Gov’t OKs CMHK offer in planned HKBN acquisition

Communication Authority has accepted relevant commitment.

The Communication Authority (CA) has accepted an undertaking from China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited (CMHK) regarding its proposed acquisition of HKBN Ltd and will not commence an investigation under the Competition Ordinance (CO).

CMHK announced the proposed transaction on 2 December 2024, which falls under CO’s merger rules.

The CA identified a competition issue regarding fixed local access networks that might arise from the proposed transaction after an assessment and concern to CMHK.

In May 2025, CMHK offered a set of commitments to address the concern, after public consultation and revisions, the CA is satisfied with the commitments.

Therefore, the CA will not commence investigation into the proposed transaction and released a statement on 1 August.

In addition, the CA approved WarnerMedia Asia Pacific (HK) Limited's application for renewal of its non-domestic television program service license, which will start from 1 October 2025, to 30 September 2037 (both dates inclusive).

The above decisions were made by the CA at its 144th meeting in July 2025.