Hong Kong aims to amend legislation to prohibit the resale of registered cellphone SIM (subscriber identity module) cards next year to strengthen the real-name registration system and combat telephone fraud.
The plan was revealed in a document submitted to the Legislative Council recently. The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau also outlined measures to boost the speed and capacity of the city’s 5G network, especially at venues holding large public events.
The real-name registration system for cellphone SIM cards has been fully implemented since February last year, requiring all locally-issued and used cards to be registered before activation.
The special administrative region government subsequently introduced various steps to optimize this process, such as enabling users to swiftly complete registration using “iAM Smart” – the official online service platform designated by the government.
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As public concern mounts over phone and text message scams, the proposed legislative amendments are aimed at further enhancing the registration system.
The bureau said the system helps to address vulnerabilities where anonymous prepaid phone cards have been used for illicit purposes, and help the authorities investigate crimes involving the use of such phone cards.
The government said it’ll also bolster the 5G network capacity at venues staging major public events.
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Hong Kong’s four mobile network operators have completed the installation and activation of 5G base stations near key venues, including the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, AsiaWorld-Expo on Lantau Island, and Victoria Park, significantly boosting the 5G network capacity in these areas.
Construction work on other 5G base stations has also begun, covering locations like the Central Harbourfront Event Space, Hong Kong Coliseum and Kai Tak Sports Park in Kowloon.
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The bureau said the government has a clear strategy to further strengthen the transmission speed of the local 5G network, such as initiating the auction of new spectrum licenses next month to reinforce public mobile communication services.
Next month, the government will auction the spectrum in the 850/900 MHz, 2.3 GHz and, for the first time, 6/7 GHz bands to provide a total of 510 MHz of spectrum for public mobile services. Hong Kong is one of the first cities in the world to auction the 6/7 GHz band, which can support the development of 6G.
The bureau hopes such measures will serve as a catalyst for market development and prepare for the evolution of 6G communication technology.
Contact the writer at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com
