The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) announced today (December 18) that a total of 120 MHz of spectrum, comprising 50 MHz of spectrum in the 900 MHz band and 70 MHz of spectrum in the 1800 MHz band, was successfully auctioned off to four mobile network operators (MNOs) at total spectrum utilisation fees (SUF) of $6 billion.

     The Communications Authority (CA) decided in December 2017 to adopt a hybrid administratively assigned cum market-based approach for re-assigning a total of 200 MHz of radio spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands in view of the expiry of the existing assignment terms between November 2020 and September 2021. 80 MHz of the spectrum in the 1800 MHz band was administratively re-assigned to four incumbent spectrum assignees (viz China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited (CMHK), Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) Limited (HKT), Hutchison Telephone Company Limited (HTCL) and SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited (SmarTone)) in September 2018. The assignment of the remaining 120 MHz of spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands was determined by the auction completed today.

     Four bidders, all incumbent spectrum assignees, took part in the auction which commenced yesterday (December 17), and came to a satisfactory conclusion after a total of 16 bidding rounds today. The provisional successful bidders, the radio spectrum under bidding and the SUF determined in the auction are in the Annex.

     "Together with 20 MHz of the spectrum administratively re-assigned to each of the four incumbent spectrum assignees earlier, CMHK, HKT, HTCL and SmarTone would respectively be assigned 50 MHz, 60 MHz, 40 MHz and 50 MHz of spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands for a new term of 15 years after expiry of the existing assignments. Each provisional successful bidder is required to submit a letter of credit by March 20, 2019, to guarantee payment of the SUF concerned before the actual re-assignment of the spectrum takes effect," a spokesman for OFCA said.

     "Some of the spectrum in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands will change hands in the new assignment term. The incumbent spectrum assignees will have a transitional period of about two years to reconfigure their existing networks and/or roll out additional network infrastructure. OFCA will co-ordinate with them to ensure a smooth changeover during the run-up to the commencement of the new assignment term," the spokesman added.

     The Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li, today (December 18) signed a co-operation agreement with the Director of the National Museum of China (NMC), Mr Wang Chunfa, and a letter of intent on cultural exchange and co-operation with the Director of Nanjing Museum, Mr Gong Liang, with a view to fostering cultural exchange and collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland, as well as achieving synergy and complementarity by sharing of resources.
      
     In the coming five years, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the NMC will facilitate experience sharing and training in various areas including exhibition planning, research on relics and conservation technology. The two sides will deliberate on co-organising exhibitions to maximise their respective qualities, and they will enhance collaboration in exchange and training on heritage conservation and share information and resources on collecting artefacts, as well as study the use of a shared museum information platform. They will also explore the development of cultural and creative industries and foster cultural exchanges through academic exchange activities and education promotion programmes.
      
     The LCSD and the Nanjing Museum will work together to enhance cultural exchanges and collaboration, such as organising new exhibitions through co-curation and loan of exhibits. Communication between the museum professionals will be enhanced for sharing knowledge and results of academic research, and more training activities including museum forums, talks and thematic seminars will be arranged in future. The two sides will also exchange information on co-organising major exhibitions with foreign museums to enhance efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

     The LCSD has long held close relationships with the NMC and Nanjing Museum. In 2014, the LCSD and Nanjing Museum jointly organised an exhibition entitled "Gems of Yixing Tea Ware from the Nanjing Museums" featuring 64 sets of purple clay tea ware, showcasing how the tradition of purple clay tea ware evolved and the fine creations of many famous potters. In the coming year, the LCSD and the NMC will collaborate again for another exhibition entitled "The Road to Modernisation: 70 Years of the People's Republic of China" to showcase China's modernisation process.

    

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited on fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the website should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The exhibition "Golden Splendours: 20th-Century Painted Porcelains of Hong Kong" will open tomorrow (December 19) at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum. Through the display of more than 200 porcelain objects painted and produced by local painters and porcelain factories, the exhibition will illustrate the history and culture of local painted porcelain in the 20th century, showcasing the prime period of the industry.
      
     The exhibition will display various types of local porcelain, including vintage and armorial porcelain ware that was mainly for export, as well as daily and decorative pieces that were widely popular in Hong Kong. Complemented with other exhibits, such as historical photos, manuscripts, hand-drawn designs, pigments and tools, the exhibition will reveal the development and characteristics of local painted porcelain, enabling visitors to learn about the accomplishments of the industry.
      
     In the 20th century, the local painted porcelain industry reached its golden age by producing unique and special painted porcelain appealing to both the Chinese and Western communities. Locally produced porcelain products were exported and sold around the world. In addition to its diverse shapes and rich decoration, the porcelain also combined Chinese and Western cultural elements, showing the distinct local colour of Hong Kong.
      
     Highlight exhibits include a plate in guangcai style with Canton rose in medallion design, a pair of deities in Qianlong fencai style, a plate with a scene of an angel announcing the resurrection of Christ, a covered jar with gilded copper ornamentation and mandarin design in Qianlong guangcai style, a two-handled vase lamp stand with a tobacco leaf pattern, and a pewter-encased square tile ashtray with green butterfly design.
      
     An opening ceremony was held today (December 18). Officiating guests included the Acting Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Culture), Mr Chan Shing-wai; the President of the Hong Kong Ceramics Research Society, Mr Chris Lo; the Society's Founding President and Guangcai/Gangcai Research Project Coordinator, Ms Yim Wai-wai; and the Museum Director of the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Ms Fione Lo.
      
     The exhibition will run until March 18 next year and admission is free. The exhibition is jointly presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Ceramics Research Society, and jointly organised by the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and the Hong Kong Ceramics Research Society.
      
     The Hong Kong Heritage Museum is located at 1 Man Lam Road, Sha Tin. For details of the exhibition, please visit the museum's website at www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk/en_US/web/hm/exhibitions/current_exhibitions.html, or call 2180 8188 for enquiries.

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (December 19).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.