Vietnam news » IT – Telecom

WikiLeaks’ site back with new address after six hours

admin — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:30:29 +0000

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, pictured on November 4.

The whistleblower website WikiLeaks was back on line Friday with a new Swiss address — wikileaks.ch — six hours after its previous domain name — wikileaks.org — was shut down.

"WikiLeaks moves to Switzerland," the group declared on Twitter, although an Internet trace of the new domain name suggested that the site itself is still hosted in Sweden and in France.

Webusers accessing the wikileaks.ch address are directed to a page under the URL http://213.251.145.96/ — which gives them access to the former site, including a massive trove of leaked US diplomatic traffic.

The original wikileaks.org domain was taken offline at 0300 GMT Friday by its American domain name system provider, EveryDNS.net, following reports of massive cyberattacks on the site.

"The interference at issue arises from the fact that wikileaks.org has become the target of multiple distributed denial of service (DDOS) attacks," EveryDNS.net said in a statement.

Classic DDoS attacks occur when legions of "zombie" computers, normally machines infected with viruses, are commanded to simultaneously visit a website, overwhelming servers or knocking them offline completely.

The latest technological setback for the whistleblower site came after Amazon booted it from its computer servers on Wednesday following pressure from US politicians, prompting the site to move to a French server.

"Free speech the land of the free — fine, our dollars are now spent to employ people in Europe," WikiLeaks said. "If Amazon are so uncomfortable with the First Amendment, they should get out of the business of selling books."

On Sunday, WikiLeaks began publishing the first batch of more than 250,000 US diplomatic cables, many of them classified as "secret", that the website is believed to have obtained from a disaffected US soldier.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said last month that he was considering requesting asylum in Switzerland and basing the whistleblowing website in the fiercely neutral Alpine country.

"That is a real possibility," Assange said when asked whether he and the website might relocate, adding that Switzerland, and perhaps Iceland, were the only Western countries that his outfit feels safe in.

Assange told the TSR television that Wikileaks was examining the possibility of creating a foundation that would allow it operate out of Switzerland, and confirmed he might apply for asylum.

Source: AFP

Young S.Koreans face midnight ban for online games

admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 03:10:52 +0000

South Korea’s government is close to adopting a “Cinderella” law to ban youngsters from playing online games past midnight amid growing concerns about Internet addiction, officials said Thursday.

A bill to be submitted to parliament as early as this month will require South Korean online game companies to cut off services at midnight for users registered as younger than 16, the culture and family ministries said.

“The thing about online games is, once you are in it, it is extremely hard to get out of it, especially if you are a young kid,” Jo Rin, a ministry official in charge of the law, told AFP.

“A lot of kids play games all night long and have trouble studying at school and going about their normal lives during daytime. We believe the law is necessary to ensure their health and a right to sleep.”

The online services would resume at six the following morning, he said, adding there would be a year-long waiting period until the law takes effect so that companies can prepare for it.

The government is also considering requiring companies to limit young users’ access to online games to a maximum number of hours a week or a day if parents request this, said Jo.

South Korea is one of the world’s most wired societies, but there have been sporadic reports of deaths related to Internet game addiction.

Last month a 15-year-old South Korean boy committed suicide after killing his mother for scolding him over playing computer games too much.

In February a 32-year-old man died after reportedly playing for five days with few breaks.

A month later police arrested a couple accused of leaving their baby daughter to starve to death while they raised a “virtual” child on the Internet. The baby had long been malnourished, an autopsy showed.

The government, which estimates that South Korea has about two million web addicts, is already launching one campaign to combat the affliction.

From next year, it will offer free software to people at risk, to limit the time they spend on the web.

Source: AFP

File photo shows dozens of South Korean cyber gamers in Taejeon

Microsoft to help develop nation’s technology sector

admin — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:01:16 +0000

Microsoft Vietnam and the Ministry of Information and Communication signed a Memorandum of Understanding that aims to help accelerate the growth . . .

VnnNews – Microsoft Vietnam and the Ministry of Information and Communication signed a Memorandum of Understanding that aims to help accelerate the growth of the nation’s information and communications technology industry.

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The MoU, signed in Ha Noi yesterday, April 20, also aims to help sharpen the sector’s competitive edge in the global arena.

The two sides expressed the hope that their co-operation will help transform the information, communication and technology (ICT) sector into a key contributor to national economic growth as set out in the “ICT Vision 2020 Policy” of the Vietnamese Government.

