At this stage, the concepts of ‘metaverse’ and cryptocurrency will not be on the telecom-related legislation agenda, Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raimundo do Rosário has said.
Yesterday, on the sidelines of a government event, the senior official was asked by the Times whether the emerging concept of ‘metaverse,’ in which cryptocurrency is possibly the only means of payment, will be reviewed in his legislation plan.
Discussing the future of local telecom services, Rosário reiterated that his team had been working on the topic “in an overall perspective,” but that the concepts of metaverse and cryptocurrency would not be included in the current agenda.
“Treat us with more patience,” Rosário said.
In addition, he reiterated that 5G infrastructure and incubation is in progress.
“I hope the public can give us more time as, for the time being, I have no update on the matter,” Rosário said. “We are confident, though.”
Repeatedly highlighting the complexity of the topic, the senior official emphasized that 5G services are being prioritized. “We are quite confident that we can at least start the operation of 5G services this year,” he added.
When questioned about whether the Telecom Law should pass through the parliament before 5G services are commenced in Macau, the senior official said he had no comment.
However, Rosário expects to see them before the end of the year.
He added that the government is still within the process of sorting concession assets in the telecom industry.
What will also commence this year are land auctions and the East Line of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT), he added.
On the recent suspension of Macau Pass services on LRT ticketing, the senior official explained it was so that the Macau Pass tap-and-go function could be installed at gates.
He was then asked whether the government will foster bus and LRT interchange discounts. To this, he gave a quick “no”: “Bus and LRT are two different systems operated by three different companies.”
“Although the LRT Company is a company, it is nearly completely owned by the government,” he added. “It is virtually impossible for a government-owned company to negotiate discounts with private entities.”
He even added that experiences in nearby places demonstrated that discount offers were difficult, even between two private companies.
As for the issuances of rainstorm warnings last week, Rosário assured that he was “very satisfied” with the performance of the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG), adding that rainstorm forecasts can hardly be highly accurate, considering the city’s small size and the mutability of dark clouds.
