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Following is a transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Gregory So, to the media after attending the 14th International Comic Artist Conference (Hong Kong) today (November 16):
Reporter: There is an allegation saying that the... third generation (3G) is to benefit China Mobile. What do you have to say about that?
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development: Our market is open. There is no upper limit to the number of licensees in the telecommunications sector. In this regard, as I said earlier, we encourage competition. On the other hand, we have to see the impact of a re-assignment (of spectrum) will have on the usage of telecommunications users. Therefore, this decision made by the Communications Authority will have the benefit of both worlds. On the one hand, it would not affect unduly the service level. On the other hand, it would encourage competition and efficient usage of the spectrum as well as encouraging an increase in the investment in the sector. So we believe and I support this decision of the Communications Authority. It is not to favour any particular provider of services. It is really to encourage competition and also it would reduce and minimise impact on the telecommunications service users.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Saturday, November 16, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:25
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