MIIT Releases Telecoms Service Catalog
On December 28, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) released the final version of its new Telecommunications Services Classification Catalog (2015 Edition)(hereinafter referred to as the Catalog), which will go into effect March 1, 2016.
The revised catalog, which sets market access, joint-venture and licensing requirements for various types of telecom and Internet business activities, replaces a much earlier version published in 2003.
A newer draft of the revision, which includesnumerous emerging ICT services, such as cloud computing, internet data center services and content distribution network services, was released for comment in spring of 2013.
Compared to the 2013 draft, the 2015 version includes significant revisions, including a much more expansive categorization of internet data centers that encompasses cloud computing (PaaS and IaaS). The 2015 version also includes greater segmentation of categories, for example the addition of "wired access facility services" under the "network access facility services" category.
Much of the detailed licensing information is expected to be included in a forthcoming set of Implementation Measures that are being drafted by MIIT. TheImplementation Measures are expected to be finalized and released before the March 1 implementation date.
USITO has produced unofficial translations of the 2015 Catalog and a Q&A Document that was published on the official MIIT website, available here.
