UTILITIES

Electricity

The current in Hong Kong is 200–220 volts. Plugs can be either square or round pin, with many apartments having a mixture of both, so you may have to buy plug adapters (which are available from hardware shops and ParknShop) for your appliances.

To arrange for electricity connection, you should call the appropriate supplier at least two days before it is required:

• For Hong Kong Island and Lamma Island, call the Hongkong Electric Co. (tel. 2887 3411).
• For Kowloon, the New Territories, Lantau and Cheung Chau, call the China Light and Power Co. (tel. 2678 2678).

A deposit of an estimated two months’ electricity charges is usually required, although in some cases this has already been paid for by the landlord and the tenant may just take over paying the monthly bills.

If you forget to pay your bills you will receive several demands before being disconnected. After payment, electricity will be restored immediately. Emergency 24-hour electricity work can be provided by Hoo Kee Water Electrical Pumping Works (tel. 2572 3706), amongst others.

Electronics

Video players in Hong Kong use the PAL and NTSC systems. DVDs for playing in Hong Kong are labelled ‘Zone 3’.

Gas

Most areas of Hong Kong are linked to the Towngas network. Accounts can be opened by making an application and paying a deposit of $600 (www.towngas.com; tel. 2880 6988).

Older apartments, especially those in parts of the New Territories and apartments in the Outlying Islands, have no mains gas supply. You will therefore need to use bottled LPG gas, which can be delivered to you, or make do with electricity.

Water

Water bills are minimal in Hong Kong and are paid quarterly. For the Water Supplies Department Customer Service, call 2824 5000. For 24-hour plumbing services, call Hoo Kee Water Electrical Pumping Works on 2572 3706.

Telecommunications services

Local calls are free in Hong Kong. Activation of a telephone landline in most buildings is managed by the phone company PCCW (www.pccw.com; tel. 1000), who charge a few hundred dollars every quarter for the privilege of using the line. If you fail to pay, your connection will be terminated and you will need to pay the bill in full plus a reactivation charge.

Most telecommunications companies offer residential and business telephone services, international direct dialling (IDD) and broadband or dial-up Internet services. Well-established phone service companies in Hong Kong include New World Telecom (www.newworldtel.com; tel. 1239), Wharf T & T (www.wharftt.com; tel. 2112 1133) and Hutchison Global Communications (www.hgc.com.hk; tel. 1220).

Companies specializing in IDD and Internet services are springing up all the time, so shop around to get the best deals. PCCW’s Netvigator service is the most widely used in Hong Kong. Others include:

• HKNET (www.hknet.com; tel. 2110 2288); and
• HongKong Broadband (www.ctinets.com).

The website www.zone1511.com offers members a one-stop shop for call management, allowing you to compare the cheapest IDD service providers for different destinations and buy IDD roaming services, and so on.

Calling cards with stored value are another option and may work out much cheaper when calling destinations that don’t generally enjoy special rates from phone companies, such as South Africa. Buy them from Worldwide House in Central or from the many booths advertising them around town.

Television

Free television

Hong Kong has two Chinese language channels and two English language channels – Pearl and ATV World. No TV licence is required.

Pay television

Broadband is widely available in Hong Kong. Star TV can be obtained via pay TV operators Hong Kong Cable Ltd (www.cabletv.com.hk; tel. 183 2832) and PCCW’s now Broadband TV (www.nowbroadbandtv.com; tel. 183 3888). HongKong Broadband Network also offers pay TV on the Internet (www.ctinets.com).

Radio

Dedicated English language radio channels include RTHK Radio 3 (567 kHz) and the BBC World Service (675 kHz).

Home help

It’s common in Hong Kong to hire home help, which is very reasonably priced. Cleaning companies offering hourly services include Merry Maids (www.merrymaids.com.hk; tel. 2857 4038). A local worker charges roughly $50 to $70 per hour.

Alternatively, you can undertake the cost of hiring a full-time Foreign Domestic Helper or FDH (see Chapter Eight, ‘Having and Raising Children’). FDHs are prohibited from working for anyone other than their contractual employer, even with that employer’s consent, although in practice many helpers do work part-time. Punishment for the employer is a maximum fine of $150,000 and one year’s imprisonment. The FDH may be imprisoned and deported. Visit www.amahnet.com and www.proxy-maid.com.hk for more information.