ENG-1999 — Page 408

COMMUNICATIONS, THE MEDIA AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

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and enhance Hong Kong's position as a regional broadcasting hub. Broadcasting licences are issued by the Chief Executive in Council, and administered on his behalf by the Broadcasting Authority (BA), with administrative support from the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing.

On completion of the 1998 Review of Television Policy, the Government announced in December that year a package of policy initiatives which are aimed at further advancing the broadcasting policy objectives in the light of technological developments and changing market demands.

A key policy decision arising from the review is the opening up of the television market for competition by all technically feasible means of transmission. A vibrant television market will attract investment, encourage innovation and, most important of all, bring a wider choice of services to the community. In August, the Government issued an invitation for applications for the provision of new television broadcasting services in Hong Kong. It is expected that new television broadcasting licences will be issued in 2000.

To ensure that the introduction of new broadcasting and telecommunications services would not be unduly impeded by the capacity constraint of in-building coaxial cable distribution systems, the Government conducted a review of the frequency allocations in these systems in early 1999. In July, the Telecommunications Authority promulgated an in-building frequency layout plan and related technical standards for reference by the industry.

To provide the community with access to the full range of broadcasting and telecommunications services, the Government has decided that satellite master antenna television (SMATV) systems should be allowed to receive and distribute subscription satellite television programmes and telecommunication messages. This would facilitate the introduction of multi-media services through SMATV systems to Hong Kong.

To promote efficient and effective use of the existing network infrastructure, policy decisions were made in December 1998 to allow telecommunications networks to deliver television programme services and cable television networks to deliver telecommunications services. The consultation paper on broadband interconnection issued by the Telecommunications Authority in November also covered interconnection with cable television networks.

A Broadcasting Bill is being prepared to implement the policy decision to provide a technology-neutral regulatory regime sufficiently flexible to embrace new services made possible by convergence in technologies. The bill is scheduled for introduction into the Legislative Council in 2000.

Broadcasting Authority

Licensed broadcasters are regulated by the BA, whose 12 members include nine members appointed from various sectors of the community, and three public officers. The BA's major functions are to make recommendations to the Chief Executive in Council with respect to the licensing of television and radio broadcasting services and to secure proper programme, advertising and technical standards for broadcasting licensees.