15:53' 25/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam Telecom National Company (VTN) under the Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Group yesterday opened its information and communication technology (ICT) demonstration areas in Hanoi and HCMC on the Internet Protocol-Next Generation Network (IP-NGN) foundation.
Visitors, living in Hanoi and HCMC, are testing telepresence service of VTN which was launched in the two cities yesterday.
The service, conducted in collaboration with Hanoi City's Post and Telecommunication Department, is the first technology of its kind in the country.
Nguyen Thanh Khiet, deputy general director of VTN, said at the press meeting on Tuesday that with the latest technology, its demonstration areas will offer various added-value services on the basis of IP-NGN foundation for enterprises, organizations and individuals.
These services include internet Protocol IP Centrex (virtual exchange), telemeeting, telepresence, video conference, Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN) and other information technology applications.
The company offers various information technology solutions like Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprises Resource Planning for enterprises. Additionally, it will supply Wifi Access, Voice over Internet Protocol, Internet Protocol and other solutions.
Khiet said that VTN is the first telecom company to offer telepresence service on IP-NGN advanced technology in the country.
He told the Daily that his company would focus on developing the telemeeting service as it promises high potential owing to the increasing demand for online meetings.
"We recognize an increasing demand among State agencies and enterprises for telemeeting and telepresence services that will help them reduce expenditures for organizing meetings and paperwork for business operations," he said.
According to Khiet, the Government Office now is its first client using telepresence. The Government will use the service for meetings to save on cost and time.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will chair the first telepresence meeting this Sunday to discuss inflation, micro-economic stabilization, social welfare and sustainable development.
The meeting will be conducted via nine telepresence locations in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Nghe An, Danang, Khanh Hoa, Daklak, HCMC and Can Tho.
Aside from State agencies, VTN will also target finance and insurance businesses and foreign-invested companies who have high demand for telepresence. Currently, these businesses account for 60% of VTN's turnover a year.
Khiet told the Daily that to expand its business VTN will move its demonstration area in HCMC's District 10 to District 1 in the city downtown to better serve enterprises and organizations.
"Now, the facility is located in District 10, which is far from the city's heart. Thus, it is difficult for us to operate business," he added.
Currently, VTN will offer telepresence meeting price at around VND10mil each hour.
Founded in 1990, VTN is a 100% state-owned subsidiary company of Vietnam Post and Telecommunications (VNPT). For more than a decade of development, VTN has become one of the leading companies in telecommunications networking in Vietnam with its four interprovincial exchanges in Hanoi, Danang, HCMC and Can Tho.
VTN has modern transmission networks, Synchronous Digital Hierachy (SDH) microwave links, and optical fiber cable network with backbone system capacity of up to 20 GB/s and a Next Generation Network (NGN).
Friday, 25 April 2008
Government puts its weight behind paying for copyrights
10:51' 25/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Lai Van Hoat, an expert from the National Copyright Office of Viet Nam under the Culture, Tourism and Sports Ministry, spoke to Viet Nam Investment Review about purchasing copyrights for State-owned companies.
Will you briefly explain the new document?
The document is included in a draft of the inter-ministerial circular between the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance.
Under the document, the Government provides financial support to agencies (within central and local governments) seeking copyrights from other companies in order to air or distribute literary and artistic works, including performances, sound or visual recordings and broadcasts of scientific and artistic value to the general public. Any work in service of the country’s socio-economic development like information dissemination, diplomatic activities and global integration also applies.
The basic principle of the circular is to support only literary or artistic work that has not been granted financial support by any organisation or individual.
Organisations, individuals or entities operating under the mode of foreign investment will not be entitled to receive the support. Neither will private businesses that are engaged in the cultural field.
What are the steps involved?
Interested parties have to write an annual plan which must be approved by the head of the affiliated agency and submitted to the authorised government agency at the central or local level prior to October 31st every year.
Based on the plans, relevant government agencies in charge of copyrights will form advisory councils to consider the proposals and recommend funds before forwarding them to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports or the Provincial/City People’s Committee for final approval.
What are the funding levels?
It depends.
If the project meets all the required criteria, it will receive full funding for the copyrights, including remuneration to pay the author and for translation into the Vietnamese language.
What happens if the cost projection is too low or exceeds estimates?
In their proposal, the agencies should list what literary or artistic works they are going to buy and anticipate how much money they will cost.
