Speech by Mr. Howard Dickson, Government Chief Information Officer, for the 5th Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association Anniversary Gala Dinner & the 1st Hong Kong Wireless Technology Excellence Awards
14 - 10 - 2005

John (Chiu), Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening! It is my great pleasure to join this 5th Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association Anniversary Gala Dinner and to address such a distinguished group of wireless industry players.

In Hong Kong we have over 8 million mobile subscribers or a 120% penetration rate, which is one of the highest in the world. Many wireless applications are now being made possible by the broader bandwidth and functionality of the 2.5G and 3G mobile network services. With this high penetration rate and high-speed mobile network, Hong Kong stands to benefit from the rapid development of wireless technologies and services, particularly through deployment in business processes to enhance productivity and efficiency.

The Government has put the promotion of wireless technologies and services as one of the focus areas in our Digital 21 Strategy. To help facilitate and drive the development and adoption of wireless technologies and services in Hong Kong, we have established a new task force on Facilitating the Adoption of Wireless and Mobile Services and Technology which comprises representatives from the industry, academia and the Government. The Task Force is developing an action plan based on earlier discussions on the relevant issues and projects worthy of pursuit.

To stimulate further development and wider adoption of wireless and mobile applications, Government action alone is not enough. We also need the contributions from the industry. The Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association is certainly one of our key partners in this regard.

Over the past 5 years, the Association has been working closely with the Government to implement some meaningful projects which have brought benefited the industry and users. Let me touch upon just a couple of them.

Supported by the Innovation and Technology Fund, the Hong Kong Wireless Development Centre was established at the Cyberport to provide multi-operator and multi-vendor support to our mobile application developers to test and fine-tune their mobile applications before launching into the market. Many projects are now in the pipeline and I understand that some of them are being implemented for government departments

The Centre and the Association also help coordinate and provide resources to pump-prime the introduction of wireless and mobile technologies and applications in various business sectors under our sector-specific promotion programmes to enhance the use of IT in the community.

To expedite the development of 3G applications and content, the Government has provided funding support to the Association to organise the 3G Cyberport project. By leveraging on the infrastructure and unique environment at the Cyberport, the project provides a test bed for local developers to trial run and commercialise innovative 3G applications before their full-scale deployment.

To showcase these 3G pilot applications and to encourage further adoption of 3G applications within the Government, the OGCIO and the Centre will organise the "3G on the Move" conference and exhibition at the Cyberport on 28 October, two weeks from now. Besides promoting further awareness of the 3G trends and application opportunities, the event will also provide the industry with good business matching and networking opportunities.

Last but not least, the Government has supported the Association to organise the 1st Hong Kong Wireless Technology Excellence Awards. As one of the members of the grand judging panel, I was impressed by the many outstanding mobile applications which represent some of the most innovative and interesting mobile applications in Hong Kong. Tonight, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all participants in the Awards as they have already been rewarded with their achievement and recognition from the industry.

Thank you.

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