Full Withdrawal of Licensing Exemption for PHS Radiocommunications Apparatus as from 10 May 2016


The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) today (12 April 2016) reminded the members of the public that the licensing exemption for Personal Handy Phone System (PHS) radiocommunications apparatus operating in the 1895 – 1906.1 MHz band will be fully withdrawn from 10 May 2016.

“PHS is a short and medium-range mobile radiocommunications technology developed in Japan and introduced into Hong Kong mainly for use as cordless telephones back in 1997. However, its deployment in Hong Kong has not been successful and such PHS-based products are no longer available for sale in the local market for quite some time. In order to vacate and deploy the radio spectrum in a more effective manner for provision of other services, the Communications Authority announced in April 2013 its decision to withdraw the licence exemption for PHS apparatus. Members of the public are given a three-year grace period, until 9 May 2016, to continue to use their PHS apparatus. A series of publicity activities have been arranged by OFCA since 2013 in the run up to May 2016 to inform the public of the arrangements for the withdrawal of the PHS licensing exemption,” a spokesperson for OFCA said.

“With effect from 10 May 2016, the day when the licence exemption for PHS apparatus is withdrawn, no person shall possess or use any PHS apparatus in Hong Kong. Any person who contravenes the provision shall be liable to a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and to imprisonment for two years upon conviction,” continued the spokesperson.

Members of public who wish to obtain relevant information or find out whether the cordless telephone or other radiocommunications apparatus that they are using is a PHS may visit OFCA’s website at http://www.ofca.gov.hk/phs or call OFCA’s hotline at 2961 6333.

Office of the Communications Authority
12 April 2016