However, if the projection is insufficient, the agency has to use its own money to fill the gap. Compensation will not be granted for insufficient funds.
In cases where the projection is too high, during their review meeting, the advisory councils will cut it.
The draft document regulates that about 70% of the fund will be advanced and the remainder will be settled when the works are totally completed.
It is expected that the document will be issued in the last quarter of 2008.
VietNamNet Bridge – Lai Van Hoat, an expert from the National Copyright Office of Viet Nam under the Culture, Tourism and Sports Ministry, spoke to Viet Nam Investment Review about purchasing copyrights for State-owned companies.
Will you briefly explain the new document?
The document is included in a draft of the inter-ministerial circular between the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance.
Under the document, the Government provides financial support to agencies (within central and local governments) seeking copyrights from other companies in order to air or distribute literary and artistic works, including performances, sound or visual recordings and broadcasts of scientific and artistic value to the general public. Any work in service of the country’s socio-economic development like information dissemination, diplomatic activities and global integration also applies.
The basic principle of the circular is to support only literary or artistic work that has not been granted financial support by any organisation or individual.
Organisations, individuals or entities operating under the mode of foreign investment will not be entitled to receive the support. Neither will private businesses that are engaged in the cultural field.
What are the steps involved?
Interested parties have to write an annual plan which must be approved by the head of the affiliated agency and submitted to the authorised government agency at the central or local level prior to October 31st every year.
Based on the plans, relevant government agencies in charge of copyrights will form advisory councils to consider the proposals and recommend funds before forwarding them to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports or the Provincial/City People’s Committee for final approval.
What are the funding levels?
It depends.
If the project meets all the required criteria, it will receive full funding for the copyrights, including remuneration to pay the author and for translation into the Vietnamese language.
What happens if the cost projection is too low or exceeds estimates?
In their proposal, the agencies should list what literary or artistic works they are going to buy and anticipate how much money they will cost.
However, if the projection is insufficient, the agency has to use its own money to fill the gap. Compensation will not be granted for insufficient funds.
In cases where the projection is too high, during their review meeting, the advisory councils will cut it.
The draft document regulates that about 70% of the fund will be advanced and the remainder will be settled when the works are totally completed.
It is expected that the document will be issued in the last quarter of 2008.
Government puts its weight behind paying for copyrights
10:51' 25/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Lai Van Hoat, an expert from the National Copyright Office of Viet Nam under the Culture, Tourism and Sports Ministry, spoke to Viet Nam Investment Review about purchasing copyrights for State-owned companies.
Will you briefly explain the new document?
The document is included in a draft of the inter-ministerial circular between the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance.
Under the document, the Government provides financial support to agencies (within central and local governments) seeking copyrights from other companies in order to air or distribute literary and artistic works, including performances, sound or visual recordings and broadcasts of scientific and artistic value to the general public. Any work in service of the country’s socio-economic development like information dissemination, diplomatic activities and global integration also applies.
The basic principle of the circular is to support only literary or artistic work that has not been granted financial support by any organisation or individual.
Organisations, individuals or entities operating under the mode of foreign investment will not be entitled to receive the support. Neither will private businesses that are engaged in the cultural field.
What are the steps involved?
Interested parties have to write an annual plan which must be approved by the head of the affiliated agency and submitted to the authorised government agency at the central or local level prior to October 31st every year.
Based on the plans, relevant government agencies in charge of copyrights will form advisory councils to consider the proposals and recommend funds before forwarding them to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports or the Provincial/City People’s Committee for final approval.
What are the funding levels?
It depends.
If the project meets all the required criteria, it will receive full funding for the copyrights, including remuneration to pay the author and for translation into the Vietnamese language.
What happens if the cost projection is too low or exceeds estimates?
In their proposal, the agencies should list what literary or artistic works they are going to buy and anticipate how much money they will cost.
However, if the projection is insufficient, the agency has to use its own money to fill the gap. Compensation will not be granted for insufficient funds.
In cases where the projection is too high, during their review meeting, the advisory councils will cut it.
The draft document regulates that about 70% of the fund will be advanced and the remainder will be settled when the works are totally completed.
It is expected that the document will be issued in the last quarter of 2008.
