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The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) advises consumers to look for the OFTA label when buying short-range walkie-talkies. This is to ensure that the equipment is in compliance with the technical specifications prescribed by OFTA.

"Following the enactment of the revised Telecommunications (Telecommunications Apparatus) (Exemption from Licensing) Order in February 2003, the public is now free to use the short-range walkie-talkies, operating within the frequency bands of 409.74 - 410 MHz, without the need to obtain licences. Various models of short-range walkie-talkies can now be found in the market. However, some models may not be in compliance with OFTA's technical specifications," a spokesman for OFTA said.

"As short-range walkie-talkies are becoming more and more popular, in order to avoid buying walkie-talkies that do not meet OFTA's technical requirements, it is advisable for consumers to look for the OFTA label when they buy the equipment," the spokesman said.

Under the existing regulatory regime, only certified telecommunications products are authorised to carry the OFTA label.

"Alternatively, consumers may check with OFTA's website (www.ofta.gov.hk) for the list of certified telecommunications equipment. The list is updated regularly to inform the public about the newly approved models," the spokesman said.

Under the Telecommunications Ordinance, possession and use of telecommunications equipment not meeting the prescribed technical requirements are subject to a maximum penalty of a $50,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.

"There are unlicensed shops selling non-exempted short-range walkie-talkies to consumers. OFTA closely monitors the market situation through regular inspections and patrols and takes enforcement action against such illegal sales.

"During Year 2003, OFTA conducted more than 150 patrols and inspections covering over 500 shops. Two raiding operations were mounted against those unlicensed shops which had been suspected of selling non-exempted short-range walkie-talkies, during which around 240 non-exempted short-range walkie-talkies were seized and three prosecution cases are being processed," the spokesman said.

"For licensed shops selling non-exempted short-range walkie-talkies, under licence conditions, they must clearly display a tag alongside the equipment indicating that these walkie-talkies are for export only. The public should not buy these walkie-talkies for use in Hong Kong," the spokesman said.

Generally, possession, use or sale of telecommunications apparatus is subject to licensing under the Telecommunications Ordinance. However, for certain consumer products such as cordless telephones and walkie-talkies, they are exempted from licensing requirements provided that the telecommunications apparatus in question meets the respective conditions given in the Order.

For easy identification, OFTA has introduced a certification labelling scheme. Equipment suppliers may apply for certification of the exempted equipment on a voluntary basis. They are authorised to affix the prescribed label to their certified telecommunications equipment to help the public identify equipment that is in compliance with the relevant technical specifications.

The OFTA label is shown below:

Ends/Sunday, February 15, 2004

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