Help | Sitemap | Archive | Advanced Search   
  CHINA
  BUSINESS
  OPINION
  WORLD
  SCI-EDU
  SPORTS
  LIFE
  WAP SERVICE
  FEATURES
  PHOTO GALLERY

Message Board
Feedback
Voice of Readers
 China At a Glance
 Constitution of the PRC
 CPC and State Organs
 Chinese President Jiang Zemin
 White Papers of Chinese Government
 Selected Works of Deng Xiaoping
 English Websites in China
Help
About Us
SiteMap
Employment

U.S. Mirror
Japan Mirror
Tech-Net Mirror
Edu-Net Mirror
 
Tuesday, October 16, 2001, updated at 23:35(GMT+8)
Business  

HK Launches Consultation on Full Liberalization of Local FTNS Market

The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) of Hong Kong Tuesday published a consultation paper to invite comments on the implementation issues of the licensing of additional local fixed wireline-based networks for operation from January 1, 2003.

"We are committed to the progressive liberalization policy for our telecommunications market," said Anthony S K Wong, director-general of telecommunications, in publishing the paper "Implementation of the Full Liberalization of the Local Fixed Telecommunications Network Services (FTNS) Market from January 1, 2003."

"As announced in May 1999, the moratorium on the issue of further local fixed network licenses for the construction and operation of new local fixed wireline-based networks will end on December 31, 2002. To press on with our commitment, we would invite new applications in 2001," he said.

The government's well established principle is that there would be no pre-set limit of number of licenses except for physical constraints such as scarcity of spectrum.

Accordingly, the government will not impose any pre-set limit on the number of licenses for the operation of additional fixed wireline-based networks. However, applicants must submit evidence on their financial capabilities to ensure that they will fulfill their submitted plans.

"In line with our transparent and fair regulatory regime, we would like to seek input from the industry and interested parties on the implementation issues before finalizing the rules for invitation of applications by end this year," continued Wong.

In the consultation paper, the OFTA invites comments on the measures to facilitate the roll-out of new local fixed wireline-based network licensees as soon as practicable, the arrangement for granting authorizations under section 14(1) of the Telecommunications Ordinance to the new licensees for the access to space in buildings and for road opening, and the arrangements for existing local wireless fixed network and external facilities operators to operate new local fixed wireline-based networks.

This should attract more investment in network infrastructure, which would in turn further strengthen Hong Kong's competitiveness as a regional telecommunications and Internet hub, concluded Wong.

The consultation will last four weeks until November 13, 2001.







In This Section
 

The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) of Hong Kong Tuesday published a consultation paper to invite comments on the implementation issues of the licensing of additional local fixed wireline-based networks for operation from January 1, 2003.

Advanced Search


 


 


Copyright by People's Daily Online, all rights reserved