The Government is expected to announce the companies chosen to operate broadband networks based on wireless technology within the next few weeks.
'We are now at the final stage of our evaluation exercise,' said Information Technology & Broadcasting Secretary Kwong Ki-chi.
Mr Kwong said the Government had received 14 applications, and four to six licences would be granted.
The Government was also close to disclosing which companies would be granted external-facilities licences to cover both satellites and submarine and new over-land cables, he said.
'We will soon complete the evaluation of these applications,' he said.
The Office of the Telecommunications Authority has said it expects long-distance tariffs to continue to fall after some telecommunications firms are allowed to build their own external facilities.
