Regulations on issuance of invoices and payment of telecommunications service charges in Vietnam

Regulations on issuance of invoices and payment of telecommunications service charges in Vietnam (Internet image)

Regulations on issuance of invoices and payment of telecommunications service charges in Vietnam

According to Law on Telecommunication 2023, telecommunication services include basic telecommunication services and value-added telecommunication services:

- Basic telecommunication services are services for sending, transmitting, and receiving information between two persons or a group of persons using telecommunication services, between terminal devices via the telecommunication network;

- Value-added telecommunication services are services that provide additional features for processing, storing, and retrieving information for users through the sending, transmitting, and receiving of information over the telecommunication network.

The issuance of invoices and payment of telecommunications service charges in Vietnam are executed according to the provisions of Article 60 Law on Telecommunication 2023. Specifically:

- Telecommunication enterprises are responsible for issuing accurate, complete, and prompt invoices for the use of telecommunication services by users using postpaid methods. Users of telecommunication services are responsible for promptly and fully paying for the costs associated with the use of telecommunication services as provided by the telecommunication enterprises in the issued invoices.

- Telecommunication enterprises are responsible for accurately deducting the amount to be paid for telecommunication services by users based on the established prices for prepaid services.

- The invoice for telecommunication service usage must comply with legal regulations and must clearly and accurately detail the following:

+ Unit price of the service and the amount to be paid for each type of telecommunication service;

+ Total amount to be paid;

+ Value-added tax (if any).

- Telecommunication enterprises are responsible for providing technical measures to support users and competent state authorities in querying real-time information about deductions for telecommunication service usage, prioritizing online methods. In cases where monthly invoicing is conducted based on contract, telecommunication enterprises are responsible for providing or outsourcing other organizations to provide, free of charge, detailed information about telecommunication service usage upon user request.

Principles of management and regulation of telecommunications service prices in Vietnam

- Ensure that production and business costs for telecommunication services are covered, and that these costs are within the payment capability of telecommunication service users for services listed in the Catalogue of goods and services priced by the State.

- Harmonize the interests of the State, the legitimate rights and benefits of telecommunication enterprises, and telecommunication service users.

- Review the factors forming the price to adjust the telecommunication service prices when necessary. The adjustment of telecommunication service prices must comply with the pricing bases stipulated in Article 58 Law on Telecommunication 2023.

- Respect the telecommunication enterprises' right to price determination and competition regarding telecommunication service prices.

- Comply with international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member.

- Ensure a competitive environment in telecommunication activities.

- Equality and non-discrimination in the management and regulation of telecommunication service prices.

- Do not utilize profits from this telecommunication service business to support the business of other telecommunication services of the same enterprise.

Tran Trong Tin

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