VietNamNet Bridge – Lai Van Hoat, an expert from the National Copyright Office of Viet Nam under the Culture, Tourism and Sports Ministry, spoke to Viet Nam Investment Review about purchasing copyrights for State-owned companies.
Will you briefly explain the new document?
The document is included in a draft of the inter-ministerial circular between the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance.
Under the document, the Government provides financial support to agencies (within central and local governments) seeking copyrights from other companies in order to air or distribute literary and artistic works, including performances, sound or visual recordings and broadcasts of scientific and artistic value to the general public. Any work in service of the country’s socio-economic development like information dissemination, diplomatic activities and global integration also applies.
The basic principle of the circular is to support only literary or artistic work that has not been granted financial support by any organisation or individual.
Organisations, individuals or entities operating under the mode of foreign investment will not be entitled to receive the support. Neither will private businesses that are engaged in the cultural field.
What are the steps involved?
Interested parties have to write an annual plan which must be approved by the head of the affiliated agency and submitted to the authorised government agency at the central or local level prior to October 31st every year.
Based on the plans, relevant government agencies in charge of copyrights will form advisory councils to consider the proposals and recommend funds before forwarding them to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sports or the Provincial/City People’s Committee for final approval.
What are the funding levels?
It depends.
If the project meets all the required criteria, it will receive full funding for the copyrights, including remuneration to pay the author and for translation into the Vietnamese language.
What happens if the cost projection is too low or exceeds estimates?
In their proposal, the agencies should list what literary or artistic works they are going to buy and anticipate how much money they will cost.
However, if the projection is insufficient, the agency has to use its own money to fill the gap. Compensation will not be granted for insufficient funds.
In cases where the projection is too high, during their review meeting, the advisory councils will cut it.
The draft document regulates that about 70% of the fund will be advanced and the remainder will be settled when the works are totally completed.
It is expected that the document will be issued in the last quarter of 2008.
Wednesday, 23 April 2008
VND850 billion for aquaculture biotechnology
06:02' 23/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge - More than VND850 billion will be invested in a project to develop and apply biotechnology in the fisheries sector from now until 2020.
The project, presented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at a conference in Hanoi on April 21, aims to create a breakthrough in aquaculture development and post-harvest technology.
The project will help ensure sustainable development of the fisheries sector and improve the competitive edge of Vietnam’s aquatic products.
The project will focus on preserving and developing gene sources alongside developing new varieties of aquatic products and support research on feed, disease prevention and treatment, and the management of aquaculture environments.
Control of processed product quality, development of an aquatic biotechnological industry, improving human resources and equipment, and promoting international cooperation are also earmarked for attention.
The sector has applied biotechnologies in production and processing, including traditional biotechnologies, however the fisheries still faced many difficulties such as the lack of staff, long-term strategies and the need for more investment.
VietNamNet Bridge - More than VND850 billion will be invested in a project to develop and apply biotechnology in the fisheries sector from now until 2020.
The project, presented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at a conference in Hanoi on April 21, aims to create a breakthrough in aquaculture development and post-harvest technology.
The project will help ensure sustainable development of the fisheries sector and improve the competitive edge of Vietnam’s aquatic products.
The project will focus on preserving and developing gene sources alongside developing new varieties of aquatic products and support research on feed, disease prevention and treatment, and the management of aquaculture environments.
Control of processed product quality, development of an aquatic biotechnological industry, improving human resources and equipment, and promoting international cooperation are also earmarked for attention.
The sector has applied biotechnologies in production and processing, including traditional biotechnologies, however the fisheries still faced many difficulties such as the lack of staff, long-term strategies and the need for more investment.
Luxoft opens delivery centre in Vietnam
17:07' 23/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Luxoft, a Russian provider of high-end software and product development applications, announced it has opened a new delivery centre in HCM City, Vietnam.
The opening marks the first time an Eastern European software service provider has established a presence in Vietnam.
“Companies today are looking for effective ways to cut costs and improve their bottom lines without sacrificing quality. By enhancing our global footprint, we are proactively mitigating our clients’ cost pressures while preserving the culture of innovation, rock solid execution and engineering excellence that customers have come to expect from Luxoft,” said Dmitry Loschinin, CEO and President of Luxoft.
The Vietnam delivery centre is ideally positioned for clients looking to diversify their sourcing geography portfolio and lower their outsourcing costs. It will service both ISV and enterprise customers and will offer a comprehensive set of applications and product development services.
