Contents
Decision on Internet Café Service
Article 2 Internet café service
Article 4 Scope of application
Chapter 2: Types of and License Issuance for Internet Café Services
Article 5 Types of Internet café service
Article 6 License issuance for Internet café service
Article 7 Request for a new license
Article 8 Expiration date of a license
Article 9 Renewal of a license
Article 10 Change, suspension, or termination of a license
Article 11 Consideration for issuing a license
Article 12 Conditions for operating Internet café service
Article 13 Implementation of the business conditions
Chapter 3: Management and Inspection of Supplying Internet Café Service
Article 14 Authority for the Management and Inspection Internet Café Service
Article 16 Rights and obligations of Internet café service providers
Article 17 Rights and obligations of Internet café service users
Chapter 4: Service Fees and Charges
Article 18 Service fees and charges
Article 19 General prohibitions
Article 20 Prohibitions for management officials who manage Internet café services
Chapter 6 Awards for Good Performance and Measures against Violators
Article 21 Awards for Good Performance
Article 22 Measures against violators
Article 24 Disciplinary Measures
Article 26 Suspension or Dissolution
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity
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Ministry of Post | No.: 828/MPT. |
and Telecommunications | Vientiane Capital, 11 March 2015 |
on Internet Café Service
- Pursuant to the Law on Telecommunications (amended) No.: 09/NA, dated 21 December 2011.
- Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Decree on the Organization and Operation of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications No. 303/PM, dated 26 September 2011.
The Minister of Post and Telecommunications issues a Decision:
General Provisions
This Decision defines principles, regulations, and measures regarding the monitoring, inspection, and management of Internet café service to ensure service quality to be quick and safe aiming at promoting widely use of the Internet, contributing to national security and development.
Article 2 Internet café service
An Internet café service is a business providing internet access service to general users within a shop or a place that has Internet connection with an Internet service provider.
Terms used in this Decision have the following definitions:
Article 4 Scope of application
This Decision applies to individuals and legal entities who intend to conduct Internet café business in the Lao PDR.
Types of and License Issuance for Internet Café Services
Article 5 Types of Internet café service
There are two types of Internet café services:
1. Internet café service type 1
Refers to a business providing specifically internet access service such as Internet shops.
2. Internet café service type 2
Refers to a supply of internet access service to other businesses such as bars, night clubs, shopping malls, restaurants, guesthouses, hotels, hospitals, educational institutes, and other public places.
Article 6 License issuance for Internet café service
After receiving an enterprise registration, the Internet café service operating license shall be requested from Provincial/Vientiane Capital Division of Post and Telecommunications as stipulated in this Decision.
Article 7 Request for a new license
Individuals and legal entities who intend to request a business operating license for Internet café service shall submit the following documents:
Article 8 Expiration date of a license
Business operating licenses for Internet café service are valid for one year starting from the date of issuance.
Article 9 Renewal of a license
The renewal of a business operating license for Internet café service shall be submitted at least 30 days prior to the expiration date together with the following documents:
Article 10 Change, suspension, or termination of a license
Internet café service providers who intend to change, suspend, or terminate their licenses shall submit the following documents:
Article 11 Consideration for issuing a license
The consideration for issuing a license for Internet café service shall be completed within 10 working days starting from the day of receiving a request form.
In case documents submitted are incorrect or incomplete or do not meet conditions for approval, the requesters shall be informed within 5 working days.
Article 12 Conditions for operating Internet café service
Requesters for operating an Internet café service shall meet the following conditions:
Article 13 Implementation of the business conditions
Approved parties shall comply with the business operating conditions as stipulated in Article 12 within sixty days from the day of receiving approval.
Management and Inspection of Supplying Internet Café Service
Article 14 Authority for the Management and Inspection Internet Café Service
Provincial/Vientiane Capital Division of Post and Telecommunications manages and inspects Internet café service based on their rights and duties as stipulated in this Decision.
Article 15 Rights and duties of authority for the management and inspection of Internet café services
Provincial/Vientiane Capital Post and Telecommunications Divisions have the following duties on managing Internet café service:
Provincial/Vientiane Capital Post and Telecommunications Divisions have the following rights on managing Internet café service.
Article 16 Rights and obligations of Internet café service providers
Internet café service providers have the following obligations:
Internet café service providers have the following rights:
Article 17 Rights and obligations of Internet café service users
Internet café service users have the following obligations:
Internet café service users have the following rights:
Service Fees and Charges
Article 18 Service fees and charges
Service fees and charges for issuing a license for supplying each type of Internet café service shall be implemented as defined in the Presidential Ordinance on Service Fees and Charges promulgated in each period.
Prohibitions
Article 19 General prohibitions
Individuals, legal entities, or organizations are prohibited from:
Article 20 Prohibitions for management officials who manage Internet café services
Officials managing Internet café service are prohibited from:
Awards for Good Performance and Measures against Violators
Article 21 Awards for Good Performance
Individuals, legal entities, or organizations that have outstanding performance in the implementation of this Decision will receive awards or other policies in accordance with regulations.
Article 22 Measures against violators
Individuals, legal entities, and organizations that violate this Decision will be educated, fined, have their business license suspended or withdrawn or have civil or criminal punishment depending on the severity of violations including being liable for any damages incurred.
Individuals, legal entities, or organizations that violate this Decision will be educated and warned as following:
Article 24 Disciplinary Measures
Officials who manage Internet café service business that violate non-criminal prohibitions stipulated in this Decision and cause minor damages will be subject to the following disciplinary measures:
Those who are punished shall return all illegally acquired assets to the organization.
Individuals and legal entities that violate this Decision shall be fined as following:
Article 26 Suspension or Dissolution
Internet café service providers will be suspended or terminated in the following cases:
Final Provisions
Provincial/Vientiane Capital Post and Telecommunications Divisions are assigned to implement this Decision for good outcomes.
This Decision is effective from the date of signature and fifteen days after posting on the Lao Official Gazette.
This Decision replaces the Regulation No. 579/PMO.NAPT, dated 10 June 2009.
Minister
[Signature and seal]
Hiem
Name | Description | Status |
---|---|---|
Internet café bandwidth regulations | Internet cafés must provide WIFI at frequency of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz and limit signal strength to 0.05 watts. | Active |
Internet café business location requirements | Any person wishing to operate an Internet café business must maintain a space meeting the following criteria: 1. A suitable place, with a size of at least 2 square meters per computer; 2. The service room must be at least 8 meters squared; and 3. An adequate safety system. | Active |
Internet café establishment application requirements. | Any person wishing to operate the Internet café business submit the following documents to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications: 1. Application form; 2. Enterprise Registration Certificate; 3. Copy of ID card or family book; 4. Residence certificate; 5. Technical capacity certificate; 6. Copy of certificate of education in information technology; and 7. Copy of passport. | Active |
Internet café licensing requirements. | Internet cafe operators must obtain a business operation license from the relevant Post and Telecommunication Division at the provincial or Vientiane capital level. | Active |
Requirement to renew the Internet café business license | The license is valid for 1 year and must be renewed within 30 days prior its expiration | Active |
Service charge rate and regulation posting | Internet cafés must post the service charge rate and regulations so that they are visible to all customers. | Active |