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25 June 2003
Press Release issued by the Civil
Service Bureau on 25 June 2003 -
Appointment of Mr Anthony Wong,
Director-General of Telecommunications,
to the post of Commissioner for
Innovation and Technology The Government announced today (June 25) the appointment
of Mr Anthony Wong Sik-kei, currently Director-General of Telecommunications,
to take up the post of Commissioner for Innovation and Technology
with effect from August 11, 2003.
The Commissioner for Innovation and Technology
post has not been filled substantively since July 1, 2002 when
Mr Francis Ho Suen-wai was appointed as Permanent Secretary for
Commerce, Industry and Technology (Information Technology and
Broadcasting).
Commenting on Mr Wong's appointment, the Permanent
Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Rebecca Lai, said: "Mr Anthony
Wong has proven leadership and administrative skills. Together
with his rich technology experience in the telecommunications
field, I am confident that he will be able to lead the Innovation
and Technology Commission in facing the challenges ahead. I am
also confident that the staff of the Commission will continue
to give their best under his leadership."
The biographical notes on Mr Anthony Wong Sik-kei
are as follows:
Mr Anthony Wong Sik-kei, JP
Aged 55, Mr Wong joined the Post Office as an
Assistant Telecommunications Engineer in September 1974. He was
promoted to Telecommunications Engineer in September 1978, to
Senior Telecommunications Engineer in July 1980, to Chief Telecommunications
Engineer in June 1984, and to Assistant Postmaster General in
July 1988. In March 1994, he was appointed as Senior Assistant
Director of Telecommunications in the Office of the Telecommunications
Authority. He has been the Director-General of Telecommunications
since April 1997.
End/Wednesday, June 25,2003
25 June 2003
Press Release issued by the Commerce,
Industry and Technology Bureau (CITB) on
25 June 2003 - SCIT's comments on
Mr Anthony Wong's new appointment Commenting on the appointment of Mr Anthony Wong as the
Commissioner for Innovation and Technology, the Secretary for
Commerce, Industry and Technology, Mr Henry Tang, today (June
25) paid tribute to Mr Wong for his outstanding contribution
as Director-General of Telecommunications in the development
and implementation of the regulatory framework for the telecommunications
market in Hong Kong.
"Under Mr Wong's leadership, the Office of the
Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) has ensured that the telecommunications
market and consumers in Hong Kong benefit from competition, innovation
and investment.
"Liberalisation of the telecommunications market
and progressive regulatory measures have brought in new market
players, new investment in infrastructure and facilities and
introduction of new services. This has in turn enhanced competition,
increased the choices for consumers while reducing the cost to
them and encouraged innovation in technological application and
service provision.
"OFTA has certainly set the benchmark for best
practice for regulatory authorities in Asia as evidenced by the
many recognitions it has earned over the years in this respect.
"Through Mr Wong's effective participation, Hong
Kong is also able to gain considerable visibility in, and influence
on, international organisations such as the International Telecommunications
Union. In the past few years, Mr Wong has been elected to various
important positions in these forums," Mr Tang said.
The Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Industry
and Technology (Information Technology and Broadcasting), Mr Francis
Ho, is confident that Mr Wong will meet the new challenges and
continue to provide outstanding leadership at the Innovation and
Technology Commission.
"In addition to his track record in administration
and management, Mr Wong is an engineer by profession and he
has a very good understanding of the industrial, technological
and regulatory issues concerning the communications industry
and market. His expertise, experience and passion for technological
advancement will add further impetus to our endeavour in promoting
innovation and technology in general and in developing new applications
and services for our economy.
"I am very pleased that he accepted the appointment
readily," Mr Ho said.
Mr Au Man-ho, currently Deputy Director-General
of Telecommunications, will be acting Director-General when Mr
Wong leaves OFTA in mid-August.
End/Wednesday, June 25, 2003
20 June 2003
Report on
the Effectiveness of Competition
in Hong Kong's
Telecommunications Market : An International
Comparison
The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) issued
today (20 June 2003) a report on the effectiveness of competition
in Hong Kong's telecommunications market, as benchmarked against
seven markets --- Australia, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden,
United Kingdom and the United States. The study was undertaken
by a consultant commissioned by OFTA.
"This is the first international benchmarking
study on market competition commissioned by OFTA. The study establishes
that Hong Kong is a leading market in terms of effectiveness
of competition in the telecommunications market," the spokesman
said.
