The Billing and Metering Integrity Scheme (“BMIS”) was first launched on 1 January 2003. The main objective of the scheme is to enhance consumer confidence in the billing and metering accuracy of the public telecommunications services including international direct dial (“IDD”) services, mobile services and dial-up Internet services. Under the then implementation arrangements, fixed network operators (“FNOs”), mobile network operators (“MNOs”) and mobile virtual network operators (“MVNOs”) were required to participate in BMIS on a mandatory basis while dial-up Internet service providers, international value-added network services operators and external telecommunications services operators might participate in the scheme on a voluntary basis. On 17 June 2005, the former Telecommunications Authority (now the Communications Authority or “CA”) issued a consultation paper to conduct a review of the implementation of BMIS. Having considered the views expressed from the industry, the former Telecommunications Authority in his statement of 23 November 2005 decided to extend the voluntary participation in the scheme to all FNOs, MNOs and former public non-exclusive telecommunications service operators (now Services-based Operators or “SBOs”) including MVNOs and external telecommunications services operators starting from 1 January 2006. Since that day, all FNOs, MNOs and SBOs may voluntarily participate in BMIS if they offer services (such as IDD services, mobile services and dial-up Internet services) which are charged on the basis of time of usage.

BMIS is a set of testing criteria and quality assurance procedures based on relevant international standards to check the accuracy in measuring call duration and billing the calls made. The BMIS criteria specify that the number of inaccurately metered calls shall not exceed 0.01% of total calls and the error of billed amount shall not exceed 0.01% of the total billed amount in a single bill. Operators joining the scheme have to follow the quality assurance procedures prescribed by the CA to check their internal process routinely and to ensure that the accuracy criteria are met.

BMIS Compliance Status

The test results of the billing and metering systems as well as compliance status of these operators are published on a half-yearly basis (Please click here for the information ).

Consumer Advice

Operators who join the BMIS indicate that the accuracy of the calls which they meter and the bills which they issue conform to the criteria specified by the CA.

The BMIS is not a compulsory licensing requirement and some operators have out of commercial consideration chosen not to join the scheme. To make better-informed purchasing decisions, consumers should clarify with these operators regarding how they would ensure the accuracy in measuring call duration and billing the calls made.

Consumers may wish to note that irrespective of whether or not they have joined BMIS, operators are bound by their licences requiring them to take all reasonable steps to ensure that any metering and billing equipment which they deploy is accurate and reliable. The CA will take appropriate regulatory actions if any operator is found to be in breach of the relevant licence condition.

Further Information

For more information about BMIS, please contact:

Office of the Communications Authority
29/F., Wu Chung House,
213 Queen's Road East,
Wanchai, Hong Kong.
Tel : 2961 6252
Fax: 2123 2187
Email: meter@ofca.gov.hk