As a global communications hub and one of the highest per capita users of cellular phones, Hong Kong thrives on efficient telecommunications.
Telephone
Hong Kong is the first major city in the world to have a fully digitized telephone network and to implement operator number portability. Local landline calls are free, while public telephone calls cost HK$2 for five minutes. Hotels usually charge for calls.
Mobile Phones
Hong Kong has 8.96 million mobile phone subscribers - a penetration rate of about 125 per cent. Most telephone systems - such as GSM 900, PCS 1800, CDMA and WCDMA - can operate in Hong Kong.
Roaming agreements between local operators and most overseas service providers allow visitors to use their own mobile phones in Hong Kong. Service providers in the traveler's home country should be able to provide details and pricing. Rental phones are available at the airport.
SIM cards with local numbers can be bought from at telephone service shops around the city.
Postal Services
Postage is inexpensive and reliable. The General Post Office on Hong Kong Island is located in Connaught Place in Central. The main office in Kowloon can be found at 10 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Enquiries: +852 2921 2222.
Media
Hong Kong's two main English-language dailies are the South China Morning Post and The Standard . Local and international newspapers are available at major hotels, bookstores and newsstands.
There are two English-language terrestrial television channels, while most hotels provide satellite and cable TV. A total of 13 radio channels provide everything from Cantonese pop music to English news programmes.
Internet
Nearly all households and commercial buildings are covered by the broadband network in
Hong Kong. Hotels charge for Internet access but many coffee shops, shopping malls, MTR stations and public libraries provide it for free. Visitors with their own laptops can also enjoy
free wi-fi broadband services, often for free, at major shopping malls, coffee shops and even in public parks.
As Hong Kong is gradually replacing the BT modem system with the RJ system , BT modem plug users may need a BT-RJ adaptor to solve connection problems.
Acknowledgements: we would like to thank Getty Images, the Hong Kong SAR Government, Hong Kong Jockey Club, FEI,
Riding for the Disabled Association Limited, Xinhua & Fung Kai Yan for providing some of the pictures for this website
