Telecommunications | 4G mobile network licenses granted

The new fourth generation (4G) mobile network licenses have been granted to CTM, China Telecom, Hutchison Macau and Smart- Tone, according to an announcement made yesterday by the Bureau of Telecommunications Regulation (DSRT).
Two other companies bid for the licenses, namely China Mobile Hong Kong Company and U Hong Communications Limited, a new local mobile operator founded especially for the tender.
According to information released previously by DSRT, the assessment criteria covers technical capacity, investment amount, the financial conditions of the company, plans for network coverage, tariff
schemes, mobile data protection and safeguard measures against malfunction.
The winning bidders are requested to start providing 4G data services in the coming year. The companies granted with the licenses are required to have citywide coverage by the end of 2016. The 4G operators will pay 5 percent of their gross revenue to the government, an amount similar to the 3G services operators.