Dedicated Radio Spectrum Powers Low-altitude Economy
As Hong Kong advances to become a major Asia-Pacific hub for low-altitude economy (LAE) innovative applications, the availability of reliable radiocommunications infrastructure for unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations has become increasingly crucial. Data transmission and control of UAS require reliable and secure radiocommunications. Currently, most of the UAS operations in Hong Kong make use of Wi-Fi connections or 4G/5G public mobile services. To cater for the need of UAS operators to set up their own radiocommunications systems for UAS operations, the Communications Authority (CA) has made available the 1430-1444 MHz band (1.4 GHz band) for use by UAS and created a new licence, i.e. the UAS (Private) Licence, on 27 October 2025 to facilitate usage of the dedicated spectrum, a strategic move positioning Hong Kong as a regional leader in LAE development.
Key Features Enabling Success
The dedicated spectrum for UAS can provide an additional radiocommunications solution to UAS operators in addition to the current use of Wi-Fi and 4G/5G mobile networks for data transmission and control, enhancing support for the safe and efficient UAS operation and fostering the development of the LAE ecosystem on radiocommunications.
At present, the 1.4 GHz band is available for use by projects under the LAE Regulatory Sandbox launched by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. LAE Regulatory Sandbox participants interested in applying for the UAS (Private) Licence in order to set up private radiocommunications systems for their own UAS operations should have already obtained Civil Aviation Department's approval on specific flight paths when submitting the application.
As UAS applications are evolving quickly in Hong Kong, CA’s allocation of dedicated spectrum and licensing framework for the UAS (Private) Licence are set to foster innovative telecommunications infrastructure development essential to LAE development. Hong Kong is not only open for innovation, we are equipped with robust radiocommunications networks that make safe, efficient, scalable UAS operations possible.
Click here to access the relevant press release.
[Acknowledgement to the Office of the Communications Authority for providing material for the story.]
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