Hong Kong upgrades as telecommunications hub

Hong Kong is streamlining its licensing regime for telecommunications with the creation of a Class Licence for the provision of Public Wireless Local Area Network (LAN) services.

Wireless LAN is becoming increasingly popular in providing convenience to consumers in accessing public telecommunications networks without the need for wired connections to wall sockets.

It enables users with portable equipment, such as notebook computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs) within the coverage areas of the LAN, to gain access through wireless means for voice and data communications, including surfing the Internet and sending or receiving e-mail.

"The creation of the Class Licence will provide a streamlined licensing regime for operators to run public wireless LAN services without the need for individual licence applications or approvals," a spokesman for the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) said today (January 17).

"This will facilitate the business operation of public wireless LAN services, and enhance Hong Kong's position as the telecommunications hub in the region."

Under the Class Licence, a person may use wireless LAN equipment operating within the frequency bands 2400-2483.5 MHz, 5150-5350 MHz and 5725-5850 MHz, which have been widely designated for establishing wireless LAN, and meeting certain technical specifications on emission power levels to provide a public wireless LAN service.

The service includes the provision of radio access to, and resale of, other licensed telecommunications services to customers within the coverage area of the radio device.

"We believe the industry will welcome the opening of a new frequency band in 5150-5350 MHz for establishing wireless LAN services. This will allow use of the IEEE 802.11a type of wireless LAN applications," the spokesman said.

Any person who intends to operate a public wireless LAN service is only required to register with the Telecommunications Authority before commencing operation. Unlike individual licences, no application and processing procedures will be involved; and no licence fee will be charged.

Under the Class Licence, the licensee needs to meet specified minimum technical conditions such as the avoidance of interference; and they will be subject to the provisions of the Telecommunications Ordinance similar to other public telecommunications services providers.

The Class Licence only applies to operators of public wireless LAN services, but not end users for private use. End users may use the same frequency bands without licensing and are subject to the same technical conditions in establishing their own private wireless LANs.

"It is the government's objective to facilitate the development of new means of telecommunications services," the OFTA spokesman said.

"We expect to see wireless LAN flourishing not only in shopping arcades or Internet cafes, but also wider applications at home, on university campuses and in the corporate environment, including SMEs."

End/Friday, January 17, 2003