The Macau Post and Telecommunications Bureau (CTT) held a briefing session yesterday about its recently renewed telecommunication agreement with long-time operator CTM and licensing arrangements, aiming to ensure the stability of Macau’s telecommunication services in line with the law, according to a CTT statement.
The session, which was held at the CTT headquarters at the General Post Office (GPO) on Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, focused on the overall arrangements for telecommunication agreements and licences in Macau, the statement said. In order to ensure the smooth transition of telecommunication services in line with the implementation of the authorities’ overall reform plans for the sector, the government decided to extend its telecom concession agreement with CTM for two more years, until September 30, 2027, the statement said.
The statement highlighted that the agreement has adopted the form commonly known as “one-year fixed agreement, one-year living agreement*”, allowing the government to terminate the agreement upon 60 days’ prior written notice, effective from October 1, 2026. During the contractual period, the government explicitly adopts the principles of “fairness, transparency, and user pays” in improving the concession duct**-sharing mechanism, charging CTM fees for using assets concerning other licence holders, the statement said.
The statement pointed out that the government expects that all operators benefiting from these measures will ultimately pass on the benefits to their customers. Additionally, the government has mandated CTM to implement price reductions for individual customers and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), covering a range of services including commercial fixed telephony, broadband, and leased lines services, in response to public concern about telecom service pricing, considering the arrangements for the short-term extension of the agreement.
Macau Institution of Engineers Chairman Joe Wu Chou Kit told reporters on the sidelines that the government’s forthcoming policy on the open access to common ducts and telecommunication pipelines will promote competition in the telecom market and reduce public communication costs.
Wu emphasised that the enactment of the city’s amended telecommunication law is a critical prerequisite, and he called for its swift submission by the government to the Legislative Assembly for debate, review and vote to regulate market liberalisation.
Macau Computer Chamber Chairman Au Ka Fai told reporters on the sidelines of the briefing session that the revision of the licensing system must keep pace with the times to ensure high-quality and affordable services, aligning with standards in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and elsewhere in the Chinese mainland. Au emphasised the significant potential of emerging fields such as cloud computing and virtual space leasing, particularly when combined with the resource integration advantages of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, to drive Macau’s smart city development.
*A living agreement is a document or set of rules that is designed to be updated and changed over time. – DeepSeek
**Macau’s extensive network of underground conduits (ducts) that house fibre optic cables and other lines. – DeepSeek
Macau Post and Telecommunications Bureau (CTT) Director Derby Lau Wai Meng (centre), CTT Deputy Director Lao Lan Wa (left) and CTT Telecommunications Management Department Chief Choi Fan pose during yesterday's briefing session at the CTT headquarters. – Photo: Armindo Neves
