HK in state of confusion

date: 19 November 2000

The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) has announced it may have to postpone its 3G auction until summer 2001. The auction was scheduled to take place in the first quarter of the year. The cause of the possible delay will be due to a third consultation process.

The government and operators dismissed the current plans proposed by OFTA for the allocation process and 3G service provision. New T&T and CLP Telecom want OFTA to adopt a prize award allocation. New T&T expressed that a premium discount should be used to attract new entrants, and CLP want a money voucher to be issued to the most pro competition proposal submitted. New T&T detailed that the discount would be a percentage reduction of the final price, and would attract new entrants who would have to invest in a new network infrastructure. CLP's voucher idea would be issued after a beauty contest and would then be used in part payment after the bidding stage.

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