Circular No. 37/2020/TT-BTTTT on Planning for the Use of Frequency Channels for Terrestrial Digital Television in the 470-694 MHz Band

CIRCULAR
Frequency spectrum planning for terrestrial digital television broadcasting
in the 470-694 MHz band

WHEREAS, the Law on Radio Frequency Spectrum dated November 23, 2009;

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

Pursuant to Decision No. 71/2013/QĐ-TTg dated November 21, 2013 of the Prime Minister promulgating the National Radio Frequency Spectrum Plan;

Pursuant to Decision No. 02/2017/QĐ-TTg dated February 17, 2017 of the Prime Minister amending and supplementing the National Radio Frequency Spectrum Plan issued together with Decision No. 71/2013/QĐ-TTg dated November 21, 2013 of the Prime Minister;

At the proposal of the Director of the Radio Frequency Management Department,

The Minister of Information and Communications issues this Circular on frequency spectrum planning for terrestrial digital television broadcasting in the 470-694 MHz band.

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. Scope of application:

This Circular plans the use of frequency channels for terrestrial digital television broadcasting in the 470-694 MHz band in Vietnam.

第二条 组织和实施奖励工作的支出水平，如政府第152/2025/NĐ-CP号决定关于分级授权和奖励领域的分权规定

This Circular applies to organizations, businesses, and individuals producing, importing, operating, and using radio equipment in Vietnam.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. Nationwide transmission and broadcasting unit (hereinafter referred to as: Nationwide TDPS unit) is an organization licensed for telecommunications services under the law to establish a nationwide terrestrial digital television transmission and broadcasting network.

2. Regional transmission and broadcasting unit (hereinafter referred to as: Regional TDPS unit) is an organization holding a telecommunications license under the law to establish a terrestrial digital television transmission and broadcasting network within a region.

3. Single-frequency network is a network consisting of multiple synchronized terrestrial digital television transmitters operating on the same frequency channel, transmitting identical data.

4. License, except for the cases specified in Clauses 1 and 2 of this Article, means a frequency and radio equipment usage license granted to the TDPS unit.

5. Northwest Region includes the provinces of Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Cao Bang, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, Son La, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Hoa Binh.

6. Red River Delta Region includes the provinces and cities of Hanoi, Vinh Phuc, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Nam Dinh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Thai Binh, Ninh Binh, Ha Nam, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang.

7. North Central Coast Region includes the provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue.

8. South Central Coast and Central Highlands Region includes the provinces and city of Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, Khanh Hoa, Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, Dak Nong, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Kon Tum.

9. Southern Region includes the provinces and city of Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Thuan, Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Duong, Long An, Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Can Tho, Dong Thap, Vinh Long, An Giang, Hau Giang, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Kien Giang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau.

Article 3. Content of Planning

1. Allocation of frequency channels for terrestrial digital television broadcasting in the 470-694 MHz band according to the table below:

2. Frequency channel planning for terrestrial digital television broadcasting in the 470-606 MHz band is as follows:

a) Frequency channels 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 are planned for nationwide terrestrial digital television broadcasting, where each Nationwide TDPS unit may be considered for issuance of a license to use no more than four frequency channels, except in the case provided for in Point e of this Clause.

b) Frequency channels 35, 36, 37 are planned for terrestrial digital television broadcasting in the Red River Delta Region, and may be considered for issuance of a license to Regional TDPS units, except in the case provided for in Point e of this Clause.

c) Frequency channels 33, 34, 35 are planned for terrestrial digital television broadcasting in the Southern Region, and may be considered for issuance of a license to Regional TDPS units, except in the case provided for in Point e of this Clause.

d) Frequency channels 36, 37 are planned for terrestrial digital television broadcasting in the South Central Coast and Central Highlands Region, and may be considered for issuance of a license to Regional TDPS units, except in the case provided for in Point e of this Clause.

đ) Frequency channels 33, 34 are planned for terrestrial digital television broadcasting in the Northwest Region and the North Central Coast Region, and may be considered for issuance of a license to Regional TDPS units, except in the case provided for in Point e of this Clause.

e) The frequency channels specified in Points a, b, c, d, and đ of this Clause may also be considered for use by Nationwide TDPS units and Regional TDPS units to address one of the following situations: harmful cross-border interference; implementation of border frequency coordination results; coverage of low-population areas, remote areas, islands.

3. In the event that a TDPS unit requests an extension of a license already issued in the 606-694 MHz band before the effective date of this Circular, such extension will be considered, with the total duration of the initial issuance and subsequent extensions not exceeding ten years. If the initial issuance has a term of ten years, it will only be considered for an extension of up to one year.

4. In the event that a TDPS unit requests issuance of a license to use the same frequency channel as a previously issued license (in the 606-694 MHz band and still valid), such issuance will be considered with a term not exceeding December 31, 2028. The TDPS unit shall bear full responsibility for all related matters, including any additional costs (if any), when the term does not exceed December 31, 2028.

5. In the Red River Delta Region and the Southern Region (excluding broadcast sites at Tam Dao Mountain - Vinh Phuc, Nui Cam - An Giang, Chu Chan Mountain - Dong Nai, Ba Den Mountain - Tay Ninh, Ba Ra Mountain - Binh Phuoc), TDPS units are responsible for implementing single-frequency network terrestrial digital television broadcasting.

6. It is encouraged to implement single-frequency network terrestrial digital television broadcasting in the Northwest Region, the North Central Coast Region, the South Central Coast and Central Highlands Region.

7. TDPS units are responsible for coordinating with each other to avoid harmful interference.

Article 4. Implementation provisions

1. This Circular takes effect from January 1, 2021.

2. The Director of the Office, the Director of the Radio Frequency Management Department, the Heads of agencies and units under the Ministry of Information and Communications, and relevant organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular. Any difficulties encountered during implementation should be promptly reported to the Ministry of Information and Communications (Radio Frequency Management Department) for guidance and resolution./.