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The fusion of telecommunications and IT, coupled with the rapid advancement of digital technology, is erasing the traditional demarcation lines between these sectors. This shift not only blurs boundaries but also brings forth a fresh set of demands necessitating a rethinking of institutional frameworks.
The approval of the amended Law on Telecommunications by the National Assembly, with an overwhelming 468 out of 472 yes votes, marks a pivotal juncture in Vietnam’s legislative journey. This comprehensive law spans 10 chapters and 73 articles, aligning itself with international standards while staying attuned to the evolving trends within the Vietnamese telecommunications sphere, as highlighted by the Authority of Telecommunications (AOT).
One of the law’s notable facets is the introduction of novel regulations governing the management of data centres, cloud computing, and fundamental internet-based telecommunications services. This move synchronises with the developmental trajectory of the telecommunications sector, particularly in response to the fusion of telecommunications with information technology.
The transformative surge in digital technology and its consequential impact on telecommunications infrastructure has redefined the paradigm. What was once conventional telecommunications infrastructure now assumes the mantle of a digital infrastructure underpinning the burgeoning digital economy.
This digital infrastructure encompasses an array of pivotal components, including broadband and universal telecommunication infrastructure, IoT networks, data centres, cloud computing facilities, and digital service and platform infrastructures. Recognising its pivotal role, stakeholders emphasise the multifaceted importance of digital infrastructure, delineating it as universal, sustainable, environmentally conscious, intelligent, and secure.
The trajectory of digital transformation has significantly elevated the stature of data as the most prized asset within the digital economy, rendering data centre infrastructure and cloud computing as indispensable pillars. As a result, stringent regulations and sustainable development policies become imperative to sustain and foster these critical components of digital infrastructure.
The advent of internet-enabled telecommunications services has unveiled new complexities in regulatory oversight. The traditional nexus between telecommunication network infrastructure and service provision has undergone a paradigm shift. Consequently, managing telecommunications services on the Internet and regulating cross-border services have emerged as pressing concerns.
Vietnam’s proactive engagement in next-generation free trade agreements since 2010 has spurred heightened commitments beyond the purview of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This evolution in global trade dynamics necessitates a commensurate evolution in domestic legislative frameworks. Consequently, revisiting and refining the Law on Telecommunications becomes imperative to ensure alignment with contemporary laws and regulations.
The impending enactment of this law is poised to serve as a foundational cornerstone, enabling Vietnam to actualise its ambitions of telecommunications development and fortification of its global standing in the telecommunications realm. This legislative stride not only solidifies Vietnam’s technological footprint but also aligns its regulatory landscape with the exigencies of a rapidly evolving digital era.
Vietnam has been robustly pushing its digital infrastructure agenda and has been putting in place strategies and policies to support this thrust. OpenGov Asia reported that the Ministry of Information and Communications is preparing to launch a strategic plan for international fibre-optic cable development, eyeing robust digital infrastructure growth and emphasising the country’s thriving internet economy. The Ministry is currently designing a strategy for Vietnam’s international fibre-optic cable development that will soon be released.
This initiative aims to guarantee the secure and sustainable advancement of Vietnam’s digital infrastructure, according to Pham Duc Long, the Deputy Minister of MIC. He pointed out that the existing lack of infrastructure presents an opportunity for Vietnam, as there is considerable room to develop it in new innovative and effective ways.
