Ministry of Industry and Trade will handle VTVcab for not notifying the cutting of 23 channels.

According to information from the Department of Competition and Consumer Protection (Ministry of Industry and Trade), the Department has received many reports and complaints from consumers about the Vietnam Cable Television Corporation (VTVcab) suddenly cutting off a series of pay TV channels without prior notice to consumers.

Based on the results of working with VTVcab on April 12, 2018, the Department of Competition and Consumer Protection said: VTVcab has announced adjustments, arrangements, and changes to TV channels on mass media (website, text running on many VTVcab channels, VTV, electronic newspapers...) since March 23, 2018.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade will handle VTVcab for not notifying the cutting of 23 channels.

However, details about the 23 cut TV channels (HBO, Cinemax, FoxSport1, FoxSport2, AXN, RED, CNN, BBC, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel...) have not been announced in advance and clearly and specifically to consumers by VTVcab according to the methods specified in the Service Provision Contract.

Regarding this issue, the Department of Competition and Consumer Protection will handle it in accordance with the provisions of the law on consumer rights protection, and at the same time request VTVcab to seriously implement the provisions of the law on consumer rights protection in the coming time, especially the responsibility to provide complete, clear, timely and accurate information to consumers related to VTVcab's products.

According to Clause 2, Article 3 of Decree 99/2011/ND-CP of the Government detailing the implementation of the Law on Consumer Protection, the Pay TV Service Contract is a type of continuous service provision contract.

If consumers want to terminate the contract with VTVCab, they can follow the instructions in Clause 5.4, Article 5, Model Contract and only have to pay fees and prices for the services they have used according to Clause 3, Article 18, Decree 99/2011/ND-CP.

To meet consumer demand, VTVCab will initially advise, guide and persuade consumers to continue experiencing new TV channels until April 30, 2018.

After this time, if the consumer requests to stop using the service, VTVcab will respond as follows: Refund the amount of 1-2 months of trial use; Refund the entire amount the consumer has paid in advance after deducting the amount used;

Refund the amount of equipment installed that the consumer has paid (refund value according to the invoice and documents provided by the consumer) and VTVcab will only take back the equipment that VTVcab has provided free of charge to the consumer.

VTVCab will terminate the service contract after fulfilling all obligations to consumers. In case of needing advice or support, consumers can contact VTVcab's hotline 1900 1515 or the consumer advice hotline of the Department of Competition and Consumer Protection (free) 1800 - 6838, email:[email protected].