Public consultation on reassignment of spectrum in 2.5/2.6 GHz band launched
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (SCED) and the Communications Authority (CA) today (September 19) jointly launched a public consultation on the proposed arrangements for the reassignment of 50MHz of spectrum in the 2.5/2.6GHz band for the provision of public mobile services as well as the related spectrum utilisation fee (SUF).
The 50MHz of spectrum in the 2.5/2.6GHz band is currently deployed for the provision of fourth generation (4G) mobile services, with the existing assignments due to expire in May2028. The good radio propagation characteristics of spectrum in the band facilitates the deployment of radio base stations with wider geographical coverage, enabling the continued provision of public mobile services in a cost effective manner.
"As there are likely to be competing demands for the spectrum, the CA proposes to reassign it by way of auction. Under the technology neutral approach, prospective spectrum assignees may make use of the spectrum acquired for the provision of 4G, 5G or more advanced mobile services to meet the future demand for high-speed mobile broadband services and other innovative mobile technology applications," a spokesman for the CA said.
Similar to other spectrum assigned for public mobile services by way of auction, the SCED proposes that the SUF should reflect the full market value, and will set the auction reserve prices nearer the time.
"The auction ensures that spectrum as a scarce public resource will be put into the hands of those who value it the most and will consequently put it to the most efficient use, thereby benefiting the general public at large," a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) said.
Views and comments from the industry and other interested parties on the consultation paper are welcome on or before October 31. After taking into account the views and comments received, the SCED and the CA target to make their respective decisions no later than May2025, thereby giving a three-year advance notice to the incumbent spectrum assignees before the expiry of the existing assignments.
The consultation paper can be downloaded from the websites of the CEDB and the CA.
Government recruitment talks in Beijing and Shanghai to start tomorrow
The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) will organise recruitment talks in Shanghai and Beijing from tomorrow (September 20) to September 24 to introduce the work of the Administrative Officer (AO) and Executive Officer (EO) grades, their recruitment processes and career development opportunities to Hong Kong students studying in Mainland universities with aspirations to serve the community, and encourage them to join the civil service of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government.
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, said, "Last year, the CSB sent representatives to universities in Beijing and Shanghai to conduct recruitment talks for the first time and received enthusiastic response. In view of this, we have extended our outreach to four different universities this year, namely East China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Renmin University of China, and China University of Political Science and Law. This allows more Hong Kong students to learn about the work of the AO and EO grades, as well as the career development opportunities offered by the HKSAR Government for young people.
"Civil service recruitment is conducted under the principle of open and fair competition. Our recruitment work of the Government seeks to attract not only local graduates, but also individuals of different backgrounds, including Mainland and overseas graduates, as well as the working population, to join the Government. As more and more local students pursue further studies on the Mainland, there has been an increase in the number of applicants with Mainland qualifications applying for civil service positions in the HKSAR. The joint recruitment exercise for four civil service graduate grades is currently open for applications. I encourage those interested in joining the Government and contributing to Hong Kong's developments to seize this opportunity."
The AO and EO recruitment talks to be held in Beijing and Shanghai organised by the CSB will be conducted by experienced AOs and EOs. A young AO and a young EO who have studied or lived on the Mainland will also share their application and work experiences as well as answer questions from the participants. Additionally, they will also take part in the Gathering with Hong Kong Students and Youth in East China Region to Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai (SHETO) to promote civil service careers to the participating youths.
The application deadline for the joint recruitment exercise for the four civil service graduate grades (i.e. AO, EO II, Assistant Trade Officer II and Transport Officer II) is October 4. Applicants who have not attained the requisite Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) and/or Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) results may also apply. Arrangements will be made for them to take a designated CRE and BLNST tentatively scheduled for December 7 in cities including Beijing and Shanghai. For details of the joint recruitment exercise, please visit the CSB's website at www.csb.gov.hk.
Last year, the CSB organised recruitment talks for the AO and EO grades at Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, the Office of the HKSAR Government in Beijing and the SHETO. These talks attracted an online and in-person participation of more than 2 000 Hong Kong people studying or living in Beijing and Shanghai.
