HCMC – The Ministry of Information and Communications has asked Vietnamese internet service providers to review their cooperation with partners who offer cross-border over-the-top (OTT) television services in the country.
The leased services offered by Vietnamese network providers to Netflix, Apple, Amazon, Tencent, IQIYI and Hunan would be put under review to ensure legal compliance.
Since Government Decree 71 came into force on January 1 this year, foreign TV streaming service providers such as Netflix, WeTV and iQiYi must secure licenses to operate in Vietnam.
According to the Authority of Broadcasting and Electronic Information under the Ministry of Information and Communications, the review ensures that cross-border TV services must be in compliance with Vietnam’s current regulations.
By doing this, the Vietnamese Government could strengthen the management and supervision of foreign TV streaming service providers that have not been licensed into the country.
A Ministry of Information and Communications report said that Netflix agreed to provide cross-border TV services in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, three others — IQIYI and Tencent from China and Apple from the U.S., will offer virtual movie streaming services in Vietnam.
Hunan from China and Amazon from the U.S. will not participate in offering the services.
The Ministry of Information and Communications will coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to manage the movie streaming services with Netflix, Apple, Tencent and IQIYI.
Advertising and promoting services for these entertainment service providers will be banned until they fully comply with current regulations on providing services or have operating licenses.
