|
Press Release of 28 August 1998
Implementation of Mobile Number Portability and Introduction
of Dual Band Services
The Telecommunications Authority (TA) today (28 August 1998)
announced his decisions as follows:
| (a) |
that mobile number portability (MNP) should be implemented
by 1 March 1999; and |
|
|
| (b) |
that the introduction of dual band services by mobile network
operators would be allowed subject to compliance with their
licence conditions. |
Regarding (a), the TA issued a Direction to individual operators
of the Public Mobile Radiotelephone Services, Personal Communications
Services and Fixed Telecommunication Network Services requiring
them to implement MNP by 1 March 1999. The implementation of
MNP will enable customers to retain their assigned mobile telephone
numbers if they wish when they change to another mobile network.
"The TA's decision was made after extensive consultation and
discussion with the fixed and mobile network operators. The latest
consultancy study commissioned by the Office of the Telecommunications
Authority (OFTA) concluded that the introduction of MNP would
promote fair competition in the mobile market and create benefits
of HK$461 million in net present value terms over ten years to
the Hong Kong's community," a spokesman for OFTA said.
The TA separately issued a Statement on (b). While allowing
mobile network operators to introduce dual band services, the
TA has not mandated the provision of domestic roaming. Mobile
network operators can conclude such arrangements with each other
but, if they fail to do so, they may request the TA to make a
Determination.
"Some operators considered that the immediate introduction
of dual band services would have adverse impact on the overall
competition of the mobile market and requested the TA to postpone
the implementation. However, the TA considers that the introduction
of dual band services is a natural evolution of technological
advancement which enables greater cost-efficiencies, allows service
differentiation and provides better grade of service. It also
allows consumers to have a wider choice," the OFTA's spokesman
explained.
Both the TA Direction on MNP and the TA Statement on dual
band services are available at OFTA's Internet homepage www.ofta.gov.hk.
Office of the Telecommunications
Authority
28 August 1998 |
