A girl sends an SMS. A new regulation requires mobile operators in Viet Nam to ensure at least 92 per cent success rate for short messaging services (SMS) with delivery time not exceeding 20 seconds. — VNS Photo Doan Tung

HA NOI (Biz Hub) — A new regulation requires mobile operators in Viet Nam to ensure at least 92 per cent success rate for short messaging services (SMS) with delivery time not exceeding 20 seconds.

The regulation from the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC), in a circular titled "The National technical specification requirement for mobile short message service (SMS)," will be effective from January 15, 2015.

MIC said the regulation will force mobile operators to enhance the network quality, especially text messaging, one of the most important services beside calls and third generation network (3G).

Meanwhile, the new rule will help mobile phone subscribers to supervise the service quality provided by operators. Mobile subscribers can report the quality of services to MIC.

Mobile operators in Viet Nam are said to provide unsatisfactory service, especially during the holidays, when call and SMS congestion occurs.

According to the GSM Association (GSMA), an international association of mobile operators devoted to supporting the standardising, deployment and promotion of the GSM mobile telephone system, the standard message-sent success rate should be at least 90 per cent.

Sending errors are caused by various factors such as mobile phones not being in a network area or being switched-off, or if they run out of battery.

Errors by mobile operators include sending bulk messages or hardware or software deficiencies. — VNS