Attention TV and radio duty announcers: Please broadcast the following special announcement by the Education Bureau concerning schools, and repeat it at suitable intervals:  … read more
Planning out the next step in life can be a daunting task for newly retired athletes. Thanks to a mentorship scheme, they can gain insights from retired local sporting heroes who help them undergo successful career transformati… read more
To underpin the implementation of full digital TV broadcast on December 1 (00.00 hours) this year, the Government launched the Community Care Fund Digital Television Assistance Programme in January this year to help analogue TV households in need obtain digital TV receivers so that they can continue to access local free TV programmes. As of now, more than 11 500 applications have been received, of which some 10 000 households have their digital TV receivers successfully installed.
According to the latest survey findings, by the first quarter this year, over 90 per cent of Hong Kong households have already switched to digital TV, while the number of households still using analogue TV has dropped to about 3 per cent (around 80 000 households). These figures show that most of the Hong Kong residents are ready for full digital TV broadcast.
“Hong Kong will enter an era of full digital TV broadcast in less than half a year’s time. Households still using analogue TV will not be able to access local free TV programmes by then. We encourage all analogue TV households to get ready for full digital TV broadcast. Eligible households should submit their applications as soon as possible to obtain digital TV receivers,” a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said today (June 14).
The programme is administered by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service with very simple application procedures. Analogue TV households benefiting from specified social assistance programmes or are of low-income will not be required to go through additional means testing. Eligible analogue TV households can choose digital TV receivers according to their family needs: a set-top box, a 24-inch digital TV set or a 32-inch digital TV set.
Application forms can be obtained from the 100 district service units which assist in implementing the programme and the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres in the 18 districts. Forms can also be downloaded from the programme website (digitaltv.hkcss.org.hk/en/). Completed forms should be submitted to the service units in person or by post. Within eight weeks after receipt of an application, the electrical appliances contractor will liaise with the applicant and arrange one-stop services, including delivery and installation of a digital TV receiver as well as disposal of the old analogue TV set.
The assistance programme will run until July 15, 2021. For details, please visit the dedicated website or call 2922 9230. read more
The Government launched the Subsidy Scheme for Encouraging Early Deployment of 5G on May 5 under the second round of the Anti-epidemic Fund. It aims to encourage the public and private sectors to deploy 5G technology early so as to improve their operational efficiency and to foster innovation. The response is enthusiastic and 81 applications have been received so far, among which three applications have been approved. The first portion of the subsidy is expected to be disbursed to the grantees within June.
The Government will subsidise 50 per cent of the project costs directly relevant to the deployment of 5G technology, subject to a cap of $500,000. It is anticipated that around 100 qualified projects will be subsidised. Upon completion of their projects, subsidised organisations and corporations are required to share and exchange their experiences with their industry in enhancing operational efficiency and services through the deployment of 5G technology so as to benefit their related sectors.
The three approved cases cover the following aspects:
(1) Remote technical support and monitoring solution for elevators – riding on features of high speed and low latency of 5G, technicians can be supported by a real-time remote support system and reinforced by round-the-clock monitoring devices to monitor elevator safety;
(2) 3D building information modelling (BIM) in construction sites – with the high transmission speed of 5G and augmented reality technology, engineers and staff can build 3D BIM and review construction details on-site; and
(3) Remote e-sports car racing – the high-speed and real-time transmission technology of 5G allows players to experience remote mini-car racing and enjoy the fun of e-sports.
Other applications received cover various aspects of innovative applications, including the application of 5G together with the Internet of things, big data and artificial intelligence technologies in waste recycling, transportation, education and entertainment industries or sectors. The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) is actively processing the applications.
“The scheme is open for application until November 30 on a first-come, first-served basis. Public and private entities and bodies are welcome to apply as soon as possible,” a spokesman for OFCA said.
Details of the scheme and the application form are available on OFCA’s website (www.ofca.gov.hk/en/industry_focus/telecommunications/5g_subsidy/index.html).
With mobile network operators launching commercial 5G services, Hong Kong entered the 5G era in April 2020. 5G technology is characterised by high speed, low latency and the ability to support a massive number of Internet of things devices, bringing excellent potential to the innovative applications of different industries and smart city development. read more
Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible: Here is an item of interest to swimmers. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 14) that due to big wa… read more