ENG-1984 — Page 316

COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA

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Telecommunication services are provided by two franchised local companies, Hong Kong Telephone Company Limited and Cable and Wireless (Hong Kong) Limited.

The Postmaster General is the Telecommunications Authority and he administers the Telecommunication Ordinance and the Telephone Ordinance which govern the establishment and operation of all telecommunication services. He also acts as adviser to the government on matters concerning the provision and operation of public telecom- munication services and the technical aspects of radio and television broadcasting.

The Post Office manages the radio frequency spectrum to ensure that it is utilised efficiently, and grants licences, under the Telecommunication Ordinance, for all forms of radio communication within Hong Kong. It maintains surveillance of the radio frequency bands to detect illegal transmissions and interference emanating from sources within and around the territory. It conducts examinations leading to the issue of the Certificate of Competence in Radiotelephony or Radiotelegraphy to radio operating personnel in compliance with the International Radio Regulations. It also conducts inspections of ships' radio stations to ensure compliance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.

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In addition, the Post Office provides advisory and planning services for the communica- tions requirements of government departments, and co-ordinates and regulates the use of all radio communications sites. Radio networks planned in 1984 included a microwave network in the New Territories for the Water Supplies Department to carry telemetry and speech signals, and a mobile radio network for the Customs and Excise Department. Line communication networks planned included integrated services systems for the Royal Hong Kong Police Force and the Medical and Health Department, and a number of data communication networks for the City and New Territories Administration, the Labour Department and the Government Information Services.

The basic public telecommunication services in Hong Kong - telephone, telex and telegram – are operated by the two franchised companies on an exclusive basis. Customer premises terminal equipment is provided on a competitive basis but 'permission to connect' is required in respect of each type of equipment. Other telecommunication services may operated competitively, provided the service has been licensed under the Telecommunica- tion Ordinance.

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The internal telephone service is provided by the Hong Kong Telephone Company Limited. With over two million telephones served by more than 1.6 million lines, the territory has a density of around 38 telephones for every 100 people.

Hong Kong's international telephone service is provided jointly by the Hong Kong Telephone Company Limited and Cable and Wireless (HK) Limited. A world-wide operator-connected service is available and International Direct Dialling can be made to more than 100 overseas administrations.

International telecommunication services which include public telegram, telex, telephone, television programmes transmission/reception, leased circuits, ship-shore and air-ground communications are provided by Cable and Wireless (HK) Limited under an exclusive licence granted under the Telecommunication Ordinance. The company also operates the local telex and telegram service. International facilities are provided through land and submarine cables, radio systems and satellite links from the Stanley earth station which operates via satellites over the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Other than the basic services provided by the two franchised companies, a number of telecommunication services are operated by private companies under appropriate non- exclusive licences granted by the Telecommunications Authority. Such services as radio