Over 50% of BTS stations operate without a license.

In recent years, telecommunications companies have increased the installation of mobile base transceiver stations (BTS stations) to expand their scale and meet customer demand. However, it is noteworthy that a significant number of BTS stations have been installed and put into operation without proper permits (the majority being type 2 stations in suburban areas).

Decision No. 119 of the Provincial People's Committee dated December 24, 2009, clearly stipulated that the authority to grant construction permits for Type 1 BTS stations belongs to the Department of Construction, and Type 2 belongs to the People's Committees of the districts. However, in reality, many telecommunications companies do not go through the procedures of applying for construction permits or approval of BTS station installation locations, but instead bypass the process by contracting with wards or communes, or negotiating with families to rent land and erect poles.

Because they have profits to make, the wards and communes do not report.Therefore, the People's Committees of districts and towns are almost unaware of the number of illegally installed BTS stations in their areas. According to the results of an inspection team at the end of 2010, there were approximately 903 locations where BTS stations were installed without permits or location approvals. Currently, out of 2325 BTS stations installed in the area, only less than 50% have been granted permits. In some cases, a unit has as many as 1600 BTS stations, but only 2 have been granted permits, and fewer than 300 have applied for location approvals...

According to Joint Circular 12 of the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Information and Communications, before constructing a BTS station, a survey and inspection of the structural components, natural conditions, and climate must be conducted to determine the installation location of the antenna tower and auxiliary equipment. Therefore, not only are people worried about the safety and stability of unlicensed BTS stations, but the People's Committees of districts, cities, and towns are also facing difficulties in management.

KL