First 5G licenses to be issued in 2022

*By Therese Tu

The Macau SAR government will issue the first 5G licenses in 2022 Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng revealed yesterday (Tuesday) after announcing the policy address for the next fiscal year. 

The CE emphasized that the launch of 5G licenses is linked to the legislation of Telecommunications Law but that the two could advance separately.

Upon completing the Telecommunications Law – estimated for the second half of 2023 – the government will issue a convergence license to telecommunications operators and will promote full coverage of fiber optics in new public buildings.

Ho also stated that the government will assess the existing assets held by telecom providers before proceeding with a 5G license, with this evaluation currently commissioned to a third party.

Replying to the concerns about the telecommunications service concession contract which will expire by the end of 2021, Ho said that the concession assets will definitely be government-owned after the completion of the concession contract.

The asset evaluation is in progress and the plan for handling will be announced later by the director of the Department of Transport and Public Works.

During the year, CTM invested MOP625 million in investment projects, an increase of MOP385 million compared to the previous year, with its largest projects including the launch of the initial phase of the new 5G mobile network, internet and leased lines, and also the continuous development of the Customer Support Management System.