Sohu.com (SOHU)

Internet Access Services

In early 2002, we established Hengda, a PRC company that is currently owned by two of our employees. Hengda is structured as an Internet service provider, or ISP, to provide public Internet access services.

The Telecom Regulations define the ISP business as a value-added telecommunications service (as described in the “Telecommunications” section above). In addition to meeting the conditions outlined above with regard to the use of international connections for computer information networks, PRC entities must obtain licenses from the MII (or its local branch) in accordance with the Telecom License Measures before starting business operations as an ISP. On February 7, 2002, the Beijing AIC issued a business license with a 50-year validity term to Hengda. On March 19, 2002, Hengda received an ISP license, valid for five years, from the Beijing Administration Bureau. On October 22, 2002, the MII issued a license with a 5-year validity term to Hengda allowing it to operate as an ISP in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

In accordance with the Provisional Measures for the Administration of Telecommunications Network Code Resources, promulgated on April 12, 2000 by the MII, businesses that wish to use short access codes (i.e., telephone numbers that are shorter in length than a normal local telephone number) for intra-provincial telecom and information services must apply to the relevant local telecom authority. On May 30, 2002 the BTA authorized Hengda to use a five-digit phone number to provide access to its services in Beijing, and on October 22, 2002, the MII authorized Hengda to use a five digit phone number to provide access to its services in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.