Author Archives: hksar gov

The following is issued on behalf of the Communication Authority:
 
     This press release summarises the decisions of the Communications Authority (CA) following its 85th meeting held in April 2019:
 
Review of the class licence for offer of telecommunications services
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     The class licence for offer of telecommunications services (CLOTS) authorises any person meeting the criteria or conditions set out in CLOTS to offer any telecommunications service to the general public without establishment, operation or maintenance of any means of telecommunications. In view of the emergence of new technologies and the adoption of new business models and commercial practices by market players, the CA commenced a public consultation on January 4, 2019, to solicit views and comments from the public on its proposals to strengthen the licensing regime in CLOTS for better consumer protection.
      
     Taking into account all views and comments received in the public consultation, the CA decided to vary the conditions in the CLOTS with a view to enhancing regulatory oversight. 
      
     A key feature of the revised CLOTS is the introduction of a registration requirement for those CLOTS licensees with a customer base of 10 000 subscriptions or more. This requirement enables the CA to have better communications with these licensees for more effective regulatory oversight, compliance monitoring and handling of customer complaints. 
      
     The revised CLOTS is published in the Gazette today (April 26). To allow existing CLOTS licensees sufficient time to make necessary adjustments to their business systems and procedures for compliance with the revised CLOTS, the revised CLOTS will take effect on October 26, 2019, while the registration requirement will be subject to a further three-month grace period after the effective date. The CA will issue guidelines on the relevant administrative procedures for registration and other implementation details to provide practical guidance to the CLOTS licensees. 
 
     For further details, please refer to the revised CLOTS (www.coms-auth.hk/filemanager/common/licensing/Offer_of_Tele_Services_effect_from_20191026_en.pdf) and the CA Statement published on the CA’s website (www.coms-auth.hk/filemanager/statement/en/upload/502/ca_statement_20190426.pdf).
 
Non-compliance with reporting and submission requirements by Luxury Hotels International of Hong Kong Limited
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     The CA decided that Luxury Hotels International of Hong Kong Limited (LHIHK), an “other licensable television programme service” (other licensable TV) licensee, had breached sections 21(2) and 39(3) of the Broadcasting Ordinance (Cap 562) and Condition 5 of its other licensable TV licence for failing to submit to the CA by April 1, 2018, an annual statutory declaration for 2018, to report to the CA the changes of its directors within seven days of the changes, and to promptly notify the CA of the change of the address of its registered office. The submission of the statutory declaration was late by about 10 months and the reports on the changes of directors were late by 178 days and 52 days, while the change of address of registered office was reported about three years and two months after the change. Taking into account LHIHK’s representations, as well as the duration and severity of the breaches, the CA decided that LHIHK should be strongly advised to observe more closely the relevant provisions. read more

     The Transport Department (TD) today (April 26) announced that the 39th invitation exercise of the Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks (PVRMs) Scheme will be launched on May 1.
      
     “Starting from May 1, applications are invited under the 39th invitation exercise for the allocation of PVRMs upon sale by auction. Completed application forms should reach the department no later than May 31. If there are more than 1 500 applications, those to be considered will be selected by lot,” a TD spokesman said.
      
     Interested persons should complete and submit the application forms (TD569). Those who possess a digital certificate may also make use of the online application service at the GovHK website (www.gov.hk).
      
     Application forms (TD569) and Guidance Notes for Application can be downloaded from the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) or obtained from the TD’s Licensing Offices as well as the Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Home Affairs Department. Completed applications can be put in the drop-in box at any of the TD’s Licensing Offices or posted to Vehicle Registration Marks Unit, Transport Department, Room 506-508, 5/F, Harcourt House, 39 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. Applications received by mail will be dated by the postmark. No payment of deposit is required at this stage.
      
     Applicants are advised to read carefully the Guidance Notes for details of the scheme before completing the application forms. They can also check whether a proposed PVRM is in compliance with the basic combination requirements by using the online service at the GovHK webpage at www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/vehicle/onlineservices.htm.
      
     Each applicant may submit only one application in each exercise. If an applicant submits more than one application, none of his/her applications will be processed. Once submitted, the applicant cannot withdraw the application or change the arrangement of the PVRM stated in the application form.
      
     An acknowledgement will be immediately sent to the applicant upon successful submission of an online application. Those who submit the applications by TD569 will receive TD’s acknowledgement by ordinary post within two weeks after submission. Applicants who do not receive the acknowledgement within this time frame should call the TD hotline at 2804 2600. read more

     The Government intends to allow Start Treasure Limited to carry out proposed works in relation to seawall and landing steps within an area of approximately 35 600 square metres of the foreshore and seabed at Kwun Tong Tsai Wan (Yau Tong Bay). The proposed works aim to facilitate the implementation of the proposed Yau Tong Bay comprehensive development. The extent of the area of foreshore and seabed affected is described in a notice published in the Government Gazette today (April 26).

     The proposed works include the repair and strengthening of seawalls and construction of new seawalls at Kwun Tong Tsai Wan (Yau Tong Bay), as well as the construction of two flights of landing steps along the existing seawall at Kwun Tong Tsai Wan (Yau Tong Bay), which involve modification, demolition and reconstruction of the existing seawall and related works. To facilitate the proposed works, a temporary works area would need to be erected at Kwun Tong Tsai Wan (Yau Tong Bay). The proposed works are scheduled to commence in 2020 for completion by 2023.

     The notice and its related plan are posted near the site. The plan can also be viewed at the following locations:
 
* Survey and Mapping Office of the Lands Department (23/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong) (where copies can be purchased on order);
 
* Kwun Tong Home Affairs Enquiry Centre of the Kwun Tong District Office (G/F, The Grande Building, 398 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon); and
 
* Lands Department’s website (www.landsd.gov.hk) under Government Notices.

     Any person who considers that he or she has an interest, right or easement in or over the foreshore and sea-bed involved may submit a written objection to the Director of Lands, 20/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, within two months from the above-mentioned date, i.e. on or before June 26. The notice of such objection shall describe the interest, right or easement of the objector and the manner in which he or she will be allegedly affected. read more

     The Government announced today (April 26) that the Chief Executive has appointed three new members and re-appointed 11 incumbent members to the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) for a term of two years with effect from May 2… read more

     The Education Bureau will hold the Information Expo on Multiple Pathways 2019 (Info Expo) from 10am to 6pm on May 3 and 4 (Friday and Saturday) at Rotunda 2 of the Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre. Information on various articulation opportunities will be provided for secondary school graduates to better prepare them to plan for further studies and career paths.

     More than 30 institutions and organisations will set up exhibition booths at the Info Expo to provide information on locally accredited post-secondary programmes (including programmes eligible for government subsidy schemes, as well as vocational and professional education and training programmes); the Diploma Yi Jin programme; relevant online platforms such as the Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes, the Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes and the Concourse for Self-financing Post-secondary Education; and the Qualifications Framework.

     Hok Yau Club, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and the Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association will offer studies and career guidance services to students. There will also be talks and student sharing sessions on multiple pathways and preparation for articulation to post-secondary education. Industry and institution representatives will provide first-hand information about relevant programmes and careers in the industries concerned. Admission is free.

     Details are available at www.cspe.edu.hk/content/Resources-CareerGuidance-MultiplePathwaysExpo. read more