Issue No.: 17 Date: 24 Jun 2005

 

Tackling cold calls

From time to time, I receive complaints from the public on the unsolicited cold calls which will not only cause nuisances, but also incur a high roaming charges if the mobile user is out of town.

I share with the complaints as I also had similar experience to pick up those calls and paid roaming charges. As an effort to tackle this problem, I added an agendum at the ITB panel meeting in June, and requested the administration to speed up their work on anti-UEM (Unsolicited electronic messages) legislation.

Most of the cold calls are generated via FTNS number onto mobile numbers. Under the current interconnection charges regime, no matter who initates the calls, the MNOs must paid all the interconnection fee of the calls between FTNS and mobile numbers. The charging regime is one of the important factors which indirectly encourage the caller to generate more calls, with minimal marginal cost. Therefore, the administration should conduct a comprehensive review on the charging mechanism and introduce "callingr-party paid" principle. If you have any opinion on this issue, please send me an email to cksin@sinchungkai.org.hk

CK Sin





Panels

Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting
11 July 2005

Agenda

  • Proposed anti-spam legislation
  • Consultation exercise on the regulation of Internet Protocol (IP) Telephony
  • Domestic/private pirated viewing of subscription television programmes

Panel on Commerce and Industry
19 July 2005

Agenda

  • Proposals on various copyright-related issues

Council questions

8 Jun 2005

Motion debate

22 Jun 2005

  • Enhancing the quality of early childhood education
  • Expectation for the new Chief Executive

29 Jun 2005

  • Enhancing the regulation of commercial marketing practices
  • Immediate resumption of sale of Home Ownership Scheme flats
 



Activities

Cyberport Games Marathon

This event aims to introduce electronic games developed by Hong Kong companies to the general public and to promote a positive and healthy gaming culture in Hong Kong.

Date: July 1-3 and 9- 10, 2005
Venue: Cyberport Admission: Free
Website: http://games.cyberport.hk

Transport:
Free shuttle-bus service via Admiralty to the Cyberport will be arranged (bus service runs every five minutes daily on July 1-3 and 9-10); complimentary ferry shuttle service via Central Pier No 5 to the Cyberport (twice daily on July 1-3 only)

Co-organizers: The Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited

Consultation paper

Review on Implementation of Billing and Metering Integrity Scheme
- closing date: 29 Jul

News

Two tier regulatory framework for IP Telephony

The TA issued a statement, "Regulation of Internet Protocol (IP) Telephony", concluding his views on the regulatory framework for the Internet Protocol (IP) Telephony Under the two-class licence regime to be introduced, services under Class 1 are required to meet relevant licensing conditions applicable to fixed network operators operating conventional telephone services under FTNS or Fixed Carrier Licences.

Class 1 services will have all the attributes that consumers now expected from the conventional telephone services. Services under Class 2 are only required to meet minimal licensing conditions in order not to inhibit technological deployment.

Consultation Period Extended for Regulation of Local Access Charge

The OFTA announced that the period to respond to the consultation paper on LAC has been extend to 8 July 2005.



My Column @ Oriental Daily

Please visit my blog to read my recent articles:

  • Ubiquitous information society
  • The tourism board
  • Palm vain
  • 3G 4G
  • Next generation wireless network
  • Hong Kong Disney Land
  • The cold calls

For comments, please write to column@sinchungkai.org.hk



As an elected legislator, I always love to know your views. If you have anything would like to share with me, please email me or make an appointment for an office visit or home visit. Please leave your name, contact number, and discussion topic via email, and my office will follow up your request with phone calls accordingly.


 
 
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