Letters | Remote Hong Kong village can expect better connectivity this year
Hoi Ha village is among those covered by a project under the government’s subsidy scheme to extend fibre-based networks to villages in remote areas. The project will be undertaken under a tender awarded to Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) Limited, which is now carrying out the implementation work.
The roll-out of fibre-based networks involves not only planning and design, and the laying of the network, but also applications for various statutory permits, approvals for road excavation work, and so on.
In particular, for some remote villages, engineering works can encounter more difficulties, such as when there are no leading roads or when they must pass through country parks. Ofca has been monitoring the progress of the works, and it is expected that the newly built fibre-based network could be extended to Hoi Ha in the fourth quarter of this year.
As for the mobile network coverage in Hoi Ha, Ofca has been encouraging mobile network operators to explore means to enhance their coverage in the area. We understand that they have been unable to use suitable sites within the village to install radio base stations due to objections from local residents or failure to obtain the consent of property owners for the installations.
We, however, note that one operator has recently obtained approval for setting up a new radio base station at a public toilet in the vicinity of the village. It is expected that the installation could be completed in the second quarter of this year and the mobile coverage in Hoi Ha will be improved when the new station comes into service.
Sin Kwok-kei, head of regulatory, Office of the Communications Authority
