Consumer protection in the Hong Kong telecommunications sector : implications for competition policy

  • Ching Yi, Cherry CHEUNG

Student thesis: MPhil Thesis (Lingnan)

Abstract

Competition policy is meant to ensure a level-playing in the market, but its ultimate goal is to enhance consumer interests. The telecommunications sector is one of the two sectors that have set up a competition policy in Hong Kong. This paper examines the current competition policy framework in the telecommunications sector by analyzing the level of consumer protection using the Structure-Conduct-Performance Paradigm. It examines in detail the consumer related complaint cases received by the Office of the Telecommunications Authority in four markets: fixed line telephone services, mobile phone services, International Direct Dialing services, and Internet services. Regression analysis results reveal that more competition in a market has a positive and significant effect on the frequency of complaints about misleading or deceptive conduct on the part of operators in the period from 1999 to 2006. Also, smaller and newer operators tend to receive more complaints. From the lessons we have drawn from the telecommunications sector, a more comprehensive policy coped with consumer protection regulation is needed in order to better promote consumer interests in Hong Kong.
Date of Award2007
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Department of Economics
SupervisorKwan Yiu Edward CHEN (Supervisor) & Ping LIN (Supervisor)

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