City Telecom chief steps up pressure for new free-to-air television licence

City Telecom (CTI) chairman Ricky Wong Wai-kay will step up the pressure on the government to grant new free-to-air television licences after waiting more than 1,000 days and investing HK$300 million.

The South China Morning Post learnt that the new administration had yet to discuss the granting of free domestic television licences, which three telecommunications operators including CTI had applied for under the previous government.

Wong said he would lobby politicians to gain more public support for the case.

"This is infuriating," Wong said on radio yesterday.

"Whether to give a licence depends on: one, public opinion; two, approval from the Broadcasting Authority [now the Communications Authority]; and three, an assessment of the television market," he said. "I do not see why the government still can't grant us a licence."

CTI submitted its application in 2009 and Wong has since invested HK$300 million setting up a new broadcasting station.

The Post learnt the matter was delayed in the previous government because free-to-air station ATV had sought a judicial review to stop the licence issuance.