Hong Kong Enhances SIM Card Registration with Instant Verification via iAM Smart App Starting October 1.

"iAM Smart" as default registration method for Hong Kong identity card holders in completing real-name registration for pre-paid SIM cards from October 1

The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) announced today (September 27) the latest enhanced arrangement of the Real-name Registration Programme for SIM Cards (Real-name Registration Programme). Starting from October 1, Hong Kong identity (HKID) card holders completing real-name registration for pre-paid cards (PPS cards) via telecommunications service providers' online registration platforms can by default register and verify their identities through the mobile application "iAM Smart" so that they can instantly complete the registration. The enhancement aims to ensure the effective implementation of the Real-name Registration Programme and enable members of the public to activate their PPS cards more conveniently.

According to the Telecommunications (Registration of SIM Cards) Regulation (the Regulation), Hong Kong residents must use HKID cards for real-name registration. If members of the public choose not to use "iAM Smart" for real-name registration for PPS cards, telecommunications service providers will manually verify the registration information submitted upon receipt of the relevant registration requests, and the relevant PPS cards will be activated after completing the real-name registration procedures. OFCA has already requested telecommunications service providers to deploy additional resources and manpower to process such verification work. Users in need may contact their respective telecommunications service providers for details.

"To assist the enforcement agencies in combating fraudsters exploiting false information for registrations, OFCA has been maintaining close contact with telecommunications service providers and the Police, and has constantly requested telecommunications service providers to enhance their registration platforms, taking into account the operational experience since the full implementation of the Real-name Registration Programme in February last year. The digital identity authentication function of "iAM Smart" can help verify the identities of those who complete real-name registration with their HKID cards, thereby further ensuring the effective implementation of the Real-name Registration Programme. We urge members of the public to use "iAM Smart" for instant completion of the real-name registration procedures, making it easier to activate their PPS cards," a spokesman for OFCA said.

To help the public understand more about the relevant enhancement, OFCA and the Digital Policy Office (DPO) jointly conducted publicity and education activities in Mong Kok today, and arranged "iAM Smart" mobile registration teams to assist members of the public in registering for "iAM Smart" on-site. Staff members of OFCA also distributed leaflets and souvenirs to remind members of the public not to purchase or resell PPS cards that have allegedly completed real-name registration.

In addition,OFCA has requested telecommunications service providers to step up their inspection of user information of registered PPS cards and refer suspicious cases to the Police for follow-up to assist in combating phone deception. As of end August this year, telecommunications service providers had rejected around 3 million registration requests as clients failed to provide information that meets the registration requirements, and had deregistered around 2.64 million non-compliant PPS cards. Earlier, based on reports from telecommunications service providers, thePolice successfully arrested suspects for using false identity information to register a large number of PPS cards, including the telephone deception case involving a transnational crime syndicate as announced last month.

"To avoid contravening the relevant laws, members of the public must complete real-name registration with their own original identity document, and traders should not assist any persons in using the identity document of a third party in completing the registration. OFCA will continue to carry out a series of monitoring actions to ensure that telecommunications service providers comply with the requirements of the Regulation and the relevant guidelines,"the spokesman added.

Details of the Real-name Registration Programme are available at OFCA's thematic website (www.ofca.gov.hk/simreg/en). For further information about the "iAM Smart" services, please visit the DPO's "iAM Smart" thematic website (www.iamsmart.gov.hk/en/).

"iAM Smart" as default registration method for Hong Kong identity card holders in completing real-name registration for pre-paid SIM cards from October 1 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

"iAM Smart" as default registration method for Hong Kong identity card holders in completing real-name registration for pre-paid SIM cards from October 1 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

National Day Fireworks Display to be held at 9pm on October 1

The National Day Fireworks Display will light up the sky over Victoria Harbour at 9pm on October 1 (Tuesday) to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

A total of 31 888 firing shells will be discharged from three barges and six pontoons in an approximately 23-minute extravaganza. The event is co-ordinated by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, and is sponsored by the Hong Kong Chinese Importers & Exporters' Association.

The theme for this year's fireworks display is "Splendid fireworks shining over a prosperous China". The fireworks display will be divided into eight scenes, each with its own characteristics. Highlights include the first scene, "75th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China", which will lift the curtain on the display with images of red five-pointed stars and purple five-petal flowers. The sixth scene, "The Legend of Pandas", mainly featuring the green colour, shows images of pandas' favourite food such as bamboo leaves to express the citywide welcome for their arrival. The seventh scene "Auspicious Treasures" showcases different kinds of ring-shaped fireworks, symbolising the strong bonds and perfect harmony among the various ethnic groups in China. The fireworks display will reach its climax in the last scene, "The Magnificent Scenes of China", with flourishes of "Chinese Red", "Big Whistle" and "Gorgeous Golden Crown" images showering blessings to all, wishing continued prosperity for the nation and peaceful lives for the people.

To offer audiences a new experience, for the first time a drone session will be staged before the National Day Fireworks Display as a prelude.

(Note: The staging of the drone session will depend on factors such as weather conditions that night).

The display can be seen from many vantage points on both sides of the harbour including Tsim Sha Tsui, the Mid-Levels, Central, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and the Hung Hom Bypass.

To present the fireworks display in a more enjoyable way, viewers are invited to tune into Radio Television Hong Kong Radio 4 (FM 97.6 to 98.9) for synchronised music.

To facilitate police implementation of special crowd management measures in the Tsim Sha Tsui area for the fireworks display, both the Hong Kong Museum of Art and the Hong Kong Space Museum will be closed earlier at 6pm on October 1.

Citizens are urged to help keep public areas clean and to show respect for public property. They are also urged to show consideration to others to make the event a safe one.

National Day Fireworks Display to be held at 9pm on October 1 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

National Day Fireworks Display to be held at 9pm on October 1 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

National Day Fireworks Display to be held at 9pm on October 1 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases