Internet firms form association

Internet Society of Viet Nam will be formally established next month and expects to approve December 1 as the annual Viet Nam Internet Day, says Viet Nam Data Communications (VDC) director Vu Hoang Lien.

Lien, who is also spearheading the establishment of the internet society, said the idea for the association was formalised in late 2007, when five internet service providers – VDC, Viettel, EVN Telecom, SPT and Netnam – joined in signing a co-operative agreement.

The association would become a voluntary, non-profit socio-professional organisation, gathering businesses, individuals and organisations working in the supply and distribution of internet services and other related fields nationwide, Lien said.

The primary purpose for the association would be to counter fierce competition from foreign businesses with advantages in both experience and finance, he added.

With the growing number of internet services, Vietnamese companies still lacked the professional skills and co-ordinated development to overcome their shortcomings, making an association even more necessary, Lien said.

The Internet Society of Viet Nam would also offer recommendations, suggestions and criticism of internet policy development by State agencies, and ensure wider public access to the internet, especially in remote areas.

It was granted a licence by the Ministry of Home Affairs in June 2010. Sixty-six companies have registered to become charter members of the society. — VNS

Tags: Internet Society of Viet Nam