This press release summarises the Communications Authority ("CA")'s decisions made in March 2017:
Suspension of the Mobile Services of CMMobile Global Communications Limited ("CMMobile")
The Office of the Communications Authority ("OFCA") conducted an investigation into the suspension of mobile services offered by CMMobile since 2:00 a.m. on 17 January 2017. Having considered the findings of the investigation of OFCA and the representations of CMMobile, the CA concluded that CMMobile had breached General Condition 5.1 of its services-based operator ("SBO") licence, which required it to operate, maintain and provide a good, efficient and continuous service in a manner satisfactory to the CA. As CMMobile failed to adduce any evidence to demonstrate that it would resume service within a reasonable time and comply with the licence condition about the provision of a good, efficient and continuous service during the remaining term of the licence until 30 June 2017, the CA decided to cancel the SBO licence of CMMobile with immediate effect. For details, please refer to the Notice of Licence Cancellation published on the CA's website.
Contravention by Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) Limited ("HKT") of its Unified Carrier Licence No. 008 in Prolonged Delay in Submission of its Regulatory Accounting Reports ("Regulatory Reports")
There were prolonged delays in the range of 9 to 20 months before HKT submitted the unaudited and audited Regulatory Reports for the financial years 2014 and 2015 according to the requirements set out in the Accounting Manual issued by OFCA. Based on the findings of the investigation conducted by OFCA and the representations of HKT, the CA concluded that HKT was in breach of Special Condition 5.6 of and the CA Direction issued pursuant thereto its Unified Carrier Licence No. 008. Taking into account all circumstances of the case, the CA decided to issue a warning to HKT. For details, please refer to the CA's Decision published on the CA's website.
Renewal of Non-domestic Television Programme Service Licence
The CA approved the application by Auspicious Colour Limited ("Auspicious") for renewal of its non-domestic television programme service licence for 12 years, from 17 September 2017 to 16 September 2029 (both dates inclusive). Including Auspicious, there are 15 non-domestic television programme service licensees in Hong Kong providing more than 180 satellite television channels targeting viewers in the Asia Pacific region.
Renewal of Other Licensable Television Programme Service Licence
The CA approved the application by Showers of Blessing Evangelistic Ministry (Hong Kong) Limited ("Showers of Blessing") for renewal of its other licensable television programme service licence for the provision of television programme service to hotel rooms in Hong Kong for a period of three years, from 1 June 2018 to 31 May 2021 (both dates inclusive). Including Showers of Blessing, there are 24 other licensable television programme service licensees providing services to more than 80 hotels in Hong Kong.
Communications Authority
Secretariat
30 March 2017