Communications Authority Creates New Localised Wireless Broadband Service Licence

The Communications Authority (CA) today (5 July 2019) announced the creation of a new Localised Wireless Broadband Service (LWBS) Licence for the administrative assignment of up to 400 MHz of spectrum in the 26 GHz band (24.25 – 27.5 GHz) and 28 GHz band (27.5 – 28.35 GHz) on a geographically sharing basis (Shared Spectrum) to facilitate the development of innovative wireless communications services based on fifth generation (5G) or other advanced mobile technologies.

A spokesperson for the CA said, "The Shared Spectrum under the LWBS licence will be assigned on a geographically sharing basis, for use in different specified locations such as university campuses, industrial estates, the airport and technology parks. It may also be used to support fixed wireless access or smart city applications. Assignees may each deploy the Shared Spectrum as assigned to provide localised network coverage in their specified locations having aggregate specified areas of not exceeding 50 square kilometres."

The spokesperson continued, "The arrangement aims to encourage the development of innovative services and applications with use of 5G technologies, including those underpinning the smart city initiatives. The services to be provided with the use of the Shared Spectrum under the LWBS licence would be distinct from conventional public mobile services, and would in general be confined to wireless data-centric communications for specific groups of users."

The validity period of the LWBS Licence is five years and may be extended at the discretion of the CA for a further period of up to five years. The annual licence fee for the LWBS Licence consists of a fixed fee of HK$100,000, and variable fees based on the number of base stations and LWBS devices in use and the amount of spectrum assigned.

Invitation for submission of applications for the LWBS Licence will be launched in a couple of weeks. To facilitate the introduction of innovative services as technologies evolve and demands arise, applications for assignment of the Shared Spectrum may be submitted at any time after the commencement of the application process, and the administrative assignments will be made on a first-come-first-served basis.

Communications Authority
Secretariat

5 July 2019

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