The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is prepared to introduce legislation in the 2006-07 legislative year to effect the establishment of a new communications authority, said Chief Executive Donald Tsang in Hong Kong Wednesday (Oct 11th).

"We consulted the public early this year on the reform of the regulatory regime and proposed merging the functions of the Office of the Telecommunications Authority and the Broadcasting Authority to form a new communications authority," Tsang said in his second policy address at the Legislative Council.

"We aim to adopt a regulatory framework to promote innovation and competition to a level on par with advanced international standards," he said.

Tsang said the application of new wireless communication technologies has also spread rapidly and widely, adding that the SAR government will carry out public consultation by the end of 2006 on the policy of radio spectrum management.

"We aim to ensure, through market forces, more flexible and effective utilization of the radio spectrum as a public resource, facilitating technological advance and the evolution of new business models," he said.

Editor: Donald