The Communications Authority and the Government prepare for a new spectrum auction in 2024.
Licences are set to expire in 2024: On 23 September 2020, The Hong Kong Communications Authority (CA) and the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (SCED) launched a public consultation on the reassignment of 90MHz of spectrum in the 2.5–2.6GHz band. The spectrum is currently used by three MNOs (CMHK, HKT, Hutchison), whose licences will expire in 2024.
Operators will be able to deploy 5G: The CA proposes to reassign the spectrum through an auction, due to the likely competing demands for those airwaves. Operators will be able to use it in a technology-neutral way, meaning they will be able to deploy 5G as well as 4G.
A three-year notice ahead of expiry: The public consultation is open until 20 October 2020. The SCED will set the fees for spectrum use and the reserve price nearer the time of auction. Both bodies expect to make a final decision by Q1 2021, so that current licensees have a three-year notice ahead of expiry.
