XN000022-1982-12-17 — Page 13

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1982

CORDLESS TELEPHONES TO BE PROHIBITED

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THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, MR H.G. ARDLEY, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT ACTION IS TO BE TAKEN TO PROHIBIT RETAIL SALES OF CORDLESS TELEPHONES IN HONG KONG AS FROM APRIL 1, NEXT YEAR.

RADIO DEALERS AND MANUFACTURERS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY HAVE BEEN GIVEN ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS ACTION.

*THE EFFECT OF THE MOVE WILL BE TO MAKE IT ILLEGAL FOR ANY RADIO DEALER TO SELL CORDLESS TELEPHONES IN HONG KONG. THIS DIFFERS FROM THE PRESENT SITUATION IN WHICH IT IS ONLY ILLEGAL TO SELL SUCH APPARATUS FOR USE IN HONG KONG, IT WILL NOT, HOWEVER, AFFECT MANUFACTURERS OR EXPORTERS WHO HOLD STOCKS FOR EXPORT, HE SAID.

+OVER THE PAST MONTHS IN HONG KONG THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN COMPLAINTS CONCERNING RADIO INTERFERENCE FROM UNLICENSED CORDLESS TELEPHONES CONNECTED TO THE PUBLIC TELEPHONE NETWORK.

+THE INTERFERENCE HAS SERIOUSLY AFFECTED MAJOR USERS OF RADIO COMMUNICATIONS INCLUDING THE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND IT ARISES BECAUSE THE IR ASSIGNED FREQUENCIES ARE CLOSE TO THOSE USED BY THE CORDLESS TELEPHONES AT PRESENT ON SALE IN HONG KONG.

+ IT SHOULD BE REMEMBERED THAT CORDLESS TELEPHONES ARE IN FACT RADIO EQUIPMENT AND, AS SUCH, REQUIRE A LICENCE.

*OWNERS OF THESE TELEPHONES WHO USE THEM IN HONG KONG ARE THEREFORE ACTING ILLEGALLY AND, IN ADDITION, BY CONNECTING NON- APPROVED APPARATUS TO THE LINE, ARE IN THE BREACH OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE AGREEMENT FOR TELEPHONE SERVICE WITH THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE CO. LTD.

+THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY RECOGNISES THAT CORDLESS TELEPHONES ARE A USEFUL FACILITY AND A SPECIFICATION IS NOW BEING PRODUCED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE CO. LTD. FOR CORDLESS TELEPHONES WHICH ARE SUITABLE FOR CONNECTION TO THE TELEPHONE NETWORK AND WHICH OPERATE ON AN ACCEPTABLE RADIO FREQUENCY.

+WHEN THIS WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED THE PROHIBITION ON SALES OF CORDLESS TELEPHONES THAT MEET THE ABOVE CONDITIONS WILL BE LIFTED, HE SAID.

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