Since April, 2009, the Department of Information and Communications (DIC) in conjunction with the Construction Department and local authorities have agreed to raise awareness among enterprises and cable television companies about the danger of messy and dangerous hanging cable lines.
Any company with visible lines has to register with DIC and clearly identify their ownership of cabling. After a regulated period, the Ha Noi Power Company will have the right to remove unidentified lines.
"We have sent notification to major cable enterprises such as Viet Nam Cable Television, Viet Nam Mobile Phone, and the Viet Nam Post and Telecommunications Group so that they are entirely clear on the regulations and they are aware of their responsibilities," said Sy.
Any violations found after March 1 will be fined from VND5 million (US$278) to VND10 million ($555.5), according to Decree No 142 of the DIC.
Electricity of Viet Nam (EVN) has also issued a document to regulate hanging cables on EVN electricity poles. It stipulates that cable enterprises are responsible for removing unsafe lines. Violators have a three day period in which to resolve the problem. If the violator does not act, EVN will be in co-operation with local authorities to remove the lines. EVN will seal off the new cables at the beginning and middle of the month.
From January 15-February 15, Ha Noi’s People’s Committee began arranging phone cables in Hoan Kiem District, of which Ha Noi Power company is the main investor on five streets including Quang Trung, Tran Nhan Tong, Hang Bong-Hang Gai, Thuy Khue, Hoang Hoa Tham. Hoan Kiem District’s People Committee is responsible for Hang Bac street.
"We are using Hoan Kiem District as a pilot-project for inspections. With clear and detailed guidance to enterprises, DIC hopes that by the end of February, there will be no outstanding violations in Hoan Kiem District," said Nguyen Van Minh, head of inspection office from DIC.
However, it may take longer to put the cables underground because there are too many telephone, cable lines, claims an official from the Ha Noi Power company. Burying cables underground will only be rapidly completed if communications and cable enterprises work closely together on the project.