364 Communications, the Media and Information Technology
computers. The two broadcasters expanded further their digital coverage to 89 per cent in 2010 and aim at extending the digital network to achieve almost full coverage by 2012.
In November 2010, the Chief Executive in Council approved in principle three applications for sound broadcasting licences to provide territory-wide round-the-clock digital audio broadcasting (DAB) services in Hong Kong. The three applicants (including one existing licensee providing analogue radio service) together with RTHK plan to provide a total of 18 DAB channels.
The BA is currently processing three applications for domestic free television programme service licences in accordance with the law and established practices. The BA will submit recommendations to the Chief Executive in Council on the applications.
Setting up a Unified Regulator for Telecommunications and Broadcasting
The markets for broadcasting and telecommunications are converging rapidly and the Government sees a need to review the existing regulatory regimes for the two sectors in order to keep pace with the changing environment and meet the regulatory challenges. Under a stage-by-stage approach, the Government has proposed the setting up of a unified regulator, the Communications Authority (CA) as the first step, to be followed by the review in respect of the legislation on telecommunications and broadcasting. The Legislative Council has established a Bills Committee to examine the draft Bill to set up the CA.
Information Technology
Digital 21 Strategy
The Government is committed to making Hong Kong a leading digital city. To keep Hong Kong at the forefront of the development of information and communications technology (ICT), it has formulated a Digital 21 Strategy which is updated continually to cope with technological advancements and the community's changing needs. This has produced the right environment, infrastructure, skills and culture for developing and adopting ICT, as reflected in Hong Kong's mobile subscription penetration rate of 189 per cent, one of the highest in the world; also in its household broadband connection rate of 82.5 per cent, among the highest in Asia; and in its Smart Identity Card, one of the first to be invented in the world.
Hong Kong as a Leading Digital Economy
Driving E-business
The Government is committed to providing the necessary infrastructure to facilitate a digital economy to grow. The Electronic Transactions Ordinance provides a clear legal framework for the conduct of secure electronic transactions, which supports the continuous development of e-government and e-business services.
Two certification authorities are recognised under the ordinance to issue digital certificates to enable people and organisations to conduct electronic transactions in
a secure manner.