Communications Authority grants consent to CMHK to cease its 2G services
The Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) announced today (December 16) the Communications Authority (CA)'s decision to grant prior consent to China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited (CMHK) for its application to cease the provision of second generation mobile (2G) services on June 23, 2026.
Having considered various relevant factors, the CA approved the application pursuant to Special Condition 10.4 of CMHK's Unified Carrier Licence. These include the very low proportion of customers affected (including customers of 2G pre-paid services, those who are still using 2G handsets/devices for connection to CMHK's network and those using handsets/devices that do not support VoLTE (Note) function), and CMHK's provision of support services for the affected customers such as offers to upgrade service plans or to replace handsets/devices. For customers who choose not to continue the service or not to replace their handsets/devices, CMHK will make reasonable service termination arrangements and provide them with sufficient advance notification and customer service support. Moreover, the CA has required CMHK to maintain satisfactory 2G services until the scheduled service cessation date.
CMHK is the last operator to shut down its 2G mobile network and will cease the provision of its 2G services on June 23, 2026. Affected customers may refer to the relevant press release issued by CMHK today or contact the company for details of the arrangements.
After the phased shutdown of 2G mobile networks by individual mobile network operators, June 23, 2026, will mark the end of the 2G era in Hong Kong. OFCA takes this opportunity to call for customers of 2G services and those who are still using 2G handsets/devices to upgrade their service plans and handsets/devices before June 23, 2026, to ensure the continuity of their mobile services. OFCA also encourages members of the public to assist their family and friends, especially the elderly, in upgrading their services in order to experience better service quality and more advanced and diversified features provided by the newer generations of mobile services.
Note: VoLTE, which stands forVoice over Long Term Evolution (LTE), isa technology that enables voice calls to be made over a 4G LTE network instead of older 2G or 3G networks.
Photo source: online image
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million
Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Tseung Kwan O and Hong Kong International Airport respectively yesterday (May 21) and today (May 22), and seized a total of about 21.8 kilograms of assorted drugs with a total estimated market value of about $7.95 million. Two men and one woman, aged between 38 and 49, were arrested.
In the first case, Customs officers intercepted a 48-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman in Tseung Kwan O during an anti-narcotics operation yesterday afternoon. About 3.8kg of suspected drugs, including ketamine, methamphetamine, etomidate capsules, psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia were found in their residence in the same district. They were then arrested.
In the second case, a 38-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine inside his check-in suitcase and 33 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette inside his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.
The arrested man and woman in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of apparatus fit and intended for the inhalation of a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 23), while an investigation is ongoing for the second case.
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
