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XCC (89)6
receiving
apparatus and television
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3
receivers.
The
Attorney General's Chambers have advised that the law will require amendment if it is decided that individuals should be relieved of the obligation to obtain licences to erect satellite dishes even where they are intended solely for the reception of television signals for private use.
BCASHME
(B) The CWHK Licence
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Under the terms of the licence granted by the Governor in Council in 1981, and which is valid until 2006 CWHK has the exclusive right to operate external television and voice programme transmission services to and from Hong Kong except to the extent that the Governor in Council may from time to time direct otherwise in writing. Until such a directive is given, CWHK will retain the exclusive right to provide such services and can legally prevent any third party in Hong Kong from providing them.
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CWHK's exclusive right is lost in relation to the services specified and to the extent stated in any such direction given by the Governor in Council. The Attorney General's Chambers
Chambers have advised that such directions
may be given either specifically in relation to a third party who is to be licensed to receive satellite signals or in relation to the general reception of such signals.
(C) International Obligations
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The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established to promote coordination and cooperation between states to improve and develop telecommunication services. The UK is a Member of the ITU. As a dependent territory, Hong Kong is required to take necessary measures to prohibit and prevent the unauthorized interception of radiocommunications not intended for general public use, and to ensure through its licensing system that in cases where signals are received without authorization, they are not reproduced, used, or distributed for any purpose.
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INTELSAT is an international consortium formed to manage and operate a global satellite communications service. The UK is a party to the agreement and Hong Kong is likewise bound by its terms. It is a responsibility of parties to the INTELSAT agreement to prohibit unauthorized use of its facilities, the aim being to
to prevent damage and to safeguard INTELSAT's revenue from its utilization charges.
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