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The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) today (April 12) reminded the members of the public that the licensing exemption for the Personal Handy Phone System (PHS) radiocommunications apparatus operating in the 1895-1906.1 MHz band will be fully withdrawn from May 10, 2016.
"The PHS is a short and medium-range mobile radiocommunications technology developed in Japan and introduced into Hong Kong mainly for use as cordless telephones back in 1997. However, its deployment in Hong Kong has not been successful and such PHS-based products have not been available for sale in the local market for quite some time. In order to vacate and deploy the radio spectrum in a more effective manner for provision of other services, the Communications Authority announced in April 2013 its decision to withdraw the licence exemption for PHS apparatus. Members of the public were given a three-year grace period, until May 9, 2016, to continue to use their PHS apparatus. A series of publicity activities have been arranged by the OFCA since 2013 in the run up to May 2016 to inform the public of the arrangements for the withdrawal of the PHS licensing exemption," a spokesman for OFCA said.
"With effect from May 10, 2016, the day when the licence exemption for PHS apparatus is withdrawn, no person shall possess or use any PHS apparatus in Hong Kong. Any person who contravenes the provision shall be liable to a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and imprisonment for two years upon conviction," the spokesman added.
Members of public who wish to obtain relevant information or find out whether the cordless telephone or other radiocommunications apparatus that they are using is a PHS may visit OFCA's website at www.ofca.gov.hk/en/consumer_focus/education_corner/alerts/radiocomm/phs/index.html or call OFCA's hotline at 2961 6333.
Ends/Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Issued at HKT 15:32
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