HKTV's mobile TV given green light by Communications Authority

The Communications Authority announced yesterday that the Hong Kong Mobile Television Network (HKMTV) Limited can broadcast its mobile TV by using the T2 lite profile under the "digital video broadcasting-terrestrial 2" standard.These include encrypting all television programme signals to ensure its mobile-TV services can only be accessed by authority-approved portable or mobile devices and receivers, and that the reception of the mobile-TV services at moving locations does not include rooftop antenna or in-building communal aerial broadcast distribution systems.A Hong Kong Television Network spokesperson said last night that people will be able to watch programmes in high-definition 4K on their phones or televisions after assembling specific receivers, and that the company welcomes the new government's decision, as this will provide Hongkongers with more choices in entertainment programs.After being denied a TV licence in 2013, HKTV's chairman Ricky Wong was accused of trying to use his mobile service as free TV in disguise by upgrading to the same advanced transmission standard, called digital terrestrial multimedia broadcast, used by other free-to-air broadcasters.HKTV purchased the mobile TV unit including associated licensed frequencies from China Mobile Hong Kong in 2013 and wanted to provide mobile-TV services through HKMTV.The judge said companies would need to apply for a television licence if their mobile station could reach more than 5,000 households.Former chief executive Leung Chun-ying and his advisers rejected an application by Wong for a free-to-air licence for an unknown “basket of factors”. This sparked a public outcry, with many questioning if the decision was politically driven.Wong ran in the Legislative Council elections in 2016 on a platform of trying to replace Leung.But with Leung’s term as chief executive ending last month, Wong’s luck seems to have turned.In the authority’s statement, a spokesman said it had completed “rounds of correspondence exchanges and face-to-face meetings” with HKTV staff before reaching a finalised technical proposal.