Luxoft’s clients will benefit from Vietnam’s relatively untapped skilled labour force, solid education system, high English proficiency, and competitive cost structure. NeoIT ranked Vietnam's HCM City as the top non-Indian city in its 2006 review of the most competitive cities for outsourcing, based on available labour pool and infrastructure.
“Vietnam’s economy is booming and we offer a skilled workforce, a fast-growing education system, political stability and lower costs. Luxoft is perfectly poised to take advantage of all we have to offer and deliver tangible benefits to its customers worldwide,” said Truong Gia Binh, head of the Vietnam Software Association.
VietNamNet Bridge – Luxoft, a Russian provider of high-end software and product development applications, announced it has opened a new delivery centre in HCM City, Vietnam.
The opening marks the first time an Eastern European software service provider has established a presence in Vietnam.
“Companies today are looking for effective ways to cut costs and improve their bottom lines without sacrificing quality. By enhancing our global footprint, we are proactively mitigating our clients’ cost pressures while preserving the culture of innovation, rock solid execution and engineering excellence that customers have come to expect from Luxoft,” said Dmitry Loschinin, CEO and President of Luxoft.
The Vietnam delivery centre is ideally positioned for clients looking to diversify their sourcing geography portfolio and lower their outsourcing costs. It will service both ISV and enterprise customers and will offer a comprehensive set of applications and product development services.
Luxoft’s clients will benefit from Vietnam’s relatively untapped skilled labour force, solid education system, high English proficiency, and competitive cost structure. NeoIT ranked Vietnam's HCM City as the top non-Indian city in its 2006 review of the most competitive cities for outsourcing, based on available labour pool and infrastructure.
“Vietnam’s economy is booming and we offer a skilled workforce, a fast-growing education system, political stability and lower costs. Luxoft is perfectly poised to take advantage of all we have to offer and deliver tangible benefits to its customers worldwide,” said Truong Gia Binh, head of the Vietnam Software Association.
Laptop gives Wifi market a kick
09:03' 23/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – Around 320,000 laptops will be sold in Vietnam this year, doubling that of 2007, and along with this the wireless service market will boom, predicts a German market research group, GFK.
Investment wave in Wifi
The bright future for wireless services has urged many companies to invest heavily in this area. HCM City currently has around five providers of wireless services. FPT Telecom is the most outstanding player with a US$1.5 million project to develop a Wifi city initiated in June 2007.
FPT Telecom’s wireless Internet services now cover most banks, hotels and luxurious restaurants in inner HCM City and Hanoi, totalling nearly 5,000 points.
Viettel Mobile has begun testing wireless Internet services by providing free services in some districts in Hanoi and HCM City.
Two CDMA-based mobile networks, S-Fone and EVN Telecom, are implementing wireless Internet services.
No standard wireless model
Though Wifi is praised for its business potentials, telecom firms are hesitating to develop Wifi. Most of them are just testing services.
“After an experimental period, we see space barriers and we are seeking better solutions for these,” said Viettel’s Deputy Director in charge of technology, Hoang Son.
Truong Nguyen Thu Ha, Director of the FPT Telecom’s Added Value Service Development Centre, said a wireless transmitter can cover an area of 30-50m diameter and the coverage is less if there are more walls.
S-Fone’s wireless Internet service for mobile phone is praised for its good quality but the charges are still high. Users have to pay over VND1.5 million (nearly $100) to buy a USB Internet and monthly fees of between VND250,000 and VND400,000 ($15-25).
For EVN Telecom, though the service is wireless, users have to use a slow dial-up connection.
Security is also a problem for wireless Internet services as it is said that hackers can attack computers through Wifi system. Some service providers have warned that as wireless services in Vietnam are in a trial period and there is no standard security model users must protect themselves.
VietNamNet Bridge – Around 320,000 laptops will be sold in Vietnam this year, doubling that of 2007, and along with this the wireless service market will boom, predicts a German market research group, GFK.
Investment wave in Wifi
The bright future for wireless services has urged many companies to invest heavily in this area. HCM City currently has around five providers of wireless services. FPT Telecom is the most outstanding player with a US$1.5 million project to develop a Wifi city initiated in June 2007.
