5G Frequency Spectrum in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s Office of Communications Authority (OFCA) held the 5G spectrum auction in 2019. Four telecom operators acquired spectrum in the 3.5 GHz, 4.9 GHz and 28 GHz (n78, n79, n257 and n261) bands.

5G Frequency Bands in Hong Kong

5G services in Hong Kong are provided by four telecom operators: China Mobile Hong Kong (CMHK), Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT), Hutchison Telephone Company Limited (HTCL) and SmarTone Mobile Communications.

HKT, Hutchison and CMHK launched their 5G services in April 2020 whereas SmarTone is yet to announce its date for 5G launch.

In a report by Bloomberg in June 2020, tests conducted on CMHK 5G network in Hong Kong showed smooth 4K video streaming outdoors in a moving vehicle. The carrier’s flagship store in the city’s central business district offered the best download speed. A Huawei P40 Pro smartphone was used to conduct the test.

CMHK expects to provide their 5G network in 90% of the main areas of Hong Kong Island. HKT targets to cover 11 of the 18 districts initially with expansions in the future. HTCL stated that their 5G base stations are have a 10 Gbps optical-fiber backhaul network and expects to cover the entire territory of Hong Kong with their 5G network by the end of 2020.

CMHK also stated that they carried out a Standalone (SA) 5G network test in 2019.

Applications have been opened by OFCA for the 27.95 – 28.35 GHz band.