The Office of the Communications Authority is set to assign 1200 MHz of the 26 GHz and 28 GHz spectrum to four mobile network operators (MNOs) in Hong Kong in the third quarter of the year.
As part of the second round of assignments, China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited (CMHK), Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT), Hutchison Telephone Company Limited (HTCL), and SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited (SmarTone) will be allocated spectrum to provide 5G services across the country.
Last February, Hong Kong’s Communications Authority (CA) invited interested companies to submit proposals for the 2,500 MHz of exclusive spectrum available in the 26/28 GHz bands to accelerate the progress of 5G technologies. The four aforementioned MNOs submitted their proposals before the April 18 deadline.
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Upon assessment, the CA decided to allocate 600 MHz of spectrum to HTCL, while CMHK, HKT, and SmarTone were each granted an extra 200 MHz, on top of the 400 MHz of spectrum that was already allotted to the three operators in 2019. This distribution ensures a fair allocation of the 600 MHz spectrum for all four MNOs.
Furthermore, as a strategic measure to enhance the efficiency of spectrum utilization, the regulatory authority restructured the allocated spectrum to enable the seamless allocation of contiguous frequency bands to each MNO.
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“The spectrum assignment will enable the MNOs to further expand their 5G networks and enhance capacity, particularly in providing better 5G services at locations with high traffic demand to meet the public expectation for high-speed and reliable mobile services, while also promoting the development of various innovative applications, thereby fostering the development of Hong Kong's smart economy,” a spokesman for the CA said.
The government also plans to conduct spectrum auctions for the 850/900 MHz, 2.3 GHz, and the recently added 6/7 GHz bands in the fourth quarter of the year, providing 510 MHz of spectrum for 5G mobile communications services, and further supporting Hong Kong's communications infrastructure and high-value-added economy.
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