The study assesses the effectiveness of competition
by comparing a range of objective competition indicators with
comparable overseas economies. The scope of the study includes
the local fixed voice sector, mobile sector, data access (i.e.
broadband services) sector and international services sector.
It focuses on four key competition issues, including (i) competition
environment and regulatory framework, (ii) development and effectiveness
of competition, (iii) consumer benefits derived from competition
and (iv) industry investment.
"We have the most competitive mobile sector as
compared with the other seven review markets. In the local fixed
voice sector and the international services sector, new entrants
have gained significant increase in market shares during the
past few years,"continued the spokesman. This is the outcome
of liberalization policy as well as pro-competition regulation,
such as Type II interconnection, mobile number portability and
a new licensing framework of mobile virtual network operators.
Consumers have derived substantial benefits in
terms of both savings in cost of telecommunications services
and increase in take-up. The cumulative savings resulting from
competition in the mobile market are estimated to be HK$70 billion
for the period from 1996 to 2002. Savings from IDD call rates
for the period from 1999 to 2001 amounts to an estimated HK$31
billion. Hong Kong also has the highest mobile penetration rate,
and the second highest broadband penetration rate after South
Korea among the review markets.
"Hong Kong is one of the least expensive markets
for telecommunications services. This, in turn, stimulates service
take-up,"highlighted the spokesman.
"Hong Kong enjoys high level of investment in
telecommunications. The cumulative investment per capita during
1991-2001 is around HK$14,000. It is higher than five other review
markets, similar to UK and second to Japan only," the spokesman
elaborated. With the substantial investment, operators have been
able to deploy advanced networks and deliver innovative products
and services to end-users.
"We shall conduct similar studies every two years
to ensure that Hong Kong maintains our competitiveness internationally,"
the spokesman concluded.
The report of the study, in both Chinese and English,
can be downloaded from OFTA's website at
http://www.ofta.gov.hk.
Office of the Telecommunications
Authority
20 June 2003
17 June 2003
"Best Asian Regulator" Awarded to OFTA
at its Tenth Anniversary The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) has
again won the title of "Best Asian Regulator" this
year, the fifth time since 1998. The award has not only again
proved that the achievements of OFTA in regulating the telecommunications
industry is well recognized by its professional peers in Asia,
it is also a very meaningful gift to OFTA at its tenth anniversary.
"Best Asian Regulator" is among the
11 awards of the Telecom Asia Awards 2003 presented by the Telecom
Asia, the longest-running industry publishing group with readers
in 12 markets in Asia, to leading telecommunications carriers,
regulators and executives. Formerly known as the Readers' Choice
Awards, this is the first year that the winners were selected
by an industry expert judging panel instead of by the voting
of the readers of the Telecom Asia. The seven-member judging
panel comprises representatives of major regional industry groups,
such as the International Telecommunications Users' Group (INTUG)
and the Cable & Satellite Broadcasters' Association of Asia
(CASBAA), as well as professionals in the telecommunications
industry of Asia. Winners were chosen on the combination of financial
and operational metrics plus the judging panel's own performance
assessments.
"We are greatly honoured and pleased to be
presented with the award again for the fifth time since 1998.
This is especially meaningful to OFTA when we are approaching
our tenth anniversary when the full liberalization of the local
telecommunications service market has been completed. We are
much encouraged by the continuous support rendered by our peers
in Asia and the recognition given to our work done in the past
years. Of course the honour should be shared by all of our highly
dedicated and professional staff at OFTA. Their concerted efforts
and contributions are indispensable to OFTA for winning the title
again this year," said the Director-General of Telecommunications,
Mr Anthony Wong.
"With the full liberalization of the telecommunications
service market, members of the public are now able to enjoy much
wider service choices at competitive prices. However, inevitably,
we are also facing many more challenges in the regulation of
a highly competitive market, in particular under the current
economic climate. But no matter how tough the situation is, we
are committed to enhancing the quality and efficiency of our
services to the public, while carrying on our mission of developing
Hong Kong into a telecommunications hub in the Asia Pacific region," said
Mr Wong.
The Award Presentation Ceremony cum Gala Dinner
was held today (17 June 2003) in Singapore. Director of the Hong
Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore, Mr Rex Chang, attended
the ceremony and received the award on OFTA's behalf.
Office of the Telecommunications Authority
17 June 2003
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OFTA has won the "Best
Asian Regulator" award for the 5th time |
Click
here to download the photo
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