Hong Kong’s Communications Authority (CA) created licences for localised wireless broadband service (LWBS), to encourage development of new services based on 5G or other advanced mobile technologies.

The regulator will assign up to 400MHz of spectrum in the 26GHz and 28GHz bands, with licences to be shared on a geographic basis. Annual costs consist of a fixed fee of HKD100,000 ($12,825) and variable charges based on the number of base stations and LWBS devices in use, together with the amount of spectrum assigned.

Licences would be valid for five years, with a potential extension for a further five.

In a statement, a CA representative said the shared spectrum would cover “specified locations such as university campuses, industrial estates, the airport and technology parks”.

“It may also be used to support fixed-wireless access or smart city applications.”

Assignees can deploy the shared spectrum to provide coverage in specified locations, with an aggregate area of no more than 50 square km.

The representative said CA aims to encourage the development of innovative services and applications using 5G technologies, noting LWBS services would be “distinct from conventional public mobile services, and would in general be confined to wireless data-centric communications for specific groups of users”.

CA said it will call for applications for the LWBS licences in a couple of weeks.