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Hong Kong continues to be in the forefront among telecommunications markets worldwide, according to the performance report published by the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) today (October 12).
The report compares Hong Kongˇ¦s performance in four telecommunications sectors (local fixed voice services, mobile services, broadband services and data services) with that of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) economies and Singapore. Studies with a similar objective were undertaken in 2003 and 2005.
The study reveals that, compared with the OECD economies and Singapore, the take-up of fixed voice services, mobile services, broadband services and data services in Hong Kong is in the top tier. At the same time, telecommunications services in Hong Kong are among the least expensive. Prices for telecommunications services in Hong Kong are across the board significantly lower than those in most advanced economies.
ˇ§We are pleased to see that the telecommunications market of Hong Kong continues to have such a good performance. The result of the study clearly shows that quality telecommunications services are extensively available to the public at affordable prices,ˇ¨ a spokesperson for OFTA said.
ˇ§With the rapid roll-out of fibre networks, the penetration rate of the fibre network of Hong Kong ranks only second to South Korea. The continued development in telecommunications infrastructure would equip Hong Kong with the capability to meet the demand for high quality telecommunications services in the future,ˇ¨ the spokesperson continued.
Background
The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) has completed a study of the performance of the Hong Kong telecommunications market. The purpose was to review the relative performance of Hong Kong across four telecommunications sectors (local fixed voice services, mobile services, broadband services and data services) and benchmark it against other advanced economies. Studies with a similar objective were undertaken in 2003 and 2005.
The report of the study can be downloaded from OFTA's website at www.ofta.gov.hk/en/report-paper-guide/report/rp20081012.pdf
Ends/Sunday, October 12, 2008
Issued at HKT 11:00
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