First of all, what is Wireless Lifestyle? There are numerous definitions that we can find from the Internet. But, in general, one may take it as a kind of lifestyle in which one can enjoy entertainment, receive education, do business, and share knowledge at anywhere, anytime, with any device and using any network through the use of wireless technology.

Wireless technology has seamlessly infused into our daily life. In a typical day, starting from the time we leave home, we would use Octopus for traveling on public transportation, use it for buying breakfast at convenient store or fast food chains. We would use our wireless staff card to get access to our office. When we return home, we would use our wireless resident card to get access to our car park or building. At home, we would use various remote devices to control our home appliances such as air conditioners, TV, Hi-Fi systems, and set-top boxes. All these daily activities make use of wireless technology in one way or another, without much of our own notice.

However, these are just a few examples of wireless technology adoption. There are far more possibilities that wireless technology can help contribute to improve our daily life. And if we can stretch our imaginations far enough, I dare say that only Sky would be our limit.

There are numerous technology enablers to help fulfill our vision of Wireless Lifestyle. These include sensor-based technology such as RFID; location based technology such as GPS; and wireless and mobile technology such as NFC, 3G, Wi-Fi and WiMax.

The Government is fully aware of the benefits that these technologies would bring about. We have been promoting the use of these technologies in one form or another. I would like to site a few examples here:

(The first example is on transportation.)

The Transport Department is in the process of developing a Transport Information System. The system will provide transport and traffic information for pre-trip planning. It will allow public transport passengers to search for optimum routes based on distance, cost and number of interchanges. The system will also provide information on traffic directions, turning movements at road junctions, stopping restrictions, etc. Service providers can make use of the information so provided to develop value-added applications for car navigation and fleet management.

Wireless technologies such as 3G, GPS and LBS will be extensively deployed in this system to make our life easier and more enjoyable in the areas of motoring, trip planning, and traveling on public transport systems.

On the front of Wi-Fi, we have just launched our GovWiFi Programme in March. We have started providing Wi-Fi services at some 30 Government locations for free use by the public. Our plan is to install Wi-Fi facilities at some 350 government premises by mid-2009.

To facilitate the setting up of Wi-Fi networks in Hong Kong, we also allow service providers to install Wi-Fi hotspots at government properties, such as lamp posts. We charge service providers only at nominal rent.

Apart from directly or indirectly building up the Wi-Fi networks, we also encourage the development of Wi-Fi applications. Through sponsorship to a 'Ubiquitous City - HK' Programme initiated by the WTIA, we aim to provide incentives to industry players for them to develop applications and contents for riding on the respective Wi-Fi networks in Hong Kong. As of today, 4 Wi-Fi applications have been developed, with some of them closely related to our daily life. We expect a dozen of these applications to be developed under the Programme.

On the front of WiMax, the OFTA has announced its plan to release the spectrum of Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) by the end of this year. With the introduction of BWA and its related technology such as WiMax, it is expected that more broadband wireless services would be available in the market. This would further facilitate the development of Wireless Lifestyle in Hong Kong.

Wireless Lifestyle is not a business of a single industry. Its successful implementation very much depends on the degree of integration between technology and consumers' products or services. We need to work closely with players in the other Sectors such as construction, interior design, and home appliances manufacturing. Collaborations beyond the ICT industry are needed for ensuring success and for achieving even greater economic benefits.

Hong Kong is much gifted and equipped to develop Wireless Lifestyle.

From the perspective of Wireless Technology, we have mobile penetration rate of over 150%, which is one of the world's highest. We are forerunner of 3G adoption, and have registered more than 2 million 3G/3.5G users by now. We have over 6,000 Wi-Fi hotspots installed in Hong Kong, enabling us to be ranked number 6 among cities world-wide.

From the perspective of Lifestyle, we have inherited multiple cultures from the West and East over the past century. We have been adopting a metropolitan lifestyle, and we are sensitive to international practices. In general, Hong Kong people are keen to learn new things. They are adventurous enough to experiment new products and technologies. All these are competitive edges of Hong Kong for promoting Wireless Lifestyle.

The latest developments in the Mainland are also in favor to us. Recently, the mainland has rolled out its new 3G services. In our neighboring province - Guangdong, they have been actively pursuing their "Digital Home" initiative. All these present good business opportunities to us. With our rich experience in 3G implementation as well as our international exposure and content development capabilities, I believe we would identify some good collaboration projects with our Mainland counterparts, and jointly develop solutions of Wireless Lifestyle in a synergistic way and serving a bigger market.