Now that two new mobile base stations in country parks have opened, 95% of the popular hiking trails are covered by at least one local mobile network, the Office of the Telecommunications Authority says.

Apart from the Long Ke base station launched in August, the Nga Ying Shan base station on Lantau Island has been put into service. It covers Tai O, part of Lantau Trail Section 7 and hiking trails nearby.  

Three more mobile base stations are scheduled to be completed by mid-2008, enhancing mobile coverage in Sai Kung East, Tai Lam Chung and southern Lantau.

The authority has updated mobile coverage information in country parks for the public, and 161 digital maps have been produced and uploaded here.

Individual blind spots in country park areas cannot be completely eliminated. Hikers and country parks visitors should bring along communication devices other than mobile phones, such as walkie-talkies.

Click here for more information on emergency communications.