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    Following is a question by the Hon Sin Chung-kai and a written reply by the Secretary for Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr John Tsang, in the Legislative Council today (June 22):

Question:

    In connection with the mobile network operators (MNOs) entering government buildings or lands for installing telecommunications transmission equipment, such as base stations and antennas, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)  of the application procedure, approving department(s) and criteria, and average time taken for processing the application;

(b)  of the total numbers of government buildings and lands where MNOs' telecommunications transmission equipment has been placed; and

(c)  whether there are new initiatives to facilitate MNOs' installing telecommunications transmission equipment; if so, of the details?


Reply:

Madam President,

(a)  Mobile network operators who wish to set up radio base stations on government properties are required to apply to the Government Property Agency (GPA). Their applications will be processed in accordance with the streamlined procedures under which the GPA will coordinate the comments of the relevant departments, including the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Architectural Services Department, Planning Department, Lands Department, Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA), and the user departments of the property concerned. The objective is to ensure that the proposed radio base stations will not adversely affect the property or its users. Each of the departments will evaluate the application according to their areas of responsibilities and established criteria. For instance, OFTA will assess if the design of the proposed radio base stations complies with the safety standards on non-ionising radiation. Normally it will take one to two months for the GPA to collect views from the departments and make a decision on an application. The process may take longer if the operators have to amend their proposals in order to meet the requirements of individual departments.

(b)  As of June 2005, there are 90 government buildings where radio base stations of mobile networks have been established. These cover several government offices buildings, municipal services complex, swimming pools, stadium and car park buildings. As for the number of government lands similarly used, accurate statistics are not available. It is estimated, however, that there should not be fewer than 20 pieces in total.

(c)  To facilitate the mobile network operators to set up radio base stations on rooftops, OFTA has listened to the views of the industry and worked closely with the Buildings Department to streamline the related application procedures. We intend to relax the installation and construction requirements (including antenna loading and size of base station), where radio base stations could be classified as minor works under the Minor Works Control Regime (MWCR) provided in the Buildings Ordinance. Under the proposed MWCR, depending on the nature and scale of the works, applicants may appoint a registered contractor to carry out minor works without making prior application to the Buildings Department through an Authorised Person and a Registered Structural Engineer. Documents may be filed with the Buildings Department for record after the works are completed by the registered contractors.

    OFTA and the Buildings Department have consulted the mobile network operators and obtained their support for the proposal. As such, the Administration will submit the legislative proposal of the MWCR for consideration of the Legislative Council in due course. We believe that the new arrangement, if implemented, will greatly simplify the statutory procedure for mobile network operators to set up radio base stations and antennas on rooftops of buildings, and in turn, shorten the time required for installation of such equipment.

Ends/Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:15

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