ENG-1984 — Page 317

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COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA

paging, mobile radiotelephone, data/facsimile transmission, videotex and electronic mail are offered competitively by a number of organisations. Radio paging services are very popular. Around 170 000 pagers are in service, though many of these cover a limited area such as a hospital or a hotel.

In 1984, three public non-exclusive telecommunication service licences were granted to provide and operate public mobile radiotelephone services throughout the territory for vehicles, vessels and hand-held portable equipment. Communications Service Ltd, a subsidiary of Hong Kong Telephone, started its service in January and the other two licensees, China Telecom (Systems) Ltd and Hutchison Radio Telephone Ltd, began their services later in the year.

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