COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA
332
External Telecommunication System (SPETS) licence. A major objective of the SPETS licence is to improve the attractiveness of Hong Kong as a telecom- munications hub by letting companies and organisations use the latest telecommunications technologies to meet their corporate communications needs. By the end of 1996, 25 SPETS licences were in force.
Satellite Communications
To meet the growing demand for telecommunications and broadcasting services in the Asia-Pacific region, Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company (Limited), a Hong Kong-registered company, has launched two satellites: AsiaSat-1 in 1990 and AsiaSat-2 in 1995. Their footprint covers more than 50 countries in the region. The company plans to launch one more satellite in 1997.
Another Hong Kong-registered company, APT Satellite Company Limited, provides satellite telecommunications services to the region through its two satellites, APSTAR-I launched in 1994 and APSTAR-IA launched in July 1996. The company plans to launch another satellite in 1997.
Legislation
Two sets of proposals to amend the Telecommunication Ordinance were put forward during the year. The first, which was introduced into the Legislative Council in May, concerned press freedom and freedom of expression. The second, covering a series of house-keeping amendments aiming to update the legislative framework to keep pace with the rapid technological changes in telecommunications and to implement more effectively the Government's pro-competition and pro-consumer policies, was released to the industry for consultation. Comments gathered would be taken into account in finalising the amendment bill.
International Activities
Hong Kong continued to participate in the activities of international and regional telecommunications organisations. During 1996, Hong Kong was represented in conferences and meetings convened by the International Telecommunications Union, the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum, the Asia Pacific Telecommunity, the Pacific Telecommunications Council, the International Maritime Organisation, the World Trade Organisation, and various conferences, seminars and exhibitions. convened by the private sector in the telecommunications industry.
Broadcasting
Broadcasting policy and regulation
The Secretary for Broadcasting, Culture and Sport is responsible for broadcasting policy, the aims of which are to promote choice and diversity through competition, while regulating programme standards to ensure that public standards of taste and decency are observed. Broadcasting licences are issued by the Governor in Council, and administered on his behalf by the Broadcasting Authority (BA), with administrative support from the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing.
In July 1996, after a policy review and public consultation, the Secretary for Broadcasting, Culture and Sport announced the intention to offer two licences for video-on-demand television services, with a review in 1998 to see whether the