OFTA Issues a Class Licence for the Provision of In-building Telecommunications Systems

Co-written by Stephen Bureaux (solicitor)

Summary

On 11 October 2002, the Office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) issued the first of the class licences envisaged by the Telecommunication (Amendment) Ordinance 2000, for In-building Telecommunications Systems.

Full Article

The issue of the Class Licence comes following the required process of consultation which took place in March/April 2002. In order to fall within the ambit of the Class Licence the proposed operator must comply with various conditions and fulfil certain requirements, some of which are summarised below.

An in-building telecommunications system can be a wireline or wireless system which is installed inside a building (or buildings within the same development) for providing telecommunications services to the residents. This, the first of the class licences, is intended to encourage and enable "intelligent buildings" through which residents gain access to enhanced technological