ENG-2006 — Page 425

Communications, the Media and Information Technology 357

Satellite Communications

Two Hong Kong companies, APT Satellite Company Limited and Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat), hold licences to operate and provide satellite communication services. At year-end, the two satellite companies were operating eight satellites.

Combating Unsolicited Electronic Messages

To tackle the problem of Unsolicited Electronic Messages (UEMs), the Government announced in February 2005 a package of measures under the so-called 'STEPS' campaign1. New anti-spam legislation is one of the proposed measures. Taking into account the views submitted to a public consultation on the legislative proposal, the Government introduced the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Bill into the Legislative Council in July 2006.

International Activities

Hong Kong has been an active player in international telecommunications forums. It is part of the China delegation to conferences and meetings convened by the ITU and participates as an independent member at the meetings of the Asia- Pacific Telecommunity and the Telecommunications and Information Working Group of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Hong Kong also plays an active part in the initiative to implement the APEC Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Conformity Assessment of Telecommunications Equipment.

The ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006, a mega exhibition-cum-forum event organised by the ITU, also known as the 'Olympics' of the telecommunications industry, was held in Hong Kong from December 4 to 8, 2006. It was the first time that this prestigious international event was held outside Geneva, home base of ITU. Mr Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Professor Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank, Bangladesh and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, officiated at the opening ceremony.

Under the theme 'Living the Digital World', the ITU TELECOM WORLD 2006 showcased the latest innovation and development in information and communications technology around the world and provided an invaluable platform for exchanging views on the regulatory policies and for opportunities for business. networking. By hosting the event, Hong Kong's role as the gateway to the Mainland market and Hong Kong's image as the world's events capital and telecommunications hub were further enhanced. The event attracted almost 62 000 visitors from 141 countries, including more than 950 ministers, Chief Executive Officers and other VIPs. It generated about $900 million of direct economic benefit to Hong Kong.

1

STEPS stands for strengthening existing regulatory measures, technical solutions, education, partnerships and statutory measures.