■通訊局預計最快明年4月可指配5G頻譜。 資料圖片【原文】通訊事務管理局於本月初交代香港推行5G準備工作的最新進展，預計最快明年4月可指配5G頻譜，後年可全面推出5G移動服務，令香港成為全球最早推出5G服務的地區之一。
電訊服務是互聯網創新產業的基礎，本港過往在電訊產業曾處於領先地位，進入5G年代也應爭分奪秒，為打造智慧城市打好基礎，政府和業界更須共同努力，有關部門應多聽取業界意見，提供必要支援，不僅讓市民盡快享用先進技術，更讓香港在激烈的新經濟競爭中立於不敗之地。
較4G快20倍傳輸速度
5G是指第五代移動通訊技術，傳輸速度比4G快達20倍。英國月前拍賣了5G頻譜後，本港不少聲音質疑，本港推動5G的步伐慢幾拍。通訊局於本月初詳細交代本港發展5G的進度，澄清外界的質疑。
按當局推算，在完成諮詢後，電訊商最快明年4月可指配5G頻譜，也就是說開始有網絡，而真正全面推出5G服務，大約要待2020年。對比其他先行地區，韓國是今年年底、澳洲是明年、英國是明年至後年、內地則是後年。以此觀之，本港推行5G服務的速度並非最快，但也不算落後。
電訊技術的升級換代，提升的不僅僅是一般意義上的上網速度，而是能夠催生出眾多新興產業。過去數年共享經濟、移動支付、網絡遊戲等產業的蓬勃，與3G、4G的升級和普及有極大關係。打個比喻，電訊網絡是路，互聯網新興產業是路上面的車，道路建設好了，車走得更多更快。
高速通訊 帶動經濟
有研究指出，預測5G可廣泛支持零售、教育、交通、娛樂等各行各業，將催生12萬億美元的產品和服務，拉動的全球GDP增長總量與整個印度的GDP（2.4萬億美元）相當，同時創造超過2,000萬個工作崗位。
隨着5G的推廣應用，可以預料智能製造、智慧城市、人工智能等技術更成熟，AR、VR、觸覺互聯網、車聯網、無線通信應用、無人機、智慧電網等將成為日常生活的組成部分。
本港的互聯網新興產業雖然發展不算快，但互聯網的基礎設施尚算完善，3G、4G、光纖等技術的應用，本港均是全球最快的地區之一。本屆政府重視基於互聯網的創新科技，創科局於去年公佈《智慧藍圖》，提到一系列的願景和目標，當中就包括將5G技術視為智慧城市的「催化劑」。
工欲善其事，必先利其器，香港要打造智慧城市，在互聯網基建上一定不能落後於人。雖然當局公佈的5G時間表不算遲，但能否按時落實值得關注，期待相關部門與業界群策群力，共同推進5G技術盡快落實，廣泛聽取業界意見，以更大力度支援業界發展。 （標題及小標題為編輯所加） （摘錄自香港文匯報社評10-5-2018）
5G Networks Making a Smart City Happen
【譯文】The Communications Authority reported in early May the latest developments of the preparations for 5G mobile services. The authority expects the first 5G spectrum to be available in April next year, and a full-fledged 5G network in service by 2020, making Hong Kong one of the pioneers in the adoption of the next-gen mobile service.
Given that telecommunications service is the backbone of the internet economy, Hong Kong as one of the leaders in the global telecoms industry must hasten its endeavours in the 5G era in order to prepare for the transformation into a smart city.
The government should work with the private sector, listen closely to their needs and provide assistance whenever necessary. This will not only allow the public to enjoy the cutting-edge technology earlier, but also secure Hong Kong's position in the fiercely competitive new economy.
5G Is 20 Times Faster Than 4G
Fifth generation mobile networks, abbreviated 5G, will be 20 times faster than 4G in terms of download speeds. Many have questioned the government's slow response in adopting 5G networks following the United Kingdom's 5G spectrum auction in April.
The Communications Authority cleared up the public's doubts in early May with a detailed report on the adoption progress of 5G. The authority estimated that when the public consultation is over, 5G spectrum would be made available to local service providers by April 2019 at the soonest. While network coverage could be available next year, full commercialisation of 5G would be achieved no sooner than 2020.
In comparison with our counterparts, 5G is going to go live in South Korea by late 2018, in Australia 2019, in the UK 2019-20, and in mainland China 2020. From the above information, even though Hong Kong is not the earliest adopter of 5G services, it is still fair to say that we have not fallen behind others.
New telecommunications technologies are not just about faster connection-beyond speed they also unleash the full potential of many emerging industries. For instance, the rise of sharing economy, mobile payment and mobile games in recent years could be attributed to the commercialisation of 3G and 4G networks.
The relationship between mobile network infrastructure and emerging internet economies is comparable to one between roads and vehicles-the better the road network is established, the more efficient and faster the cars can go.
Studies have predicted that over US$12 trillion worth of goods and services that are enabled by 5G could be produced across the retail, education, transportation and entertainment industries.Its impact on the global GDP would be equivalent to adding an economy the size of India today, roughly US$ 2.4 trillion, while also creating over 20 million jobs across the world.
As the popularity of 5G networks increases over time, one can expect the current technologies for intelligent manufacturing, smart cities and artificial intelligence（AI）to become more mature. By that time, augmented reality（AR）, virtual reality （VR）, tactile internet, internet of vehicles（IoV）, wireless communications, unmanned aerial vehicles（UAV）and smart grid would become an integral part of our daily lives.
Although the development of emerging internet economies in Hong Kong is not that rapid, as one of the pioneers in adopting 3G, 4G and optical fibre technologies, Hong Kong still possess an internet infrastructure that is comprehensive enough to support further growth.
5G Will Boost Tech Innovation
The current administration have recognised the significance of developing internet-based innovative technologies, and in the Innovation and Technology Bureau's Smart City Blueprint for Hong Kong, 5G networks are regarded as the catalyst for smart city development.
As the saying goes, fine tools are the prerequisites of a fine work. If Hong Kong were to transform into a smart city, we must not lag behind our competitors. Although the government's action has been swift enough so far in adopting 5G, whether there will be any delay is still worth paying attention to.
The relevant authorities should work closely together towards an early 5G adoption, and listen to the voices of the private sector in support of its further development. ■ Jeffrey Tse[ywc_jeffrey@hotmail.com]
Exercise
1.擴張實境／實擬虛境
2.虛擬實境
3.物聯網
4.大數據
5.資料探勘
Answers
1.Augmented reality（AR）
2.Virtual reality（VR）
3.Internet of things（IoT）
4.Big data
5.Data mining