FPT Telecom’s wireless Internet services now cover most banks, hotels and luxurious restaurants in inner HCM City and Hanoi, totalling nearly 5,000 points.
Viettel Mobile has begun testing wireless Internet services by providing free services in some districts in Hanoi and HCM City.
Two CDMA-based mobile networks, S-Fone and EVN Telecom, are implementing wireless Internet services.
No standard wireless model
Though Wifi is praised for its business potentials, telecom firms are hesitating to develop Wifi. Most of them are just testing services.
“After an experimental period, we see space barriers and we are seeking better solutions for these,” said Viettel’s Deputy Director in charge of technology, Hoang Son.
Truong Nguyen Thu Ha, Director of the FPT Telecom’s Added Value Service Development Centre, said a wireless transmitter can cover an area of 30-50m diameter and the coverage is less if there are more walls.
S-Fone’s wireless Internet service for mobile phone is praised for its good quality but the charges are still high. Users have to pay over VND1.5 million (nearly $100) to buy a USB Internet and monthly fees of between VND250,000 and VND400,000 ($15-25).
For EVN Telecom, though the service is wireless, users have to use a slow dial-up connection.
Security is also a problem for wireless Internet services as it is said that hackers can attack computers through Wifi system. Some service providers have warned that as wireless services in Vietnam are in a trial period and there is no standard security model users must protect themselves.
HT Mobile begins shifting subscribers to S-Fone
15:54' 23/04/2008 (GMT+7)
VietNamNet Bridge – As of April 22, HT Mobile, a joint venture between Hanoi Telecom and Hutchison (USA), commenced “sending” its subscribers to S-Fone. This task will last for two months and the firm will officially put an end to its CDMA network on June 21, 2008.
HT Mobile’s subscribers can choose one of two options. They can keep their numbers and phones and use S-Fone services, which employ CDMA technology. In this case, they would still be HT Mobile subscribers, but temporarily use services provided by S-Fone. After two months, they would return to HT Mobile, and at that time HT Mobile would give them new GSM-supported mobile phones which have the same value as their old CDMA-supported phones.
The second option is using services of other mobile networks which use GSM technology. In this case, HT Mobile would partly help its customers to buy new phones.
The shifting service is now being provided at 100 offices of HT Mobile throughout the country. Subscribers can also perform the shift by registering through hot line 123 or sending SMS to 121. In this case they will receive a VND50,000 bonus in their accounts.
HT Mobile joined the telecom market on January 15, 2007, using CDMA 850MHz technology. This company’s goal was to have one million subscribers in 2007 but only achieved half of that. In early January 2008, the network petitioned to change its technology from CDMA to GSM, and the government approved its request.
The firm received a licence to supply e-GSM based mobile services on March 15.
There are six mobile networks in Vietnam, three using GSM technology – VinaPhone, MobiFone and Viettel – and three applying CDMA technology – S-Fone, EVN Telecom and HT Mobile.
VietNamNet Bridge – As of April 22, HT Mobile, a joint venture between Hanoi Telecom and Hutchison (USA), commenced “sending” its subscribers to S-Fone. This task will last for two months and the firm will officially put an end to its CDMA network on June 21, 2008.
HT Mobile’s subscribers can choose one of two options. They can keep their numbers and phones and use S-Fone services, which employ CDMA technology. In this case, they would still be HT Mobile subscribers, but temporarily use services provided by S-Fone. After two months, they would return to HT Mobile, and at that time HT Mobile would give them new GSM-supported mobile phones which have the same value as their old CDMA-supported phones.
The second option is using services of other mobile networks which use GSM technology. In this case, HT Mobile would partly help its customers to buy new phones.
The shifting service is now being provided at 100 offices of HT Mobile throughout the country. Subscribers can also perform the shift by registering through hot line 123 or sending SMS to 121. In this case they will receive a VND50,000 bonus in their accounts.
HT Mobile joined the telecom market on January 15, 2007, using CDMA 850MHz technology. This company’s goal was to have one million subscribers in 2007 but only achieved half of that. In early January 2008, the network petitioned to change its technology from CDMA to GSM, and the government approved its request.
The firm received a licence to supply e-GSM based mobile services on March 15.
There are six mobile networks in Vietnam, three using GSM technology – VinaPhone, MobiFone and Viettel – and three applying CDMA technology – S-Fone, EVN Telecom and HT Mobile.
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