XN000022-1989-11-08 — Page 22

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1989

1

CABLE

REFERRING TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT THREE MONTHS AGO OF HONG KONG COMMUNICATIONS' SELECTION AS THE FUTURE CABLE TELEVISION LICENSEE, SHE SAID IN ADDITION ΤΟ CARRYING CABLE TELEVISION. THE NETWORK TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CABLE TELEVISION OPERATOR WOULD ALSO ALLOWED TO CARRY NON-FRANCHISED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES.

BE

THESE WOULD BE MAINLY BUSINESS-ORIENTED DATA AND FACSIMILE SERVICES. AND THE SECOND NETWORK WOULD BE OPERATING IN DIRECT COMPETITION WITH THE EXISTING NETWORK OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY.

"CUSTOMERS WILL FOR THE FIRST TIME HAVE A CHOICE OF WIRED NETWORKS. IN THE SAME WAY THAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE A CHOICE OF MOBILE TELEPHONE AND PAGING NETWORKS.

"THE ENORMOUS SUCCESS OF PAGING AND MOBILE TELEPHONE SERVICES IN THE LOCAL MARKET AMPLY DEMONSTRATES THE ADVANTAGES OF COMPETITIVE PROVISION." SHE SAID.

POSITIVE

THE PRESENCE OF A SECOND NETWORK WOULD ALSO HAVE A STIMULATING EFFECT ON THE ENTIRE NON-FRANCHISED TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR.

"WE EXPECT TO SEE A WIDER RANGE OF SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AT LOWER PRICES." SHE SAID.

AS HONG KONG ALREADY HAD A FIRST CLASS TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE. THE SECOND NETWORK SHOULD IMPROVE ITS COMPETITIVE POSITION AND ENHANCE ITS ATTRACTIVENESS TO OVERSEAS COMPANIES AS THE LEADING INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL CENTRE IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN REGION.

MRS CHAN SAID HONG KONG CABLE COMMUNICATIONS HAD BEEN GEARING UF FOR THE COMMENCEMENT OF ITS CABLE TELEVISION NETWORK CONSTRUCTION IN THE EARLY PART OF 1990.

IN SPITE OF THE ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF DETAILED PREPARATORY WORK REQUIRED FOR A PROJECT OF THIS MAGNITUDE. THE COMPANY APPEARED TO BF MAKING GOOD PROGRESS AT THIS STAGE TO MEET ITS TARGET OF BEGINNING CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE IN 1991.

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FOR ITS PART. THE GOVERNMENT WAS CURRENTLY PREPARING DRAFT LEGISLATION TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE ISSUING OF LICENCES TO THE COMPANY.

"WE EXPECT TO PRESENT THESE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS TO THIS COUNCIL EARLY IN THE COMING YEAR. MRS CHAN SAID.

CABLE TELEVISION OFFERED THE PROSPECT OF A WIDER RANGE OF ENTERTAINMENT IN HONG KONG. SHE SAID.

HOME

"FROM THE FOUR CHANNELS

NOW AVAILABLE. VIEWING CHOICE WILL INCREASE TO BETWEEN 15 AND 20 CHANNELS OF NEWS, ENTERTAINMENT AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL AT A COST OF $120 TO $150 PER MONTH FOR THE FIRST

THREE YEARS.

/"MINORITY INTERESTS