[TWIAR] Hong Kong Telecommunications Authority opens up Citizens Band for public use

[Greg Williams]

Press Release

The Opening of Citizens Band for Public Use

The Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) today (20 January 
2006) announced the creation of a Class Licence for Citizens Band Radio 
(CB radio) to facilitate public use of the radio for recreational and 
other communications purposes.

CB radio is a two-way radio communications device operating in the 26.96 
– 27.41 MHz band with 40 voice channels to users on a shared basis.

"After conducting two rounds of public consultation in May and December 
2005 respectively and studying the submissions received, the 
Telecommunications Authority (TA) issued a statement today to announce 
his decision to open the citizens band for public use under the class 
licence regime," a spokesperson of OFTA said.

"Any person meeting the terms and conditions of the Class Licence may 
operate the CB radios without the need for individual licence 
application or approval. They are not required to register with the TA 
and no licence fee is payable," the spokesperson elaborated.

"Due to the propagation characteristics of 27 MHz radio waves, handheld 
CB radio could provide a good coverage for use in country parks and 
rural areas," continued the spokesperson.

"The TA promotes that Channel 9 of the band should be exclusively used 
for emergency communications and relevant users are encouraged to listen 
to Channel 9 from time to time so as to help each other in case of need, 
and to notify relevant rescue agencies whenever necessary. Channel 9 of 
CB radios and of 409 MHz radios will be useful as an additional channel 
for the users to summon help during emergency situations. OFTA will 
raise public awareness through public education," the spokesperson said.

OFTA first opened the frequency bands of 409.74 – 410 MHz for public use 
in 2003. The short-range walkie-talkies operating within the frequency 
bands have already become a popular radio means used by the public in 
daily communications. OFTA has all along been promoting the proper use 
of Channel 9 in the 409 MHz radio. In line with the practice adopted 
overseas, the monitoring of Channel 9 will be done by users only and on 
a voluntary basis.

Leaflets to provide the guidelines on the use of CB radios will be 
published by OFTA for public's reference.

"Users should be aware that CB radios are prohibited for transmission at 
indoor locations under the Class Licence. This is to avoid possible 
interference to the reception of Cable TV signals," the spokesperson 
explained.

All CB radios licensed under the Class Licence should be type-approved 
by OFTA. Suppliers and manufacturers are encouraged to affix prescribed 
labels to their CB radios which have passed the evaluation by OFTA. 
Users of CB radios are advised to choose the CB radio with the label to 
ensure that the radio meets the technical specifications prescribed by 
OFTA. A list showing the CB radios which have been type-approved by OFTA 
will be available on OFTA's website (http://www.ofta.gov.hk) for public 
information. As to the TA Statement on the opening of CB radio for 
public use, it can now be downloaded from OFTA's website.

"We shall continue our close monitoring of the demands of the society so 
as to consider the feasibility of opening more radio bands for public 
use in the future," the spokesperson added.

Office of the Telecommunications Authority
20 January 2006