Issue No.:46 Date: 1 Feb 2007

Public Consultation on Digital Broadcasting: Mobile TV I have urged the Government to set a timetable for the introduction and regulation of digital broadcasting services for a long time with a view to facilitating our industry to be well prepared for the business opportunities emerged. A consultation paper on mobile TV services was issued last Friday. The four major areas under concerns are:  Spectrum availability – whether the spectrum in Band III, L Band and two single frequency network multiplexes in the UHF Band should be made available for mobile TV services; Spectrum allocation – whether to adopt 1) a service-neutral approach by letting investors to decide on their own on the services to be provided; 2) a conventional approach by assigning frequencies for the use of specific digital broadcasting services; or 3) a pro-mobile TV approach by giving priority to allocate frequencies to mobile TV; Spectrum assignment – whether or not to adopt a market-based approach to assign frequencies by auction; and to charge a spectrum utilization fee for spectrum uses; Licensing arrangement – whether mobile TV programme services should be licensed and regulated under the Broadcasting Ordinance. For the broadcasters and communication services operators, attention should be paid especially on spectrum management and allocation. There may be a spectrum resources competition among mobile TV services, other digital broadcasting services, such as digital terrestrial television (DTT) and digital audio broadcasting (DAB), and telecommunications services when they operate in the same frequency bands. The Government will draw reference from the outcome of this consultation when revisiting certain regulatory arrangements on the implementation of DTT and DAB services, which directly affects the digital content sector and software sector as well. For its importance, an implementation framework will be drafted out for a second round consultation based on the result of this round. Hence, I urge you to read through the consultation to have a further understanding. If you have any comments, you can send to wwchong@citb.gov.hk by 25 April 2007 or you may share with me by dropping me a few lines at cksin@sinchungkai.org.hk . CK Sin Panels Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting Next meeting: 6 February 2007 [Agenda] Public consultation on proposed spectrum policy framework Issues relating to the editorial independence of Radio Television Hong Kong Consultation paper on mobile TV Bill Committees Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Legco Brief] [Content of Bill] Next meeting: 2 February 2007 [Agenda] Unsolicited Electronic Messages Bill [Legco Brief] [Content of Bill] Next meeting: 28 Feburary 2007 [Agenda] Motions 7 February 2007 Expeditiously implementing the construction of cross-boundary transport infrastructures between Hong Kong and the Mainland. Urging the Housing Authority to grant rent remission to public rental housing tenants and expeditiously reduce the rent. Council questions IT manpower (31 January 2007)

Activities Budget Forum 2007 – How to Better Utilize the Fiscal Surplus? Thanks to the promising returns from the stock market and revenue gained from land sales, tax experts estimate the government’s fiscal surplus will be much higher than its previous forecast. It is vital to well utilize the fiscal revenues for the benefit of Hong Kong in the long run. Experts from various sectors will share their views. The forum is organized by the Democratic Party. Date: 10 February 2007 (Saturday) Time: 2:30-5:30pm Venue: The Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong, Rm 704, 3 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong For details and registration, please visit here or contact Miss Lam at 2537-2319. Copyright protection discussion forum   Issues covered in the consultation document of copyright protection in the digital environment carry wide social implications. Here is a chance to voice out your views. Date: 3 February 2007 (Saturday) Time: 10:00am-12:00pm For details, please click here. A Date with IT Election Committee Members A Group of IT Subsector Election Committee Members would like to invite all IT professionals to join the networking session and to discuss the upcoming Chief Executive Election. Date: 2 March 2007 (Friday) Time: 6:00pm – 8:30pm Venue: Cliftons Quarry Bay, 6/F Lincoln House, Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay, HK Admission: Free VIP: Nominated Chief Executive Candidates will be invited ACT NOW to register. Please send your name and contact number to registration@itvoice.hk . For enquiry, please contact Mr. Leung at 9173-5967. News Review of the Regulatory Framework for Universal Service Arrangements Consultation paper was issued to review the universal service obligation arrangements. Comments can be submitted to universalservice@ofta.gov.hk by 28 February 2007. Consultation on Digital Broadcasting: Mobile TV The consultation aimed at seeking views on the introduction and regulation of mobile TV on four major regulatory aspects, namely, spectrum availability, spectrum allocation, spectrum assignment and licensing arrangements. Submissions can be sent to wwchong@citb.gov.hk by 25 April 2007. Copyright Protection in the Digital Environment Consultation document can be downloaded here. Please send your views to co_review@citb.gov.hk by 30 April 2007. My column Don’t overlook IT infrastructure (30 Dec 2006) Why does the Government miscalculate financial surplus? (5 Jan 2007) Enhancing our lives with ubiquitous network technology (12 Jan 2007) Be aware of our enrollment in the China’s 11th Five-Year Plan (19 Jan 2007) Action agenda on boosting Hong Kong’s competitiveness under national 11st Five-Year Plan lacks innovation (25 Jan 2007) If you like to comment on my articles, please drop me a few lines of words. (column@sinchungkai.org.hk) As an elected legislator, I always love to know your views. If you have anything would like to share with me, you can either email me or make an appointment for an office visit or home visit. Please leave your name, contact number, and discussion topic via email, and my office will follow up your request with phone calls accordingly.

This is a bi-weekly online newsletter. Published on every alternate Thursday during my term in the LegCo, it is designed to keep the IT professionals and the public in touch with what I am doing. For any questions, comments, concerns, subscription or unsubscription, please send to cksin@sinchungkai.org.hk.