The Measures for Administration of International Communications Gateway Facilities were issued by the Ministry of the Information Industry on June 26, 2002 and will come into force on October 1, 2002.
The Measures state that "international communications gateway facilities" can be divided into international communications channel gateways, international communications service gateways and border area international communications gateways.
"International communications channel gateways" are defined to mean the transfer points between domestic communications transmission channels and international communications transmission channels. "International communications service gateways" are defined to mean service transfer points between domestic communications service networks and international communications service networks.
The Measures provide that the establishment of international communications gateways must be applied for by wholly state-owned telecommunications service providers. Such providers must also undertake operation and maintenance of the international communications gateways.
No unit or individual may establish an international communications gateway in any form without the approval of the Ministry of the Information Industry.
The provision of international communications services in China must be carried out through an international communications gateway established with the approval of the Ministry of the Information Industry. No organization or individual may carry out international communications through the use of other channels.
