After an invitation of proposals exercise, the Office of Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) has today appointed N M Rothschild & Sons (Hong Kong) Limited and its partners, ELSECo, Spectrum Strategy, Quotient Communications Limited and Allen & Overy, to be the advisers to OFTA for the design and implementation of the licensee selection process and regulatory framework for third-generation (3G) public mobile services in Hong Kong.

The total cost of the advisory services is estimated to be around HK$50 million.

OFTA has on 3 October 2000 issued the second consultation paper on the licensing framework for 3G services. OFTA is now considering the comments from the industry in response to the second consultation paper and plans to finalize the licensing framework in early 2001. The second consultation paper proposed the adoption of a "hybrid" approach for the licensing process, consisting of the elements of a "pre-qualification", an auction for the radio spectrum and "Open Network" obligations imposed on the future 3G network licensees.

The advisers will advise the Government on the detailed design and implementation of various components in the proposed licensing framework.

Office of the Telecommunications Authority
5 January 2001