The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:
 
     This press release summarises the decisions of the Communications Authority (CA) following its 144th meeting held in July 2025.
 
CA approves renewal application for non-domestic television programme service (non-domestic TV) licence from WarnerMedia Asia Pacific (HK) Limited
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     The CA approved the application from WarnerMedia Asia Pacific (HK) Limited for renewal of its non-domestic TV licence for 12 years, from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2037 (both dates inclusive). Currently, there are nine non-domestic TV licensees providing around 150 satellite television programme channels for the Asia-Pacific region.
 
CA accepts commitments offered by China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited (CMHK) in relation to proposed acquisition of HKBN Ltd by CMHK
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     The CA announced today (August 1) its decision to accept the commitments offered by CMHK in relation to the proposed acquisition of HKBN Ltd by CMHK (Proposed Transaction), and not to commence an investigation under the Competition Ordinance (Cap. 619) (CO).
 
     CMHK announced the Proposed Transaction on December 2, 2024, which falls within the scope of the Merger Rule under the CO. After conducting a competition assessment of the Proposed Transaction, the CA identified a competition issue on fixed local access network that would likely arise from the Proposed Transaction, and communicated such concern to CMHK.
 
     In May 2025, CMHK offered a set of commitments to the CA to address the potential competition concern arising from the Proposed Transaction (Proposed Commitments). On May 29, 2025, the CA issued a notice inviting representations from the industry and interested parties regarding its intended acceptance of the Proposed Commitments. Among others, a concern about mobile backhauls was raised by the industry in their representations. In response, CMHK offered a set of revised commitments to the CA (Revised Commitments). Having carefully considered the representations received, the Revised Commitments offered by CMHK and all relevant information, the CA is satisfied that the Revised Commitments are sufficient to effectively address the potential competition concerns arising from the Proposed Transaction. Therefore, the CA has decided to accept the Revised Commitments and not to commence an investigation on the Proposed Transaction. For more details on the CA's decision, please refer to the CA Statement released today.

Ends/Friday, August 1, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:18

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