Li Feng, chairman of China Mobile Hong Kong, shares his insights on developing 5G technology in Hong Kong at a news conference on Thursday. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
The fifth generation of communications, as a technological leg-up for the innovation and network industries, is essential if Hong Kong is to turn itself into a world-class center for data and computing.
Li Feng, chairman and CEO of China Mobile International and chairman of China Mobile Hong Kong (CMHK), made the remarks at a news conference on Thursday. He explained that the company cooperated with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Asia) in July 2022 to launch Hong Kong’s first 5G network technology in the financial sector.
In addition, CMHK has teamed up with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on smart construction projects, employing 5G high-definition video technology.
Aiming to lead the way in developing 5G technology in Hong Kong, Li said that CMHK spearheaded the establishment of the Greater Bay Area 5G Industry Alliance, which has attracted over 140 members.
He added that the company has invested in the construction of the China Mobile Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Hong Kong Fo Tan Data Center. This move is expected to help Hong Kong build a computing network that can strengthen its connection with other cities of the Greater Bay Area and the rest of the world, further solidifying Hong Kong’s efforts to be a world-class center for data and computing.
However, Li pointed out that the SAR’s 5G infrastructure is relatively weak compared with that of the Chinese mainland, while a lack of expertise in information and communication technologies might be seen as obstacles for the company in developing 5G applications in Hong Kong.
In an effort to boost 5G development in Hong Kong, the SAR government in 2020 launched the Subsidy Scheme for Encouraging Early Deployment of 5G, providing up to HK$500,000 ($63,900) for projects employing 5G technology.
“CMHK has also leveraged the technology to support the innovative development of Hong Kong’s small and medium-sized enterprises, which opened up new markets for the company to further broaden its services for corporate clients,” Li said, adding that expanding business offerings for enterprises can be CMHK’s core advantage and will bring new ideas for Hong Kong to develop into a digital city.
According to Li, the China Mobile 5G Joint Innovation Center Hong Kong Open Lab, which is located at the Hong Kong Science Park in the New Territories, was set up in March 2018 to provide new development models for enterprises, and facilitate the realization of SMEs’ creative concepts, which in turn will boost innovation and technology in Hong Kong.
Li recalled that while attending the Mobile World Congress in Shanghai in June, many overseas telecom operators expressed a desire to learn from the mainland’s experience in developing and applying 5G. This can also serve as a reference for Hong Kong to drive the growth of the technology, he said.
Since society has returned to normal after the COVID-19 pandemic, Li said, roaming businesses have experienced a robust recovery, growing by nearly 150 percent and bringing it back to pre-pandemic levels.
With the increased economic vitality in Hong Kong and the greater exchanges between the city and other parts in the Greater Bay Area, CMHK plans to optimize product packages based on 5G technology, such as further improving the “one SIM, two numbers” service, to facilitate users traveling between Hong Kong and mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area, Li said.
