Sina Technology News, February 6th morning report: Last Friday, the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation held a meeting with China Unicom (Weibo) and other units that provide internet map services without proper qualifications. The administration required these units to apply for qualifications before the end of the month; otherwise, legal action will be taken. This is also the first time that the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation has managed the internet map industry in this way.
According to a notice previously issued by the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation, starting from February 1st, all units that have not applied for internet map service qualifications are prohibited from providing such services. For those who continue to operate without qualifications, the relevant administrative departments of surveying, mapping, and geoinformation will hold meetings with them, expose them publicly, and impose penalties ranging from a deadline for rectification to shutdowns according to law.
Last Friday, the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation already held talks with unqualified internet map service providers such as China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd. and Luker.com. Relevant officials informed the involved parties about relevant policies and required them to apply for qualifications before February 29th; otherwise, the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation will take legal actions.
It was revealed that both parties indicated they would prepare application materials according to the requirements for internet map service qualifications and submit applications within the specified period.
This is also the first time that the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation has managed the industry through talks, similar to Huangming Solar Energy cases.
From April to June last year, the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation publicly exposed 65 websites that were still providing internet map services without applying for the necessary qualifications. By the end of 2011, out of the 65 exposed websites, 13 had obtained the necessary qualifications; 8 had transferred their map services to qualified entities; 37 had closed their websites or ceased operations. The authorities are currently investigating the remaining 7 websites that are still operational without qualifications.
Official data shows that by January 31, 2012, there were 151 units nationwide that had obtained Class A internet map service qualifications, and 128 units that had obtained Class B qualifications. Based on this, the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation announced that it has basically completed the issuance of qualifications for known internet map service units.
Regarding the public's concern about Google Maps, the National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation disclosed last Wednesday that Gu Xiang, Google's joint venture in China, submitted an application for qualifications in November last year, which is still under review. Currently, Google Maps services can continue as usual. According to regulations, internet map service qualification holders cannot provide links to overseas internet map services.
(Meng Hong)
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