Under the MoU, the two sides agreed to focus on building Viet Nam’s ICT human resources up to world-class standards; improving Viet Nam’s access to world-class technologies and productivity tools; cultivating a thriving local ICT industry that attracts the interest of foreign investors; stimulating innovation; and enhancing Viet Nam’s capacity to compete globally.

Microsoft will support the ministry to train 450 chief information officers (CIOs) in Ha Noi, HCM City and Da Nang. It will also co-ordinate with the ministry to carry out a series of capacity-building workshops and seminars, and an executive briefing programme at Microsoft’s high-tech facilities.

Both sides are also discussing a pilot deployment of Microsoft’s Windows 7 and Office 2010 in Government organisations with the aim of making the desktop infrastructure into a powerful strategic asset.

Michael Donlan, General Manager of Microsoft Public Sector Asia, said the MoU not only marked the continuing of the partnership between the two sides but also signified the beginning of their deeper partnership to support the Vietnamese Government’s vision to develop Viet Nam into a global ICT powerhouse and the sector into a key contributor to the national socio-economic growth.

“With a young and educated population of close to 90 million, we fully endorse this ambitious vision,” said Donlan.

“As the world’s largest IT company, we want to continue to play a role to enable Viet Nam and its citizens to realise their potential and make this vision a reality.”

The Deputy Minister of Information and Communication, Nguyen Minh Hong, said he greatly appreciated the contribution of Microsoft to the sector’s development in Viet Nam as well as to the Government’s efforts to realise its vision by 2020.

“The ministry will continue to define the public-private partnership as one of the key solutions to accelerating the industry’s growth and ensuring sustainably in the face of international integration,” Hong said.

“The two partners had successfully implemented the public-private partnership agreement for the 2007-10 period, making a great contribution the industry’s growth,” he said.

Also yesterday, the ministry granted its insignia to Christophe Desriac, former general manager of Microsoft Vietnam for his contribution to the industry’s development in Viet Nam during the past six years.

The company recently signed an MoU with the Ministry of Education and Training and other institutions to undertake training programmes for students and business people. It also established the Microsoft innovation centre in Ha Noi, part of 110 Microsoft centres world-wide.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News

Vietnam to survey popularity of telephone, Internet services

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:00:26 +0000

The Government will survey the popularity of telephone and Internet services in Vietnam in 2010, a plan that will be implemented by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

VnnNews – The Government will survey the popularity of telephone and Internet services in Vietnam in 2010, a plan that will be implemented by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC).

Ministry plans nationwide phone and internet survey

MoIC will review results of the survey from June 1-30, 2010, based on data collection completed by May 31, 2010.

All telecommunication, Internet service providers, radio and broadcast stations must send reports about their services to MoIC by May 31.

This survey will be grounds for information and communication development plans in Vietnam and also for the database of Vietnam’s e-government.

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam had 137.6 million telephone subscribers by the end of March 2010, 86 percent being mobile users. The number of broadband Internet subscribers was 3.12 million.

Vietnam ready for 4G

admin — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:59:23 +0000

The Ministry of Information and Communications is collecting telecom firms’ opinions to design a 4G (fourth generation) frequency band plan.

VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Information and Communications is collecting telecom firms’ opinions to design a 4G (fourth generation) frequency band plan.

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Minister of Information and Communications Le Doan Hop assigned this task to the Department of Wireless Frequency and Telecommunications and asked them to finish in 2010.

However, the ministry will only work out the 4G frequency band plan and let telecom firms choose between Wimax or LTE technologies themselves.

According to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the following generation of mobile technology, also called 4G, can provide connections at speeds of up to 100Mb/s, dozens of time faster than the current 3G network.

Five companies in Vietnam have tested 4G Wimax, including Vietnam Data Communications Company (VDC), EVN Telecom, FPT Telecom, Viettel and VTC. VDC tested on 2.5GHz band in Hanoi, HCM City and Da Nang while EVN Telecom tried the technology on 2.3-2.4 GHz in Hanoi and Dong Nai. Viettel tested with 2.3-2.4 GHz in Hanoi and Thai Nguyen and FPT Telecom on 2.3-24. GHz in Hanoi and Hai Phong.

None have asked requested MoIC’s permission to implement 4G services yet.

