of the six sample
areas, it was found that Telco has spare empty ducts on approximately 50% of all duct routes. However, on the basis that it is technically possible to draw cable television cables into ducts that are already partially filled by telephone cables, and by designing the cable television wiring plan to suit the ducting plan, then over 90% of ducts in the Mongkok, North Point and Mid-Levels areas could accommodate the required cable television cables. Telco would need to provide additional ducts for the remainder, mainly using traditional duct-digging techniques in order to marry new ducts with the existing system. In addition, it is estimated that road openings on footpaths for the widening of existing telephone network building entry points will be necessary for 20% of all buildings to be served. Furthermore, additional civil works would be required as Telco upgrades its broadband network to meet the demand for more advanced services.
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If Telco has a large spare capacity in its ducts, it could be argued that this should be reserved for the telephone subscribers who have largely paid
paid for the existing network. Alternatively; a case could be made for these ducts to be leased to the providers of any broadband network, with the revenue accruing to the telephone service.
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As regards HCV's claim that its mini-trenching technique will keep disruption to a minimum, the Director of Highways has commented that the narrow trenching system using concrete cutting saws would be useful in normal footway cable laying; however it cannot be employed in
in trenching roads. Moreover, the efficiency of this trenching method depends on the depth of the channels required which, according to the Director of Highways, could vary from place to place*. The magnitude of the cable laying operations and of subsequent maintenance makes the disruption of pedestrian and vehicular traffic inevitable though it may be possible to minimise the inconvenience by careful planning and execution of works.
Note*
According to the Director of
of Highways, the present requirement that telephone duct should be 450 millimetres and 900 millimetres below road surface in footways and roads respectively is in fact applied with flexibility.