Hong Kong May Get 5G Twilight Zones Says Lawmaker

IT sector lawmaker Charles Mok says flagship research and development at Science Park and Chinese University may suffer because of inadequate government plans for rolling out fifth generation, or 5G, internet coverage.

Speaking on RTHK's "Letter to Hong Kong", Mok said 5G is not just about faster download speeds but also new industries like smart transport and manufacturing, telemedicine and the internet of things.

"So much for these 5G technology labs being planned in our flagship technology region, where our government has invested billions of dollars to conduct leading-edge R&D," he said. "Just no 5G."

Mok said the main problem was that low frequency 5G, at 3.5 gigahertz, is currently occupied by satellite operators in Tai Po and Stanley. Low frequencies travel further than high frequencies so they are essential to provide widespread coverage.

The government launched a consultation in May on the use of the 3.5 gigahertz band for 5G. Mok said any auction for this spectrum will not happen until 2019, with the assignment date being fixed for April 2020 and it will then take at least one or two years for the winning company to build and test the network. But he said there will still be huge areas without proper coverage.

"To avoid interference, two huge restricted zones without 3.5 gigahertz 5G services at initial launch will exist in Tai Po, Ma On Shan and parts of Fanling, Sha Tin, Sai Kung as well as Stanley on Hong Kong Island. Much like a 5G Twilight Zone," he said.

Mok said the government had confirmed that these regions cover at least 740,000 residents. He said technology developers and engineers at Science Park and Chinese University will also be affected.

The lawmaker accused the government of being misleading by claiming that the high frequency 26 and 28 gigahertz bands will be up for auction as early as next year. But he said their much shorter range, of about 100 metres, and lower penetration, would mean companies having to build hundreds of times more base stations at close range. He said they may not even be able to penetrate concrete walls.

Mok called on the government to sit down with the telecom industry and to find a way of moving the satellite stations to lesser populated areas.