Administration of the Hong Kong Telecommunications Equipment Evaluation and Certification Scheme

To keep pace with international best practices, commencing 1 October 2009, the testing and certification services for telecommunications equipment, which were previously provided by the then Office of the Telecommunications Authority, were transferred to qualified local testing laboratories. Laboratories accredited by the CA as local certification bodies (“LCBs”) can offer a full range of telecommunications equipment-testing and certification services. In 2015/16, the LCBs issued 424 equipment certificates to meet the needs of the telecommunications equipment market.

To ensure that all LCBs providing telecommunications equipment-testing and certification services meet the service quality and performance standards prescribed by OFCA, we will continue to closely monitor their performance by conducting documentary checks, plant visits and reviews on a regular basis. So far, all LCBs have been performing up to the standards prescribed by OFCA.

We constantly monitor international developments in telecommunications standardisation, and update local technical standards in order to meet the needs of the industry and the public. In 2015/16, a total of three papers were issued to consult the industry on matters related to standardisation, and two revised technical standards were approved and issued by the CA.

Frequency Assignment of In-building Co-axial Cable Distribution System Channels

In 2015/16, OFCA assisted the CA in reviewing the assignment of In-building Co-axial Cable Distribution System (“IBCCDS”) channels to HKCTV for conveyance of domestic pay TV services in conjunction with the renewal exercise of HKCTV's pay TV service licence.

Frequency Band Planning for the Introduction of New Applications

To meet the demand of the industry and the public for new applications that require the use of radio spectrum, we constantly monitor overseas developments of spectrum management and progress of related technology advancement, with a view to allocating timely new frequency bands to facilitate the introduction of these applications. In 2015/16, we conducted study on the frequency plan for the bands 57-66 GHz, 71-76 GHz/81-86 GHz and 76-81 GHz. The three frequency bands may be used for deployment of short-range devices, fixed links/mobile services and automotive radars respectively.

Management of Spectrum and Orbital Positions for Satellite Networks

Satellite spectrum and orbital positions are limited natural resources. It is our duty to ensure that the use of these resources by communications satellites registered in Hong Kong adheres to the international practices of the ITU. Following the launch of a new satellite APSTAR 9 in 2015, there were ten satellites in orbit operated by two Hong Kong companies licensed to provide satellite communications services.