An updated and clearer telecom infrastructure management code went
into effect on Friday.
According to the code, jointly issued by the Ministry of
Information Industry (MII) and the State Development Planning
Commission (SDPC), companies must get MII's approval before
constructing telecom or cable broadcasting networks.
The code states that MII, China's telecom regulator, will have
regulatory and management responsibilities for the infrastructure
of public telecom networks, private telecom networks and those of
the cable broadcasting.
"The code is consistent with the government's standardization of
the telecom market,'' an MII spokesman said.
The cable broadcasting networks represent a major move forward in
the new code, industry insiders said.
The cable networks, which transmit TV programs to more than 90
million Chinese families, are under management of the State
Administration of Radio, Film and TV (SARFT), not MII.
The new code states MII must approve construction of the cable
networks.
The management convergence of telecom networks and cable
broadcasting networks is unavoidable, said Yang Peifang, an expert
at the China Academy of Telecom Research.
"Sooner or later, a telecom authority will take charge of
regulations to all transmission networks, including both telecom
and cable,'' Yang said.
The code cited overseas capital in the basic infrastructure for the
first time.
According to China's promise to the World Trade Organization (WTO),
the basic telecom market, including network construction, will
gradually open to overseas companies.
They must also obey the code and all the other telecom regulations,
MII said.
With the code, officials aim to better use transmission resources,
ensure a fair marketplace and encourage competition.
Lured by rich profits from the telecom field, many companies were
illegally involved in network construction in recent years.
(China
Daily February 2, 2002)