XN000022-1978-10-18 — Page 18

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1978

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CONDITIONS FOR MOBILE RADIO LICENCE

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THE MAIN CRITERION ADOPTED BY THE POSTMASTER GENERAL FOR THE APPROVAL OF MOBILE RADIO LICENCES IN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PLEASURE BOATS IS THAT SUCH A SERVICE SHOULD BE AN ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE LEGITIMATE BUSINESS THE COMPANY IS UNDERTAKING.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES. THE HON. DAVID JEAFFRESON IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. ROGER LOBO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

IF A COMPANY SHOULD REQUIRE LESS THAN 40 MOBILE STATIONS, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL MAY THEN REQUIRE IT TO SHARE A FREQUENCY WITH OTHER COMPANIES, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID,

HOWEVER, IF THE APPLICANT IS THE REGISTERED OWNER OF A TAXI OR PLEASURE BOAT, HE MUST BE A MEMBER OF AN AUTHORISED TAX I ASSOCIATION OR CLUB WHICH PROVIDES OR OPERATES THE RADIO BASE STATION.

THE CRITERIA FOR A LICENCE TO OPERATE A FULLY FLEDGED SHIPS RADIO WHICH CAN CONTACT BOTH SHORE STATIONS AND OTHER VESSELS ARE THAT THE VESSELS SHALL BE PROPERLY REGISTERED AND THAT THE SHIPS RADIO BE OPERATED BY A QUALIFIED OPERATOR.

IN ADDITION, MR. JEAFFRESON SAID, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL HAS TO BE SATISFIED ON A NUMBER OF TECHNICAL POINTS BEFORE A LICENCE IS APPROVED.

AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 11,070 VALID MOBILE LICENCES AND 1,065 FIXED STATION LICENCES ISSUED BY THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, HE ADDED.

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