations are responsible for implementing this Decision./.

 

 

ANNEX

LIST OF KEY PROJECT GROUPS IN THE TRANSMISSION AND BROADCASTING PLANNING UNTIL 2020

(Annexed to Decision No. 22/2009/QĐ-TTg dated February 16, 2009 of the Government)

Group I Project: "Expanding the coverage of television transmission to mountainous, remote, and far-flung areas".

Project Objective: Expand television coverage to mountainous, remote, and far-flung areas that have not been able to watch television up until now, using terrestrial broadcasting methods for analog radio and television (before 2011) and combining with the use of Vinasat satellite.

Source of Funds: State budget.

Implementing Unit: Vietnam Television, Radio and Television Stations of provinces and centrally governed cities.

Group II Project: "Expanding Radio Coverage to Mountainous, Remote, Far-flung, and Coastal Areas".

Project Objective: To strengthen robust, stable, continuous, and high-quality coverage for coastal areas and enhance coverage in low-signal areas of radio programs in deep and remote provinces through high-quality FM waves (before 2011).

Source of Funds: State budget.

Implementing Unit: Voice of Vietnam Radio, Radio and Television Stations of provinces and centrally governed cities.

Group III Project: "Developing Digital Terrestrial Television Network".

Project Objective: Develop a digital terrestrial broadcasting system nationwide, at localities concurrently with the analog broadcasting system during the transition period, and implement the digitalization roadmap to provide television programs serving state-assigned political tasks, meeting national development needs while satisfying the increasingly high demands of the people.

Source of Funds: State budget, capital from enterprises, and other sources of funds.

Implementing Unit: Vietnam Television, Vietnam Television and Communication Corporation (VTC), and units and enterprises participating in providing broadcasting and television transmission services.

Group IV Project: "Developing National Digital Terrestrial Radio Network".

Project Objective: Develop a digital terrestrial broadcasting system nationwide at localities concurrently with the analog broadcasting system during the transition period, and according to the digitalization roadmap for radio to provide radio programs serving state-assigned political tasks, meeting national development needs while satisfying the increasingly high demands of the people.

Source of Funds: State budget, capital from enterprises, and other sources of funds.

Implementing Unit: Voice of Vietnam Radio and units and enterprises participating in providing broadcasting and television transmission services.

Group Project V: "Production and Supply of Digital Television Receivers".

Project Objective: Produce and supply digital television receivers at appropriate prices to enable users in remote, mountainous, and island areas to purchase digital receivers.

Source of Funds: State budget, capital from enterprises, and other sources of funds.

Implementing Unit: Units and enterprises producing digital radio and television equipment.

Group VI Project: "Developing Cable Radio and Television Networks in Localities Nationwide".

Project Objective: Develop cable radio and television networks in provincial and centrally governed city centers.

Source of Funds: Enterprise capital.

Implementing Unit: Units and enterprises providing cable television services./.