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Following is a question by the Hon Tam Yiu-Chung and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, in the Legislative Council today (June 3):
Question:
Some members of the public have relayed to me that the signals of the local mobile phone networks (local networks) are weak at a number of tourist attractions on Lantau Island such as Ngong Ping, Tai O and Cheung Sha, and their mobile phones at these locations are often connected to the networks on the Mainland (mainland networks). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether in the past three years it had tested the strength of local network signals at the tourist attractions on Lantau Island; if so, of the test results and the locations which were confirmed to be outside the coverage of the local networks;
(b) why mobile phones at the aforesaid tourist attractions are often connected to mainland networks; and
(c) what measures are in place to further improve the quality of local networks, in particular the reception of signals at the tourist attractions on Lantau Island, so as to safeguard the interests of consumers and preserve the reputation of the telecommunications industry in Hong Kong?
Reply:
President,
At present, there are more than 22,000 base stations installed in Hong Kong, providing coverage of mobile services to customers, among which some 930 base stations are installed on Lantau Island alone.
Our reply to the specific questions is as follows:
(a) The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) conducts tests of radio signals where necessary to assess the latest situation of mobile coverage. Results of the latest test revealed that there is good coverage of the mobile services at Ngong Ping and Tai O.
However, the service is less satisfactory at Cheung Sha. As the mobile network operators have yet to obtain consent from the local residents, they could not acquire appropriate sites at Cheung Sha Sheung Tsuen and San Shek Wan for setting up base stations. Nonetheless, the mobile network operators are seeking to improve the service there and actively looking for other alternatives, such as the use of public facilities in the vicinity for setting up base stations. A number of applications for the use of these facilities are already in the pipeline.
(b) With the inherent propagation characteristics of radio waves, as well as the close proximity of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Zhuhai, it is inevitable that the coverage of the mobile networks of Hong Kong and the Mainland overlaps in certain locations, especially along the border. Moreover, the situation of overspill signals cannot be avoided completely.
We have taken measures to conduct joint measurements regularly with the Mainland authorities and the mobile network operators along the border and in remote areas in order to monitor the overspill signals and will take appropriate follow-up actions. Users situated near the border or in remote areas are suggested to check the display of their mobile phone first before they make or answer a call. If their mobile phone indicates that they are connected to a Mainland network, users could select their Hong Kong's network by "manual network selection". As an alternative, they may also deactivate roaming service temporarily.
(c) The Government has been encouraging mobile network operators to improve their service coverage in country parks and remote areas. To this end, the Government has introduced a number of measures to facilitate the installation of base stations in country parks and remote areas, including allowing the use of existing Government hilltop sites, subletting Government land at nominal rental and assigning additional radio spectrum at no charge. Following the recent completion of base stations in Shek Pik and Nga Ying Shan, the mobile service coverage in the south-western part of Lautau Island has improved considerably. The mobile network operators are willing to expand the scope of mobile coverage to improve their services to their clients if it is supported by the local residents.
Ends/Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Issued at HKT 13:03
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