In support of low-altitude economy (LAE) activities, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operate in various frequency bands for remote control, telemetry and payload transmission including video streaming. Data transmission and control of UAS require reliable and secure radiocommunications. Currently, most of UAS operations in Hong Kong make use of Wi-Fi connections or 4G / 5G public mobile services.
Wi-Fi connections operating in the 2400 – 2483.5 MHz, 5470 – 5725 MHz and 5725 – 5850 MHz bands1 are in general used by UAS for radiocommunications. Wi-Fi devices that comply with the technical specifications HKCA 1039 are exempted from the licensing requirements under the Telecommunications Ordinance (Cap. 106). Certification against HKCA 1039 is voluntary.
Public mobile networks with territory-wide 4G and 5G coverage in Hong Kong can well support UAS operations. UAS operators may choose to subscribe to public mobile services provided by local mobile network operators (MNOs). UAS operators shall therefore coordinate with the relevant MNOs to ensure that there is sufficient mobile network coverage along the intended operating areas and/or flight paths to ensure flight safety.
4G/5G modules of UAS shall comply with the requirements set out in the relevant technical specifications and/or type acceptance criteria2, though certification against these technical specifications and type acceptance criteria is voluntary.
A dedicated spectrum for use by UAS can provide an additional choice of radiocommunications means to support LAE activities. Use of multiple and reliable radiocommunications means is desirable not only for mission-critical applications but also for the purpose of safe flying operation with reduced risk of interference.
The Communications Authority has made available the 1430 – 1444 MHz band (1.4 GHz band) for use by UAS and created a new licence to facilitate the use of the dedicated spectrum.
Radiocommunications equipment for UAS operating in the 1.4 GHz band shall comply with the technical requirements set out in the type acceptance criteria TAC 013. Certification against
TAC 013 is compulsory.
The Government announced in the 2025 Policy Address to enhance core infrastructure facilities, which include, among others, by designating spectrum to advance Hong Kong as a major hub for low-altitude applications. To cater for the need of UAS operators to set up radiocommunications installations for UAS operations using assigned frequency channel(s) in the 1.4 GHz band, the Unmanned Aircraft System (Private) Licence has been created since 27 October 2025. The initiative will foster the development of LAE in Hong Kong.
Under the licence, channels in the 1.4 GHz band will be assigned on a non-exclusive, geographically sharing and first-come-first-served basis. Licensee can only use the assigned channel along specific UAS flight paths approved by Civil Aviation Department (CAD). The radiocommunications installations can only be used by the licensee itself, but not for the provision of any public telecommunications services to other parties.
At present, the 1.4 GHz band is confined to be used by projects under the LAE Regulatory Sandbox launched by the Government. Successful applicants for the projects intended to establish, maintain and operate radiocommunications installations using channels in the 1.4 GHz band for UAS operations may submit to CA an application for the UAS (Private) Licence. Applicants for the UAS (Private) Licence must secure CAD's approval on specific flight paths so as to be eligible to be granted with a licence. Further, approvals from relevant government departments may be needed prior to deployment of UAS operations.