The Communications Authority today announced its decision to make the 580 MHz spectrum available in the 5 GHz band to provide public mobile services on a shared basis.

The 5 GHz Shared Band consists of four sub-bands of frequencies in 5150 - 5250 MHz, 5250 - 5350 MHz, 5470 - 5725 MHz and 5725 - 5850 MHz.

Mobile network operators can apply to use the band to provide public mobile services.

The authority conducted a public consultation in February on its proposal to make the 5 GHz Shared Band available and has received general support from the industry.

It said the decision will enable Hong Kong to become one of the first few economies in the world to adopt advanced mobile technologies in the 5 GHz band to provide faster public mobile services.

Mobile users will benefit from the increased service quality and capacity, it added.