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The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Office of Telecommunications Authority today (January 29) issued the second consultation paper to further solicit views from the public and the industry on its proposed implementation framework for the development of mobile television services in Hong Kong. The consultation exercise will last for three months until April 28.
"Mobile TV is a commercial video service for personal consumption on the move. Local broadcasting and telecommunications operators have indicated interest in rolling out mobile TV services. The consultation exercise aims to firm up the implementation framework which is expected to be announced in mid 2008, followed by necessary legislation. The Telecommunications Authority (TA) aims to auction the relevant frequency spectrum in early 2009," a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said.
The TA seeks to consult the public on the allocation of one multiplex in UHF Band and two multiplexes in Band III for deployment of broadcast-type (i.e., point-to-multipoint) mobile TV services in Hong Kong.
"For the allocation of the multiplexes, we propose to adopt a pro-mobile TV approach which specifically means that at least 50% of the transmission capacity should be used to carry mobile TV content, while the remaining capacity can be used for other ancillary services such as digital audio broadcasting, datacasting, " the spokesman said.
"We propose that the frequency spectrum should be assigned through auction, which is widely accepted as a fair and effective means for allocation of frequency spectrum, and is in line with the established Spectrum Policy Framework.
"Pre-qualification and rollout obligations should be required to safeguard effectiveness and efficiency in the assignment of the frequency spectrum. The spectrum utilisation fee should be determined by the auction process," the spokesman added.
As for the licensing arrangements, he said: "To foster the growth of mobile TV and having regard to international practices and the need to protect public morals and children, the Government proposes to adopt a light-handed approach for licensing and regulating content provided over the mobile TV platform.
"We seek views on two options: either to license and regulate mobile TV as a new category of television programme service through amendment to the Broadcasting Ordinance (Cap. 562), or to regulate mobile TV by general laws as it is now and to further require the industry to implement a code of practice for self-regulation."
Meanwhile, in the light of the scarcity of hilltop transmission sites, the Government takes the view that these facilities should be used efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of telecommunications, broadcasting, etc, including mobile TV. "On this basis, we propose that mobile TV services should provide the same geographical coverage as free-to-air broadcasters, " the spokesman said.
In a bid to promote investment, innovation and competition for the benefit of viewers and the communications sector, the Government launched at the end of January 2007 the first public consultation to solicit public views on the introduction and regulation of mobile TV services in Hong Kong, in particular on four specific areas: spectrum availability, spectrum allocation, spectrum assignment and licensing arrangements.
The spokesman noted that there was market interest in the launching of mobile TV services and a general consensus that the Government should continue to adopt a market-led, technology-neutral and facilitating approach in introducing new and innovative services into Hong Kong.
The second consultation paper is available at the website of the Communications and Technology Branch (CTB) of the Commerce and Economic Development (www.cedb.gov.hk/ctb). Views and comments should be sent to the CTB/OFTA: by email to mobiletv@cedb.gov.hk; by fax to 2511 1458; or by post to 2/F, Murray Building, Garden Road, Hong Kong by April 28, 2008.
Ends/Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:13
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