ENG-1993 — Page 374

COMMUNICATIONS AND THE MEDIA

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from the Middle East to Japan. The company has further plans to launch a second satellite, AsiaSat-2, in early 1995. Another company established in Hong Kong in 1992, APT Satellite Company Limited, plans to launch two regional telecommunications satellites, APSTAR-1 and APSTAR-2, in 1994 and 1995, respectively.

The new telecommunications regulatory body, the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA), was established on July 1. This marked a significant milestone in the development of telecommunications regulation in Hong Kong. OFTA has not only taken over all the tasks previously performed by the Telecommunications Branch of the Post Office, but is also charged with major responsibilities to steer Hong Kong through the transition to an increasingly competitive and complex telecommunications market.

OFTA is headed by the Director-General of Telecommunications, who has been concurrently appointed by the Governor as the Telecommunications Authority under the Telecommunication Ordinance. The Director-General of Telecommunications administers the Telecommunication Ordinance and the Telephone Ordinance, which govern the establishment and operation of all telecommunications services. He also acts as an adviser to the government on matters concerning the development of public telecommunications services, and is a member of the Broadcasting Authority.

Another major function carried out by OFTA is the management of the radio spectrum. This comprises the planning and allocation of the spectrum to radio users, investigating and eliminating radio interference, co-ordinating the use of radio frequencies with neighbouring administrations, and inspecting radio equipment to ensure its suitability for use in Hong Kong. To cope with the increasing volume and complexity of the frequency co-ordination work, OFTA upgraded its spectrum management computer system during the year.

Under the Telecommunication Ordinance, OFTA issues licences for all forms of radio communications in Hong Kong. It conducts examinations of radio-operating personnel and issues certificates to suitably qualified persons in compliance with the Radio Regula- tions of the International Telecommunication Union. It also inspects ship radio and radar installations.

OFTA also provides advisory and planning services for the communications require- ments of government departments and subvented institutions, co-ordinates and regulates the use of radio communications sites, monitors the technical performance of broadcast services and investigates complaints concerning reception quality.

Broadcasting Authority

The regulation of commercial television and sound broadcasting is the responsibility of the Broadcasting Authority, a statutory body established in September 1987. The authority has 12 members, nine of whom are appointed non-official members representing a cross-section of the community, and three government officers. Its major function is to secure the programme, advertising and technical standards of broadcasting licensees, through provisions in the Television Ordinance, the Telecommunication Ordinance and the Broadcasting Authority Ordinance. In April, the authority's jurisdiction was extended to cover subscription television, which was introduced in October. Other licensees include the two commercial radio, one satellite television and two wireless television stations.

During the year, the authority advised the government on the terms and conditions under which the licence for the subscription television service was issued. The authority