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This analysis delves into the highly competitive mobile market in Hong Kong, highlighting recent trends in 3G and mobile/media convergence. The report discusses the implications of Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) on traditional fixed networks and mobile services, including the regulatory challenges and possible market mergers in the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors. It also sheds light on emerging technologies, the need for a unified regulatory framework, and the future of digital terrestrial TV (DTT) in Hong Kong. ###
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Wireless Broadband Services and Policy Concerns in Hong Kong Xu Yan HKUST Business School xuyan@ust.hk
Mobile Multi-media Services in Hong Kong • Highly competitive mobile market: • 11 2G licenses + 4 3G licenses + 7 MVNO Licenses • Market restructuring in past 12 months • Three trends in the 3G era • Mobile/media Convergence • Synergy of Corporate Resources and Strategies • Fixed/mobile Convergence
Mobile/media Convergence • Mobile + TV • Mobile + Radio • Mobile + Newspaper • Mobile + Internet Portal
Synergy of Corporate Resources • Shared channel by NOW and PCCW Mobile
Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) • Broadband Wireless Access (BWA): • Multiple Technologies: technology neutral • Short delivery period: “on-demand” high speed connectivity for temporary event • Primarily the wireless extension of conventional wireline based fixed network • An effective solution for Type II Network Interconnection
Accelerated Market Share of New Entrants in Local Fixed Network
BWA: A Solution after Withdrawing Type II Network Interconnection? Network 2 Network 1 A TBE Room MDF B Block-wiring Distribution Point C Local Exchange of Network 1 Building Street
The BWA and Fixed/Mobile Convergence • Mobile operators’ worry: will BWA pose a threat to 3G? • OFTA: BWA will complement rather than threaten 3G – at least until the technology fully matures, namely with the handoff and roaming capabilities.
Handoff between Adjacent Cells Cellular Switch DMS-MTX PSTN
Who Should Get BWA License? • Current licensing and regulatory frameworks for mobile and fixed carriers: • Separated and different • Can fixed carrier holding a BWA license provide mobile service? • No – then what about technology neutrality? • Yes – then what license? Fixed or mobile?
Who Should Get BWA License? • Can mobile carrier get a BWA license? • If yes, can they use their 3G spectrums for BWA service? • If no, how can the mobile/fixed convergence be facilitated? OFTA is positively working on the convergence of mobile and fixed carrier license and conducting a comprehensive policy review of spectrum regulation
Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) in Hong Kong • 1998 – government policy paper to introduce DTT in HK after 2002 • 1999 – technology trials of three DTT standards • 2000/2003 – two rounds public consultation • 2007 – DTT to be launched in Hong Kong • 2008 – 75% coverage in HK • 2012: Analogue switch off
Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) Fixed Reception Only 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 Both Fixed and Mobile Reception
Merger of Telecom and Broadcasting Services • DTT supports all kinds of services including: • Mobile broadcasting service • Interactive multimedia service • Text broadcast services • Telecommunications services • Merger of audio, sound, video and text services
DTT and Its Policy Implications • DTT supports mobile TV and mobile interactive multimedia service, while current licenses do not allow mobile communications • DTT offers both paid and free service while current license are separated for these two business models in accordance with the Broadcasting Ordinance A new regime to deal with the merger of telecommunications and broadcasting services is required.
Towards a Converged Regulatory Framework BROADCASTING TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY • Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA) • Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) • Information Technology Service Department (ITS)
Regulatory Framework • Communications Authority (CA): Merger of Telecommunications Authority (TA) and Broadcasting Authority (BA) • The industry don’t see any urgency of merger • Infrastructure may suffer from content-related political controversies • Policy level merger may be more critical
Spectrum Policy • Innovative royalty auction of 3G license • Consistency of renewed 2G licenses • Urgency for flexible trade of spectrum • Spectrum regulation for Digital Terrestrial TV • Comprehensive frequency policy review: • Asymmetric regulation between mobile &. wireless fixed technology?
Towards a Converged Regulatory Framework • From technology-orientated regulation towards application-orientated regulation • The political objective of telecom policy should be guaranteeing “Universal Connection” rather than guaranteeing “Universal Service” in the specific context of EoIP • Efficiency remains the economic objective of telecommunications policy, while competition between different technologies and different players remains the best option to achieve the economic objective