Ha Phuong

IT-TELECOM IN BRIEF 4/4

admin — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 22:59:05 +0000

Telecoms international summit to be held in Ha Noi; Internet provider wins best internet service provider; Minister urges Viet Nam to build own social network; IBM group helps HCM City build intelligent systems

Telecoms international summit to be held in Ha Noi

The 3rd Telecoms International Summit, co-organised by the Ministry of Information and Communications, will be held in Ha Noi from May 18-20.

The summit will focus on 3G and LTE business opportunities and services, Wimax licensing and deployment, FTTH development and Viet Nam’s bid to be the centre for telecoms equipment production in Southeast Asia.

Among those attending will be Government leaders; senior representatives from MobiFone, Vinaphone, S-Fone, Viettel, EVN Telecom; and leaders of giant telecoms and IT groups from around the world.

Internet provider wins best internet service provider

Viet Nam Data Communications (VDC) won four prizes at the Viet Nam ICT Awards 2009 last week in Ha Noi.

VDC won best internet service provider, best ADSL service to households, best customer care and best new internet service awards.

In 2008, VDC/VNPT won a clutch of prizes at the Viet Nam ICT Awards, including best service provider, best customer care and fastest subscriber growth.

In Viet Nam, VDC holds a 70 per cent share of the internet market.

VDC’s ADSL service has 2.5 million users – 75 per cent of the ADSL market.

Minister urges Viet Nam to build own social network

The Information and Communications Minister Le Doan Hop said Viet Nam should build its own social network so that it can integrate better with the world in terms of information.

The minister said the ministry (MIC)’s top priority this year would be to cut down on unnecessary administrative procedures by speeding up decentralisation.

The ICT industry should focus on core and source technology, in addition to restructuring the radio and TV broadcasting network, and introduce new TV channels covering foreign relations and agriculture.

MIC also aims to bring visual and audio equipment to more families this year, he said.

IBM group helps HCM City build intelligent systems

IBM Viet Nam has announced the successful conclusion of its project to help develop the city under its Volunteer Programme (CSC).

The IBM consultants group came to HCM City late in February this year to formulate a road map for developing the city by 2020.

The group gave free consultations on strategic and technical solutions to a number of departments and recommended that the city build smart systems in a number of key areas such as transport, food, clean-water management, electronic government and technology.

Mobile providers cut fees in race for 3G dominance

Since launching its 3G service, Military-run Viettel has cut its monthly service fee to VND10,000 ($0.6) to attract customers.

Not to be outdone, Mobifone, which also recently launched 3G, reduced its monthly fee to VND5,000.

To attract customers, both mobile operators have introduced 3G promotional programmes. From now until April 30, Viettel will slash its 3G registration fee for mobile internet by 50 per cent. It will also exempt post-paid subscribers from the activation fee. It now also offers bonuses of more than VND1 million on D-com 3G service accounts. Meanwhile, Mobifone has reduced its monthly subscription fee for mobile internet subscribers who use Surf and Suft30 packages until June 3. In addition, subscribers to its FastConnect 3G service will not have to pay an activation fee, while FastConnect 2 and FastConnect 3 users will only have to pay 50 per cent of the subscription fee.

Dinh Viet Hung, chief of Mobifone’s Charge and Marketing Division, said the company needed to promote 3G to stimulate demand.

During the month-long 3G promotional campaign in March in eight southern cities, customers in Tan An, Phan Thiet, Vung Tau, Bien Hoa, Thu Dau Mot, Tay Ninh, Dong Xoai and Da Lat received free software.

Mobifone offers four 3G-based services – video calling, mobile TV, mobile internet and fast connect.

The companies’ promotional campaigns mean the cost of 3G is now less than GPRS.

Software copyrights to be checked at small businesses

admin — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 21:03:21 +0000

The inspection of software piracy in Vietnam has been implemented for seven years. This year inspections will be tightened at small and medium enterprises.

Vu Xuan Thanh, MoCST Chief Inspector, noted that awareness of software copyright laws has improved remarkably in Vietnam, especially at joint-venture firms and big state-owned enterprises.

“However, software piracy happens at almost all small and medium enterprises since they think that inspectors only visit big companies. We confirm that inspection of copyright piracy has been carried out equally and comprehensively at all kinds of businesses,” Thanh commented.

The chief inspector said that on March 25, MoCST inspectors and the Police Agency Against Hi-Tech Crimes inspected a small business named Nam Ha Viet in HCM City. They found out that almost all software installed on its 50 computers are “cracked” products, including Microsoft Window XP Profesional 2002, Microsoft Office 2003, Lạc Việt MTD 2002, Adobe Photoshop CS and Adobe Acrobat Pro 7.

