This press release summarises the Communications Authority ("CA")'s decisions following its 39th meeting in February 2015:
Disruption of the Telecommunications Services of Wharf T&T Limited ("WTT")
On 12 August 2014, there was a disruption of the telecommunications services of WTT affecting a total of 47,353 customers for approximately 2.5 hours from 3:30 pm. The Office of the Communications Authority ("OFCA") completed an investigation into the incident. After considering the assessment of OFCA, the CA concluded that there had been no breach by WTT of General Condition 5.1 of its Unified Carrier Licence and Services-based Operator Licence, which required it to operate, maintain and provide a good, efficient and continuous service in a manner satisfactory to the CA. For details, please refer to the CA's Decision published on the CA's website.
Other Licensable Television Programme Service Licence
The CA approved the application by DOCOMO InterTouch Company Limited ("DOCOMO") for the 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 12 years. Including DOCOMO, there are now 27 other licensable television programme service licensees providing services to more than 90 hotels in Hong Kong.
Broadcast Complaints
The CA also considered three complaint cases in respect of the broadcasters' non-compliance with the Generic Code of Practice on Television Programme Standards ("TV Programme Code") -
(a) a complaint against the television programme "Vision on International Finance" (國際財經視野) broadcast on the Home and Asia Channels of Asia Television Limited ("ATV") on 3 June 2014. The CA decided that ATV should be strongly advised to observe more closely the relevant provision in the TV Programme Code;
(b) a complaint against the television programme "Hong Kong Connection" (鏗鏘集) of Radio Television Hong Kong ("RTHK") broadcast on the Jade Channel of Television Broadcasts Limited ("TVB") on 14 September 2014. The CA decided that RTHK should be strongly advised to observe more closely the relevant provisions in the TV Programme Code; and
(c) complaints against the television programmes "News Roundup" (晚間新聞) broadcast on the Jade, HD Jade and I News Channels of TVB and the TVBN Channel of TVB Network Vision Limited ("TVBNV") on 2 July 2014 and "Good Morning Hong Kong" (香港早晨) broadcast on the Jade and I News Channels of TVB on 3 July 2014. The CA decided that TVB and TVBNV should be advised to observe more closely the relevant provisions in the TV Programme Code.
Details of the above cases are at the Appendix.
Communications Authority
Secretariat
17 Feburary 2015