Seeking views: Director-General of Telecommunications Au Man-ho joins the Commerce, Industry & Technology Bureau's Deputy Secretary Marion Lai and Principal Assistant Secretary Tony Li to launch the spectrum policy consulation paper.

A three-month public consultation has been launched on a proposed policy framework for managing Hong Kong's radio spectrum. The move is in response to telecom operators' calls for a clearer and more predictable spectrum.

Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology Joseph Wong said today that some advanced overseas economies have recently shifted from the command and control approach to market-based arrangements for spectrum management.

"Local industry has also expressed a wish for more clarity and predictability in spectrum rights and supply, allowing them to make better-informed investment decisions," he said, adding the review aims to form a responsive and transparent policy enabling the community to reap maximum benefits from the spectrum deployment.

The proposed spectrum policy covers:

* spectrum policy objectives;

* guiding principles in spectrum management;

* spectrum supply (including spectrum trading and liberalisation);

* spectrum rights;

* spectrum pricing; and,

* a spectrum for government services.

The consultation paper proposes setting out a guiding principle that the Office of the Telecommunication Authority should adopt a market-based approach in spectrum management when there are competing commercial demands, unless there are overriding public interests to do otherwise.