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Following is the full text of the speech by the Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, Mr Kwong Ki-chi, at a ceremony for the launching of CNN news on PowerPhone today (Thursday):
Mrs Tsang, Mr Lazar, ladies and gentlemen:
I am delighted to be with you today to witness an exciting new addition to the services provided to our community through the imaginative use of our world class telecommunication network.
There are certain aspects of this service that I should highlight.
First, PowerPhone is an innovative interactive public telephone service in Hong Kong introduced by one of the new entrants into the fixed telecommunication field. I am almost certain that, without the opening up of the fixed telecommunication market three years ago, we will not be seeing this innovative service today.
The interactive touch screens of these public telephones provide not just a ready means for the dissemination of multimedia information to the customers. They also provide facilities for electronic transactions, such as E-mail and faxes for those on the move. It should be evident to those who have used these phones that the potential for their expansion into other electronic businesses is enormous.
This brings me to my second point. The technology behind PowerPhone is essentially a local development. Its successful application to create a new business niche is a testimony to both the creativity and the technological sophistication of Hong Kong people.
Thirdly, the joint licensing arrangement with an international news agency to provide up-to-date information on what is happening around the globe is a clear demonstration that we are an integral part of the global village.
If we wish to maintain our competitive edge in this global village, we must make every effort to develop innovative business applications on our excellent telecommunications platform. And, all of us - Government, business and industry, academia and IT professionals - must work closely together so that we can successfully meet the challenges of the Information Age.
Thank you.
End/Thursday, July 16, 1998
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