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Hong Kong: Telco regulator keeps anticipation high ahead of 3G spectrum renewals

By  |  October 8, 2013

Hong Kong’s telecommunications watchdog, the Office of the Communications Authority, has not yet decided on re-assigning 3G spectrum to major wireless operators, but has vowed to make a decision by the end of the month, say reports.

As a result, some of the largest wireless companies, including CSL, SmarTone Telecommunications, Three Hong Kong and HKT, have all made public comments on their hopes that the government would re-assign them the spectrum before the licenses expire on October 2016. While the Ofca said it will allow a two-year window to renew 3G licenses to operators, the companies are calling upon the government to establish automatic license renewals.

Ofca has opposed the option, however, and instead is considering whether to renew the licenses, auction off the spectrum, or license some of the spectrum and auction off the rest to encourage competition.

Full Content: South China Morning Post

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