ENG-1985 — Page 297

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COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA ·

ships' radio stations to ensure compliance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.

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. Major systems planned in 1985 included a computerised mobilising radio network for the Fire Services Department, a facsimile system for the Trade Department and the introduction of a number of electronic PABXs for various government departments.

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 be 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 2.2 million telephones served by more than 1.7 million lines, the territory has a density of around 41 telephones for every 100 people.

A Public Data Network using a special transmission switching technique, known as packet switching, to provide the public with more advanced data communication facilities was also introduced by the company at the end of 1984. The network helped to introduce 'cashless shopping', as it enabled a pilot service in the electronic transfer of funds to go into operation at selected retail outlets.

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 130 overseas destinations.

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.

To further improve Hong Kong's telecommunication facilities for communication with Macau, a new Hong Kong-Macau digital microwave radio system was also brought into operation. The new system has a capacity for data transmission at 34 mega-bits or an equivalent of 480 voice channels.

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 paging, mobile radiotelephone, data/facsimile transmission, videotex, electronic mail, community repeater and one-way data message are offered competitively by a number of organisations. Radio paging services are popular with over 220 000 pagers being in service in 1985.