The Broadcasting and Telecommunications Authorities may be merged under a new Government proposal, Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology John Tsang says, adding that a three-month consultation will be held early next year.

Mr Tsang said hopefully by the middle of 2005, the Government will be able to collate all the input and start implementing the proposal.

He said the Government intends to set up a single, lean and skilled, and responsive regulator overseeing the entire electronic communications sector.

"Firstly, we want a single regulatory body that responds to converging technologies and services. Secondly, we want a regulator that is lean and skilled. I am referring to a new regulatory philosophy as exemplified by the international paradigm shift from detailed rule making to competition-based regulation of the communications sector. Detailed rules and guidelines could quickly become obsolete or worse still, hurdles to innovation and investment," he said.

A new regulatory philosophy

"We suggest adopting a new regulatory philosophy that the regulator will intervene only when it is necessary to do so. Thirdly, we also want a regulator that is responsive to competing demands from different sectors, and able to balance the aspiration of the public and the needs of the industry," he added.

"I envisage an active tripartite arrangement where the regulator works as a partner with the stakeholders from the industry and the public."

When asked whether the merger will bring major change to the regulatory regime, Mr Tsang said there could be changes, adding that the Government needs to look at the details and input from the consultations.

"But conceivably, it is a possibility that the whole licensing regime could change as well, together with the regulation."