How Does the C-Band Issue Impact Hong Kong?

 

Via Satellite: How does the C-Band issue impact an organization such as OFTA?

Lau: Spectrum is a scarce resource. One of our spectrum policy objectives is to ensure efficient use of radio spectrum. We are of the view that the telecom and satellite players should ensure the efficient use of the spectrum by making use of the spectrum efficient technologies. 
Unlike other developing countries, Hong Kong has a good wireline infrastructure and does not rely heavily on the use of satellites for local communication.          

Via Satellite: If satellite players were to lose C-band spectrum, what would be the consequences for the  industry and for developing countries who are more reliant on satellite to provide various applications?

Lau: If satellite players were to lose C-band spectrum, the satellite operators, the broadcasters and the satellite users will be affected. In order to maintain the same capacity for providing the same number of programme channels, broadcasters will need to send their programs in digital format. TVRO and SMATV users will need to use the more expensive digital receiving systems in order to receive the programs. Some TVRO or SMATV users may decide to drop the services. This may have impact on the broadcasting and satellite industry. For those developing countries who are more reliant on satellite, they may have difficulty in securing funds to set up an alternative infrastructure.

Via Satellite: What is going to happen over the rest of the year, and is the satellite industry's position stronger now than it has been throughout the last few months?

Lau: Before WRC-07, we believe the satellite players will continue to lobby the administrations, in particular those of the developing administrations as well as the broadcasters in order to gain support from them for allocating the C-band including the extended C-band spectrum for satellite services.
 

Via Satellite: What will be the outcome of this situation?

Lau: According to Article 44 of the International Telecommunication Union Constitution, member states shall endeavor to ensure efficient use of spectrum, including the application of the latest technical advances, as soon as possible. If a decision was made purely based on this objective, WRC-07 might allocate some spectrum in the C-band — the extended C-band — to telecom players.

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