On 25th February 2026, MTel Telecom Co., Ltd. successfully held its Bingwu Year Media Spring Banquet at the Banquet Hall on the 4th floor of L’Arc Hotel, Macau. Leaders from major local media organisations and all staff of MTel Telecom gathered to celebrate the Spring Festival of the Bingwu Year and discuss the new future for the development of Macau’s telecommunications and digital industries. Dr. Choi Tak Meng, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MTel Telecom Co., Ltd., in his speech, extended sincere New Year greetings to the attending guests, friends from the media and colleagues. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to all sectors of society for their care and support for MTel Telecom all along, and warmly welcomed media friends for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend the event. Meanwhile, Dr. Choi reviewed the company’s development achievements in 2025, outlined its development blueprint for 2026, and shared views and suggestions on the legislation of the new Telecommunications Law of Macau.

Dr. Choi reviewed MTel Telecom’s progress and remarkable achievements in 2025. He stated that 2025 was a fruitful year for MTel Telecom, during which the company developed in tandem with Macau’s digital industry and deepened its presence in optical communications and digital technology. MTel Telecom has been implementing the Macau’s “1+4” Moderately Diversified Development Strategy and continuously consolidating the foundation of digital infrastructure. During the year, the company further optimised F5G next-generation optical communication network coverage and supported the Macau’s construction of New Area Zone A by promoting the installation of OLT regional equipment rooms in the area. MTel Telecom successively joined the Pan Asia eCommerce Alliance (PAA) as a member and became a member of the World Internet Conference Think Tank, the Professional Committee of E-Commerce, and the Professional Committee of Digitalisation of Cultural Heritage, effectively enhancing the international influence of Macau’s communication enterprises and e-commerce sector. Furthermore, the company successfully passed multiple management system audits and recertifications, obtaining seven ISO certification certificates, which advanced corporate governance towards standardisation and high standards. Seizing the development wave of artificial intelligence, MTel Telecom arranged six technical and management personnel to study in the Chinese mainland, who successfully obtained the Generative AI Technology (Trainer) Training Certificate issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People’s Republic of China, reserving high-quality talents for the company’s long-term development.

Notably, MTel Telecom achieved major breakthroughs in scientific and technological innovation cooperation in 2025. Several research projects jointly applied with mainland partners received joint funding from the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China and the Science and Technology Development Fund of Macau. More importantly, the Joint Future Technologies Laboratory, co-established by MTel Telecom with Yongjiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Province) and Wuhan Changguang Technology Co., Ltd. (Hubei Province), was officially inaugurated. Focusing on three core directions — optical communications and next-generation information networks, electronic information materials and components, and the integration of digital technology with local industries — the laboratory aims to build a comprehensive innovation platform integrating scientific research, technology development, product verification, industrial transformation and talent cultivation. It also serves as preliminary preparation for the “Science and Technology R&D Industrial Park” to be developed by the Macao SAR Government, supporting the nurturing and growth of Macau’s high-tech industries. The laboratory represents a precise match between high-quality mainland innovation resources and Macau’s industrial needs, forming an integrated “research + technology + operation” model and helping Macau integrate into the national science and technology innovation system.

Looking ahead to 2026, Dr. Choi pointed out that this year marks the beginning of the Macao SAR Government’s “3rd Five-Year Plan”, a crucial year for accelerating economic diversification and fostering new-quality productive forces, as well as the inaugural year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. Meanwhile, Macau will soon introduce the new Telecommunications Law and the proposed “joint venture company” under the law, bringing unprecedented opportunities as well as new challenges to Macau’s telecommunications industry. On the occasion of the spring reception, he briefed media friends in detail on MTel Telecom’s proposals regarding the new Telecommunications Law, shared utility tunnels and the use of concessionary assets.

Regarding the legislation of the new Telecommunications Law, Dr. Choi suggested that the Macao SAR Government should fully consider Macau’s characteristics as a micro-economy, clarify the scale and structure of the local telecommunications market, and balance market efficiency and long-term development while introducing competition mechanisms. He called for avoiding a repeat of market exit by individual operators caused by rigidly increased operating costs and unrestricted entry of new operators. Instead, a fair competition ecosystem should be created to encourage continuous investment in technology upgrading and infrastructure construction, ultimately benefiting Macau’s residents, enterprises and social livelihood.

On the management and use of shared utility tunnels, Dr. Choi stated that the current framework still has room for improvement, and there is an urgent need to clearly define the rights, responsibilities and interests of concessionary companies at the legal level, as relevant detailed rules have not yet reached full consensus among all users. Taking New Area Zone A as an example, he pointed out that the current charging standards for shared utility tunnels are excessively high, leading to higher operating costs for the company compared with self-built infrastructure. The long-term recurring charging model will become a heavy cost burden for enterprises. Having accumulated rich experience in pipeline operation and maintenance over the past decade with minimal secondary road excavation, MTel Telecom believes that the use of shared utility tunnels not only fails to leverage the company’s advantages in refined operation and maintenance but also increases costs. He hoped that all parties could reach an agreement on the use of shared utility tunnels as soon as possible. Recently, MTel Telecom has formally appealed to relevant authorities including the Environmental Protection Bureau of the Macao SAR Government and Companhia de Electricidade de Macau (CEM) regarding these issues.

Regarding the utilisation of concession assets, Dr. Choi pointed out that the current thresholds for using such assets and their application costs are both high. Since the relevant application arrangements came into effect on 1st January 2026, not a single enterprise has successfully utilised concession assets as of that date. This clearly demonstrates that the existing application thresholds, approval processes and cost structures are out of step with actual market demand. He called on the government to optimise the mechanism for opening up concessionary assets, lower the barriers to entry, clarify the criteria for application fees and the feasibility of contract signing, and thereby truly achieve the efficient sharing of telecommunications infrastructure.

Dr. Choi emphasised that, as a local private optical communications enterprise in Macau, MTel Telecom understands that the healthy development of the industry relies on clear, fair and forward-looking legal protection. He hoped to work with media friends to follow the legislative process of the new Telecommunications Law and promote its alignment with Macau’s “1+4” economic diversification strategy. He thanks once again the strong leadership of the Macao SAR Government, the full support of all sectors of society and the hard work of all colleagues. He sincerely hoped that media friends would continue to follow and support MTel Telecom and offer valuable advice. The company will listen extensively to public opinions, continuously optimise its services and pursue innovative development.

Looking to 2026, Dr. Choi stated that the country will continue to advance the construction of Digital China and the Digital Bay Area, accelerate the deployment of new infrastructure such as 10G optical networks and artificial intelligence, and promote efficient, convenient and secure cross-border data flows. MTel Telecom will follow the policy directions of the state and the Macao SAR Government, take the initiative to shoulder its responsibilities, sail with innovation and row with cooperation. While promoting its own high-quality development, the company will contribute more digital power to the cultivation of Macau’s high-tech industries and economic diversification, helping Macau, the pearl of the motherland, shine even more brightly in the digital era.

All attendees exchanged views and shared insights on the development direction of Macau’s telecommunications industry in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.