Hong Kong gears up for dawn of 5G mobile services
Mobile network operators and industry regulator remain at odds over speed of preparations for 5G, including the release of new spectrum to the industry
For more than 20 years, Hong Kong’s extensive, reliable and efficient telecommunications industry has bolstered the position of the city as a global trading and financial services powerhouse.
Industry leaders, however, are not resting on their laurels as they push for speedy preparations to usher in advanced 5G mobile technologies, which could further grease the wheels of commerce and innovation in this highly connected metropolis.
“Hong Kong is always at the forefront of bringing in new technologies,” said Eliza Lee Man-ching, the city’s director-general of communications. “The way forward is 5G.”
Lee, who heads the Office of the Communications Authority, the executive arm of the industry regulator, said Hong Kong’s advantage is that there are no restrictions in the number of mobile services providers. These firms are also free to compete in mobile spectrum auctions and expand their networks.
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the United Nations agency overseeing development of the IMT-2020 standard for 5G technologies, recently said the universal specifications for 5G are on track to be in place by 2020.
Ahead of that date, the ITU expects major telecommunications network operators around the world to pursue early technical tests, market trials and deployments of 5G technologies based on anticipated developments slated for IMT-2020.