ENG-2018 — Page 347

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Media and Communications

Code on Access to Government Information

As an open and accountable government, all bureaus and departments make information available to the public according to the Code on Access to Information. The code stipulates that bureaus and departments should work on the basis that information requested will be released, and sets out the grounds on which disclosure may be refused. The public may complain to the Ombudsman if any bureau or department does not comply with the provisions of the code.

Communications Authority

The Communications Authority (CA), an independent statutory body established under the Communications Authority Ordinance, is the unified regulator of Hong Kong's broadcasting and telecommunications industries. The CA comprises 10 non-officials from various sectors of the community and two public officers. It regulates the industries according to the Broadcasting Ordinance, Telecommunications Ordinance, Communications Authority Ordinance, Broadcasting (Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance, Trade Descriptions Ordinance and Competition Ordinance. It also enforces the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Ordinance.

The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA), the CA's executive arm and secretariat, helps the CA administer and enforce these ordinances.

Telecommunications

The government aims to facilitate the development of the telecommunications industry and enhance Hong Kong's position as the region's telecommunications hub. The long-standing pro- competition policy and pro-market approach has encouraged an abundant supply of quality and state-of-the-art services for consumers and businesses at competitive prices.

Mobile Communications

Four mobile network operators provide second-generation (2G), third-generation (3G) and fourth-generation (4G) services, offering mobile data at downlink speeds of up to 1.1 Gbps. These networks were serving 21.86 million mobile subscribers as at December, representing a population penetration rate of 292 per cent, one of the world's highest. Among them, 21.13 million were users of 3G or 4G services. Mobile data usage reached 51,442 terabytes, a 40 per cent rise over December 2017. On average, each resident used 5,922 megabytes per month in the past 12 months. The World Economic Forum's Global Competitive Report 2018 ranked Hong Kong first among 140 economies in terms of the number of mobile-cellular telephone subscriptions per 100 population.

Fixed Communications

There is no preset limit on the number of licences that can be issued for fixed communications services, nor any deadline for the submission of applications. As at December, there were 27 local fixed telephone network licensees, providing 88 fixed-line or internet phone services per 100 households. It is the government's policy to promote facility-based competition in the local fixed services market. As a result, 89 per cent and 79 per cent of households could choose

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