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The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) today (October 8) released the latest figures, which update the progress of local fixed carriers in rolling out their customer access networks. The number of households covered by at least two self-built customer access networks increased to 76% of the total number of households in Hong Kong.
"We are pleased to see the continual investment made by fixed carriers in rolling out their networks. Out of the total of 2.47 million households in Hong Kong, 1.88 million households are provided with at least two customer access networks and 1.26 million households are provided with at least three customer access networks. The figures represent 76% and 51% for two-network and three-network coverage of total households respectively. The corresponding figures 12 months ago were 71% and 43%," the spokesman of OFTA said.
In terms of the number of buildings, a total of 9,563 residential buildings (7,838 published in September 2005) have a choice of at least two customer access networks and a total of 3,528 residential buildings (2,761 published in September 2005) have a choice of at least three customer access networks.
"The initiative taken by the fixed carriers in rolling their networks has enabled consumers to enjoy more choices of telecommunications services. Effective market competition is always the best way to ensure good quality of service and the provision of innovative services for consumers' choices," the spokesman said.
The operators have been actively rolling out their networks since the announcement of the progressive withdrawal of the mandatory Type-II interconnection policy by end-June 2008. The availability of choices of quality services at affordable price to the consumers testifies the success of the facility-based competition policy which the Government has adopted in deregulating the telecommunications market.
Ends/Sunday, October 8, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:00
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