COMMUNICATIONS. THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
384
non-cable based means of transmission (primarily satellite) to provide external telecommunications facilities-based service may apply for a licence. At the end of the year, there were 20 successful applicants for cable-based external telecommunications facilities and 13 successful applicants for non-cable based external telecommunications facilities.
The Government will fully liberalise the external facilities market. Starting from January 1, 2003, operators may obtain external facilities licences by means of acquiring capacity through the purchase of Indefeasible Rights of Use (IRUS) of submarine or overland cables. In addition, operators of existing external facilities may apply for modifications of their licences to extend their scope of services to operate backhaul facilities from January 1, 2003.
Satellite Communications
Two Hong Kong companies, APT Satellite Company Limited and Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat), hold licences under the Telecommunications Ordinance and the Outer Space Ordinance to operate and provide satellite communication services. At the end of the year, the two satellite companies were operating a total of six satellites.
Teleport
The Government has earmarked a teleport site in Chung Hom Kok where providers of external telecommunications facilities and broadcasters can establish external links to and from Hong Kong. The site will be developed in two phases. Three sites of Phase I were awarded to successful tenderers in January and November 2000.
Internet Access Services
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) numbered 259 by the end of the year. The number of registered customer accounts with dial-up access was 2 018 238 or 30 dial-up access accounts per 100 inhabitants. The number of broadband accounts increased significantly during the year to 623 302 or nine broadband accounts per 100 inhabitants, representing an annual increase of 59 per cent.
International Activities
Hong Kong continued to participate in the activities of international and regional telecommunications organisations. As a member of the China delegation, Hong Kong was represented in conferences and meetings convened by the International Telecommunication Union. Hong Kong participated in its own right in the meetings of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity and the Telecommunications Working Group of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Hong Kong also took part in the initiative to implement the APEC Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Conformity Assessment of Telecommunications Equipment.
Broadcasting
Broadcasting Policy and Regulation
The policy objectives in broadcasting are to promote programme choice and diversity through competition, to facilitate introduction of new, innovative broadcasting services and to enhance Hong Kong's position as a regional broadcasting hub.