XN000022-1994-11-30 — Page 45

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1994

FIXED TELECOM NETWORKS

* *

FOLLOWING IS A QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP WRITTEN REPLY BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY):

AND A

SIU,

THREE NETWORKS,

QUESTION AS THE GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO LICENSE

CONSORTIA TO

TELECOMMUNICATIONS OPERATE FIXED WILL THE GOVERNMENT INFORM THIS COUNCIL :

REPLY:

(A)

HOW IT CAN ENSURE THAT THE THREE CONSORTIA WILL THEIR SERVICE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE IN COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT; AND

START

A FAIR AND

(B)

WHAT IS THE PROGRESS IN THE NEGOTIATION THREE CONSORTIA AND HONG KONG TELECOM ON THE UP OF A JOINT NETWORK?

BETWEEN THE SETTING

MR PRESIDENT,

THE FIXED TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK SERVICES (FTNS) LICENCES TO BE GRANTED

INCLUDING HONG KONG TELEPHONE TO THE FOUR OPERATORS, COMPANY, TO PROVIDE COMPETITIVE LOCAL FIXED NETWORK SERVICES AFTER THE EXPIRY OF HONG KONG TELEPHONE'S MONOPOLY ON JUNE 30, 1995 WILL INCLUDE AND ENFORCE A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF COMPETITIVE SAFEGUARDS TO PROMOTE FAIR COMPETITION. THESE INCLUDE:

OBLIGATIONS ON EACH OPERATOR TO INTERCONNECT WITH ALL NETWORKS EFFICIENTLY, PROMPTLY AND ON A

BASIS;

IN

EVENT OF THE

DISPUTE,

THE

OTHER

NON-DISCRIMINATORY TELECOMMUNICATIONS

FAIR

AUTHORITY (TA) IS EMPOWERED TO INTERVENE AND DETERMINE TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR INTERCONNECTION.

PROHIBIT ΤΑ ΤΟ

TOGETHER

ANTI-COMPETITIVE BUNDLING OF

DETAILED PROVISIONS TO PROTECT CONSUMER INTERESTS WITH POWERS FOR THE PRACTICES SUCH AS COLLUSION BETWEEN OPERATORS, SERVICES TO RESTRICT CONSUMER CHOICE, ABUSE OF MARKET POWER, PREDATORY PRICING, DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES, ETC.

OF

NUMBERING PLAN REQUIREMENTS то COMPLY WITH THE TELEPHONE ADMINISTERED BY THE TA TO ENSURE FAIR ALLOCATION AND USE TELEPHONE NUMBERS BY THE FOUR COMPETING OPERATORS.

ARRANGEMENTS TO

OF HONG KONG

THE PRICE CAPPING ENFORCE TELEPHONE'S BASIC CHARGES AND TO REQUIRE ANY OPERATOR WHO IS SUBMIT THE IN A DOMINANT POSITION TO PROVIDE A SERVICE TO CHARGES FOR THAT SERVICE FOR APPROVAL BY THE TA.

/IN ADDITION,