IntroductionIntroduction

Communication = exchange of information for:

• Trade transactions

• Management and internal co-ordination

• Co-operation with other auxiliary services

• Business development

• Understanding of the market

Postal Postal CommunicationsCommunications

1. Letter post:– Local mail and overseas mail– Postcard– Aerogramme– Printed papers

2. Parcel post:– Small packet– Parcel

Postal Postal CommunicationsCommunications

3. Bulk mail:– Local bulk mail

Franking machine

Postal CommunicationsPostal Communications

Permit mailing system– Hong Kong post circular service – Overseas bulk mail

– Business reply service– Express delivery

service– Registration– Insurance

Postal CommunicationsPostal Communications

– Post office box– Speedpost– Local courierpost servic

e– E-cert

4. Other postal services:

Courier Services and Courier Services and Express DeliveriesExpress Deliveries

• Handle customs clearance

• Speedy and reliable

• More expensive

TelecommunicationsTelecommunications

1. Telephone service:– Local telephone services– International telephone services

International Direct Dialling (IDD)

Operator connected call Conference calling International toll free service

— Mobile phone services

2. Infoline

3. Radio paging service

4. Facsimile

5. Electronic mail

6. Datapak

TelecommunicationsTelecommunications

7. Videotex

8. Video conferencing

9. Cable television

10. Satellite television

TelecommunicationsTelecommunications

Factors Affecting Factors Affecting the Decision on the Means of the Decision on the Means of

Communication UsedCommunication Used

1. Cost

2. Urgency

3. Availability

4. Function restriction

5. Reliability

6. Confidentiality

7. Accuracy

8. Co-ordination with other means

9. Cope with future development

Recent Development of Recent Development of Communication Services Communication Services

and Facilities in Hong Kongand Facilities in Hong Kong

• Improvement in postal services

• Popularity of communications facilities

• Open of the telecommunication market

• Popularity of mobile phones

• The Internet

• Popularity of computer knowledge

The end of this chapterThe end of this chapter