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LCQ16: Digital Terrestrial Television broadcasting
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     Following is a question by the Hon Kam Nai-wai and a written reply by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mrs Rita Lau, in the Legislative Council today (January 20):
 
Question:

     Regarding the progress of the implementation of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) broadcasting, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the major areas not covered by DTT broadcasting on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories respectively as at the end of 2009, and the reasons for those areas not being covered; when the target of full DTT coverage in Hong Kong will be achieved:

(b) of the number of households using DTT service and the penetration rate of DTT in each of the past three years;

(c) given that the authorities have specified in the implementation framework for DTT broadcasting published in July 2004 that the Government's target was to cease analogue broadcasting within five years after commencement of simulcast, whether it is still the Government's plan to cease analogue broadcasting by the end of 2012 (i.e. the fifth year after commencement of simulcast), resulting in people not being able to watch free analogue television channels currently available;

(d) whether it will consider retaining analogue broadcasting after 2012 and continuing with the current simulcast arrangement for analogue and DTT broadcasting; if it will, what impact such an arrangement will have on the Government, as well as of the resultant economic losses; and

(e) given that there have been reports that many salespersons claimed that the Government would cease analogue broadcasting, and deceived the residents in public and private housing estates that they must purchase the DTT receivers sold by them at high prices in order to continue to receive local free television broadcasting, resulting in such residents suffering from financial losses, whether the Government will step up publicity work in the future, so as to prevent people from being deceived and misled by such sales activities?

Reply:

President,

     Since the launch of DTT services in Hong Kong on December 31, 2007, the much improved audio-visual experience brought by DTT has been well-received by the viewing public. The DTT take-up rate has been growing steadily. The two domestic free television programme service licensees, i.e. Asia Television Limited (ATV) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), have also been making good progress in expanding their DTT coverage in phases.

     Turning to the various parts of this question, my responses are as follows:

(a) The DTT coverage has been extended to about 85% of the population by the end of 2009. Areas which are yet to be fully covered by DTT services include:

                        Areas yet to be covered by
                         DTT services
                        --------------------------
Hong Kong               Stanley, Red Hill Peninsula,
Island                  Shek O, Cape D¡ŠAguilar, etc.

The New Territories     Shap Pat Heung, Mong Tseng Wai,
and the outlying        Shan Tsui, Yim Liu Ha,
islands                 Ping Che, Tai Lam Chung,
                        Ngau Tam Mei, Ying Pun,
                        Tai Po Tsai, Luk Keng,
                        Sha Tau Kok, Kwan Tei,
                        Hong Lok Yuen, Shui Pin Tsuen,
                        Shek Kong, Mui Wo,
                        Tong Fuk, Tai O, etc.

     The construction of the DTT network in Hong Kong is being carried out in phases. Our present goal is to extend the DTT coverage throughout Hong Kong by 2012 at which time, the DTT coverage will be on a par with that of the current analogue TV broadcasting.

(b) According to a public survey conducted in December 2009, about 46.5% of the families in Hong Kong (representing some 1,060,000 households) receive DTT services. The penetration rate has shown a growth of more than 40% as compared with 32.2% (representing at that time some 720,000 households) by the end of 2008.

(c) The existing free-to-air TV service is a major source of information and entertainment for the general public in Hong Kong. The Government will carefully consider the question of analogue switch-off and will make appropriate arrangements for the public so as to ensure a smooth migration from analogue television to DTT. The target of switching off analogue TV service by 2012 is still being used for planning purposes. However, the Government will take into account the future market situation, including the take-up rate of DTT services, before making a final decision on the switch-off. Sufficient preparation will be made in all aspects to ensure public awareness before the analogue switch-off is to be implemented. At the current stage, analogue switch-off will not be considered.

(d) The retention of analogue broadcasting as well as the simulcast of analogue and digital terrestrial TV broadcasting requires comprehensive and in-depth planning and consideration, including the economic benefit of the use of the spectrum to be released from analogue switch-off. It is currently not the appropriate timing to give such consideration.

(e) The Government is very concerned about the undesirable sales activities of digital TV set-top boxes. Not only have consumer alerts been posted on the website of the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) and the digital television website, but publicity has also been enhanced to increase consumer awareness. Announcements in the public interest are broadcast regularly via radio stations to alert the consumers. Publicity has been carried out in co-operation with the Consumer Council (CC) by issuing consumer alerts through the Choice magazine and via the phone-in radio programme "Smart Consumer" of RTHK. Simulated deception cases related to high-definition TV set-top box have been shown in the "Police Magazine" programme on television to raise consumers' awareness. In addition to this publicity, we have produced promotional leaflets focusing on these undesirable sales activities in collaboration with the CC for distribution to the public shortly at the estate offices of all public housing estates, elderly district centres, the Public Enquiry Service Centres of District Offices, consumer advice centres of the CC, public libraries as well as electronic product retail shops. At the same time, the Police have taken enforcement action against these illicit sales activities. Between January to October 2009, the Police handled a total of 84 cases and 24 suspects were arrested. In November 2009, one of the arrested persons was convicted and sentenced to eight-month imprisonment.

Ends/Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:25

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