Inspectors asked this company to remove all pirated software within five days and to purchase legal products.

Ha Phuong

Inner-provincial fixed phone charges go floating

admin — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 23:03:08 +0000

As of 2011, telecom firms will be allowed to set charges for inner-provincial fixed phone services on their own, revealed Deputy Minister of Information and Telecommunications Le Nam Thang.

VietNamNet Bridge – As of January 1, 2011, telecom firms will be allowed to set charges for inner-provincial fixed phone services on their own, revealed Deputy Minister of Information and Telecommunications Le Nam Thang.

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Thang told VNexpress online newspaper on March 31 that the charges for all telecom services, including mobile services, will not be controlled by the State. Service providers will have the right to set prices and the State will only control prices of some kinds of services and during sudden changes in the world market.

According to the Ministry of Information and Communications, by the end of 2009, Vietnam had over 20 million fixed phone subscribers, including 6 million wireless fixed phone subscribers.

There are seven firms supplying fixed phone service in Vietnam, including VNPT, Viettel, EVN Telecom, Saigon Postel, FPT Telecom, VTC and most recently, CMC Telecom.

Mobile providers’ 3G war continues, customers win

admin — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:59:41 +0000

After Viettel launched its 3G services with attractive terms, MobiFone and VinaPhone have organized big promotional campaigns.

When launching its 3G services, Viettel popularized their company with the lowest monthly fees of 10,000 dong ($0.6). Immediately, MobiFone also introduced its “3G for Everybody” campaign, dropping its fee to 5000 dong a month.

Both Viettel and MobiFone have planned more special promotional programs for 3G services. From March 25 to April 20, Viettel will slash the 3G registration fee by 50 percent for Mobile Internet service. It will also exempt post-paid subscribers from the activation fee, plus it offers bonuses of over 1 million dong on accounts for D-com 3G service.

MobiFone will reduce monthly subscription fees for Mobile Internet subscribers who use Surf7 and Surf30 packs until June 30 and will additionally exempt activation fees for FastConnect 3G service and cut subscription fees by 50 percent over the next 12 months for Fast Connet2 and Fast Connet3 users.

Dinh Viet Hung, chief of MobiFone’s Charges and Marketing Division, commented: “3G needs a push and MobiFone is taking strong measures to stimulate this service.”

VinaPhone will introduce a promotional program for 3G services early next week.

The charges for 3G service is now cheaper than GPRS services, thanks to this promotion war.

MobiFone undercuts its iPhone rivals

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:59:56 +0000

The company is about to announce the price and distribution policy for iPhone in April 2010.

Of 70,000 people registered with VinaPhone, only 500 have bought the product. Over 50,000 others booked for iPhone with Viettel, but this firm has not released the actual number of buyers.

A MobiFone official confirmed the plan to dismiss doubts that MobiFone has not reached an agreement with Apple and may withdraw from the iPhone race.

“We have signed a contract with Apple, but MobiFone must carefully research the market and its policy,” the official told VNExpress wire.

MobiFone plans to reduce iPhone prices and offer soft service packs. The company official explained that MobiFone will distribute iPhones after Viettel and VinaPhone, so it has to attract customers by slashing prices, even though they may incur losses.

MobiFone is considering a price that may be equivalent to just two-thirds of the Viettel and VinaPhone price.

At present, the price for Viettel’s iPhone is several hundreds of thousands of dong lower than VinaPhone. Viettel’s service packs for iPhone are also different, which further benefit users. The disparity is explained by Viettel’s later announcement of prices and policy.

According to VinaPhone, it sold nearly 500 iPhones on the first day, March 26. Most phones were sold in Hanoi and HCM City. Viettel has yet to release its statistics.

The number of customers visiting Viettel and VinaPhone’s shops to seek information about and buy iPhones had declined rapidly by March 29.

Several days ago, users got excited at hearing that the iPhone price would be zero or only 4 million dong. Nearly 120,000 people registered online to buy iPhones with Viettel and VinaPhone.

Of 70,000 people registered with VinaPhone, only 500 have bought the product. Over 50,000 others booked for iPhone with Viettel, but this firm has not released the actual number of buyers.

The two companies have imported around 12,000 iPhones already.

Mobile experts comment that iPhone sales are still below distributors’ expectations because the price for this product is too high for many people.

VietNamNet/Dan Tri/VNE