XN000022-1993-06-30 — Page 16

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993

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OFFICE OF TELECOMS AUTHORITY OPENS

THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, ANNOUNCED THAT HONG KONG'S NEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY BODY, THE OFFICE OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY (OFTA), WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN TOMORROW (THURSDAY).

THE

THE OFFICE, WHICH IS ABSORBING THE FORMER TELECOMMUNICATIONS BRANCH OF THE POST OFFICE, WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ASPECTS OF REGULATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN HONG KONG.

OFTA WILL BE HEADED BY THE NEWLY APPOINTED DIRECTOR-GENERAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS, MR ALEXANDER ARENA.

OF

MR ARENA HAS HAD EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN REGULATING TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKETS DURING HIS TIME AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF THE AUSTRALIAN REGULATORY BODY AUSTEL.

HE HAS BEEN EMPLOYED AS A TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT IN THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SINCE FEBRUARY.

"THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OFTA MARKS A MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATION IN HONG KONG," MR SIU SAID.

"ONE OF THE MOST PRESSING AND DIFFICULT REGULATORY TASKS FACING US IS THE INTRODUCTION OF LOCAL NETWORK COMPETITION," MR SIU ADDED.

"IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE HAVE A SPECIALIST REGULATORY BODY THAT CAN TAKE THE COMPLEX DECISIONS NECESSARY TO STEER HONG KONG THROUGH THE TRANSITION TO AN INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE TELECOMS

** MARKET, НЕ SAID.

THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS, MR ARENA, SAID: "A HIGH PRIORITY WILL BE PLACED ON BUILDING UP ADDITIONAL EXPERTISE IN FINANCIAL, ECONOMIC AND LEGAL DISCIPLINES TO EQUIP OFTA TO CARRY OUT ITS NEW REGULATORY FUNCTIONS."

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"WE ALSO EXPECT LOCAL INDUSTRY AND CONSUMERS TO PLAY A ACTIVE ROLE IN ADVISING US OF THEIR REGULATORY CONCERNS. TO THIS OFTA WILL BE SETTING UP A CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY TO COLLECT VIEWS FROM USERS AND OPERATORS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, HE ADDED.

T

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