Cell Phones in Hong Kong – A Bane in Disguise?

Hong Kong is ringing its way to a one of the most densely cellular places on the planet. Yes, the recent statistics published by Hong Kong Office of the Telecommunications Authority indicate exorbitant usage of local mobile data up to 147 Terabytes as of January 2009.

Hong Kong Salary trends show that the effect of economic crisis is lesser compared to the other parts of Asia. This could be a reason why the number of Hong Kong mobile phone users is 11.43 million, representing a mind blowing penetration rate of over 163%. Some techno addiction that! 95 % of Hong Kong consumers possess at least one mobile phone today.

Yet, all things need a limit. There is a whole new experience with people talking over the cell phone loudly, be it a hospital, movie or ridiculously so, even in the library! Despite signs being used to indicate low levels of noise, cell phone addicts seem to ignore it!Disturbance levels are on an ascent. Amidst all the disturbance and frustration, coupled with the endless ringing of phones, the Office of Telecommunications has come up with an antidote, mobile-phone-jamming systems!

Possibly realising the prospective retaliations from angry customers, officials in the telecommunications office are carrying out a public consultation before deciding on the cell-phone-jamming plan. Some suggest allocating buffer areas in places like the corridors outside cinema halls so that people can attend to urgent and important calls. The phone mania seems to have hit schools and colleges as well. In retribution, the Education, Science and Technology Ministry issued a notice calling on primary and middle schools to prohibit students from bringing cell phones to school.

At this stage when Telecommunication industry is on the up rise, helping in the growth of Hong Kong, I wonder if this form of ‘taking to task’ is the right way to combat cell phone fixation!