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Hong Kong launches spectrum policy consultation

from "Views sought on spectrum allocation," Hong Kong Information Services Department, 30 October, in English:

"Spectrum is an important resource used for the provision of a wide range of services from telecommunications, broadcasting to meteorology and aviation. The use of spectrum in Hong Kong has always been managed by the Government primarily to promote efficient allocation and to prevent one spectrum user from causing unacceptable interference to another.

"With the rapid advancements in radiocommunications technologies and dynamic market developments, it is increasingly difficult for the Government to possess all the relevant information, particularly market information, needed to make judgements on what is best for the community.

"In recent years, some overseas advanced economies have moved away from the 'command and control' approach towards market-based arrangements for spectrum management. Furthermore, the industry in Hong Kong has expressed a wish for more clarity and predictability in spectrum rights and supply to enable them to make better-informed investment decisions.

"With the above considerations in mind, we undertook a fundamental review of the current spectrum policy. [See Final Report - Spectrum Policy Review, Ovum/Indepen/Aegis, 2006]. The aim is to formulate a responsive and transparent spectrum policy that enables the community to reap the maximum economic benefits from the deployment of spectrum. Today [25 October], we will be launching a public consultation on the proposals for the policy framework.

"Under our proposals, the policy objectives for spectrum and the guiding principles for spectrum management would be more clearly articulated... Market-based approaches should generally be used for spectrum management. Another policy objective proposed in the consultation paper is to encourage maximum utilisation of the allocated spectrum. Spectrum management mechanism should also become more transparent in respect of spectrum supply and rights. So we will mention spectrum trading as an area for further study...

"We welcome views from you and the public in the coming three months on the proposals in the consultation document which we will upload to our website this afternoon. Our aim is to put in place a spectrum policy which is on par with best international practices, and attuned to the unique situation of Hong Kong...."

"This is excerpted from an address Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology Joseph Wong gave at the opening ceremony of the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia Convention 2006."
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Note that while the consultants' report discussed license exemption and technological developments supporting it, the consultation paper says the issue of "spectrum rights for non-licensees" does not need to be addressed at this time.

[Spectrum Policy: 30 October 2006]