Communications Authority press release

The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:

     This press release summarises the decisions of the Communications Authority (CA) following its 104th meeting held in February 2021:

CA publishes Spectrum Release Plan (SRP) for 2021 – 2023
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     In accordance with the Radio Spectrum Policy Framework promulgated by the Government in April 2007, the CA published today (February 25) the SRP for 2021 – 2023 to inform the industry of the potential supply of spectrum for provision of public mobile and/or other radiocommunications services in the coming three years.

     According to the newly published SRP, in addition to the supply of 2 825 MHz of spectrum in the 600/700 MHz, 850 MHz, 2.5/2.6 GHz, 4.9 GHz and 26/28 GHz bands available for assignment/re-assignment, with relevant arrangements to be made this year, the CA has earmarked 4 000 MHz of new spectrum in the 41 GHz band for release to the market in the coming three years to enable the on-going development of public mobile services, including fifth generation mobile (5G) services.

     The SRP for 2021 – 2023 is available on the CA's website: www.coms-auth.hk/filemanager/en/content_613/spectrum_plan2021_en.pdf.

CA approves changes in shareholding structure of Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB)
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     The CA has approved an application by TVB, a domestic free television programme service (free TV) licensee, for changes in its shareholding structure arising from the transfer of 3.9 per cent of the voting shares of TVB controlled by the late Ms Mona Fong to a charitable trust with retrospective effect from August 27, 2020.

     According to TVB, the shareholding changes would not bring about any material change to the legal and beneficial ownership of the licensee. Upon completion of the changes in the shareholding structure of TVB, which took effect on August 27, 2020, The Sir Run Run Shaw Charitable Trust has become the beneficiary of the 3.9 per cent of the voting shares of TVB. Young Lion Holdings Limited, the major shareholder of TVB, continues to hold 22.1 per cent of the voting shares of TVB.

     In approving the application, the CA is satisfied that TVB will continue to comply with all applicable regulatory requirements under the Broadcasting Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 562) and its free TV licence, and that it will be able to honour the investment and programming commitments it has made under its licence after completion of the shareholding changes.

Breach of residence requirement by TTV Asia Limited (TTV)
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     The CA decided that TTV, a holder of an other licensable television programme service licence, had breached section 8(4)(b) of the BO (Cap. 562) by failing to have at least one director or principal officer since September 11, 2020, who was at that time ordinarily a resident in Hong Kong and had been a resident for at least one continuous period of seven years. Taking into account the circumstances of the case and severity of the breach, the CA decided that a financial penalty of $50,000 should be imposed on TTV.

Renewal of non-domestic television programme service licence of APT Satellite TV Development Limited (APT)
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     The CA approved the application by APT for renewal of its non-domestic television programme service (non-domestic TV) licence for 12 years, from February 27, 2022, to February 26, 2034 (both dates inclusive). Currently, there are 10 non-domestic TV licensees providing over 190 satellite television programme channels for the Asia Pacific region.