The work of OFTA is guided by the following policy objectives:

• to enable Hong Kong to be recognised as a world-class telecommunications centre for doing business
• to ensure that Hong Kong has available high-quality telecommunications services at competitive prices
• to ensure that Hong Kong has high performance in telecommunications as measured against the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) economies.

With about 330 staff members, OFTA's role is to regulate the telecommunications industry of Hong Kong and to facilitate its development. Its work covers six main areas:

Technical and Economic Regulation of Telecommunications Services

OFTA's work in this aspect includes licensing and regulation of services; setting equipment and network connection standards; type-approving telecommunications equipment; administering the numbering plan; handling determinations and mediations to resolve industry disputes related to interconnection and sharing of facilities; handling issues concerning access to land and provision of physical facilities for the installation of networks, including the coordination of access to buildings by operators and laying of ducts for telecommunication cables in public roads; and investigating complaints pertaining to suspected breach of relevant provisions in the Telecommunications Ordinance and licence conditions.

Enforcement of Fair Competition

OFTA enforces the provisions in the Telecommunications Ordinance concerning anti-competitive practices and misleading conduct.

Radio Frequency Spectrum Management and Satellite Co-ordination

The aim is to ensure efficient utilisation of the radio frequency spectrum and satellite orbital positions. OFTA's responsibilities include the management of radio frequencies, investigation into radio interference complaints, licensing private telecommunications services, prosecution of illegal use of telecommunications equipment, and coordination with the frequency management authorities outside Hong Kong to prevent interference between radio services.

Advisory and Planning

OFTA advises the Government on telecommunications matters and renders technical support to the Broadcasting Authority on the regulation of broadcasting services and to the Government on the implementation of the digital terrestrial television policy.

Control of Unsolicited Electronic Messages

OFTA enforces the provisions in the Unsolicited Electronic Messages (UEM) Ordinance except those parts related to fraudulent activities, maintains the "Do-not-call Registers" system for the use of the general public and businesses/organisations, and cooperate with international and local anti-spam organisations to combat spam.

International Affairs