CTT History

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Postal Services (1884 ~ )

Starting from a small post office opened in the postmaster's house in 1884, CTT has today developed into a postal network including 15 post offices located in different regions of Macao, one General Post Office located at the Headquarters in Senado Square, one Mail Exchange Centre, 40 automatic stamp vending machines and 61 pillar boxes dispersed throughout the city and islands to provide convenient services to the clients.

At the end of the 19th century, Macao external traffic relied mainly on maritime transportation. Letter boxes installed on the ships "Hong Kong", "Xiangshan", "Jiangmen" and "Perseverance" provided convenience for businessmen who frequently travelled outside Macao. On the other hand, the leased P.O. Box Service at the post office was launched in 1905. The first six iron-cast round pillar boxes, weighing 800 pounds each, were installed in the streets of Rua da Penha, Rua da Praia do Manduco, Largo do Pagode, Rua dos Algibebes, Largo de Camões and Rua do Campo, respectively, in 1910. In the following decade, the Central Post Office and post stations of Ship-Seng, Portas do Cerco, Taipa, Coloane, Hac-Sa, Ka-Hó and Mong Ha were opened one after the other.

The earliest airmail transport in Macao took place in the 1930s, CTT used "Deli" to directly dispatch mailbags to Lisbon and New Goa. Since Macao became one of the stops of the Pacific route, the arrival of the first flight by a Clipper of Pan American Airways, carrying around 40,000 airmail items to Macao, and the same number of mails on its return journey, yielding a record of mail dispatch at that time. As the scale of postal services continued to grow, CTT established new services in the 1950s, such as Recording Postal Service, the use of Philippine Airlines to dispatch mailbags and the construction of Postal-Telephone Stations in Taipa and Coloane, respectively. It's worth referring that CTT Practical School launched training courses in Postal-Telegraphy, Radiotelegraphic and Electric Mechanical for its staff and for those who were preparing to work in CTT.

During the 1960s to 1970s, the Almirante Lacerda Post Office was inaugurated and the Express Mail Service (EMS) was launched. During the 20 years before Macao's return to the motherland, from the 1980s to the end of the 1990s, several post offices, namely, Areia Preta, Mong-Há, Maritime Terminal, Airport, Rua do Campo and Cultural Centre were opened respectively. CTT launched the Intelpost/Electronic Mail Service and installed Postal Kiosks in various locations where there were no post offices. These postal kiosks worked like a mini post office to provide mailing service and selling of Macao stamps. During the same period, the Mail Handling and Delivery Centre, situated in D. Maria II was opened with upgraded equipment and improved working environment. Macao is the first Asian city to install 24-hour automatic stamp vending machines. From 1997 onwards, CTT had implemented a project to replace the old pillar boxes in the streets with new fiberglass pillar boxes shaped like a Chinese pavilion.

CTT continued to improve its postal facilities and services during the first 20 years of the millennium. New post offices, namely, Ocean Gardens, Nova Taipa, Seac Pai Van, University of Macao, Taipa Terminal and Fai Chi Kei were opened, and refurbished the post offices of Mong-Há, Areia Preta, Almirante Lacerda and Coloane, as well as launching the Direct Mail Service and the introduction of the Performance Pledge. Following the publication of the Regulations for the Electronic Postal Certification Mark and the Postal Registered Electronic Mail, the services of Secure Electronic Postal Box (SEPBox) and eDirect Mail were launched. After the completion of the Automatic Counter System, CTT launched the QR code postage label with an unique electronic signature and the eLocker Service. The "Newvision" Automatic Stamp Vending Machine was introduced during the occasion of the "Macao 2018 - 35th Asian International Stamp Exhibition".

Today, Macao residents and tourists can choose service that best meets their needs from a range of extensive and high quality postal services provided by CTT.


Philately (1884 ~ )

The "Crown" stamp is the first official stamp of Macao. From 1884 to 1984, Macao stamps issue could simply divide into two periods. First period, the Portuguese Dynasty, is the period where kings' profiles were always printed on stamps. With the establishment of the Republic of Portugal in 1910, issues with local scenery and themes began to appear on Macao stamps. The formation of the Philatelic Division in 1984 initiated the beginning of CTT's Macao stamps issue plan, rewriting time to time the records of the history of Macao Stamps.

If 1985 to 1999 is the blooming period of Macao stamps, then the use of the denomination "Macao, China" in stamp issues since the "Commemoration of the Establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China" on December 20, 1999 resembles that Macao stamps, with its unique characteristics, have shown to the world its multiculturalism of the East and the West. At the same time, Macao stamps are recognized and appreciated by the international philatelic market for their diverse themes and high quality.

In 1993, the first issue of postage label "The Post Closer to You" was launched. Later, in 2013, it was decided to issue a series of postage labels with the theme of Chinese zodiac, similar to the regular issues of the zodiac stamp series every year. In 2001, "In Commemoration of Beijing's Successful Bid for Hosting the 2008 Olympic Games" marked the first joint issue by China, Hong Kong and Macao and CTT issued the first personalized stamps "Love and Blessings" in 2015. In terms of international cooperation, joint issues such as "Local Delights", "Church Windows", "Christmas" and "General Post Office Building" were cooperation with Singapore Post, Aland Post - Finland, Greenland Post and Thailand Post, respectively. In 2006, the online stamp subscription service was launched, allowing stamp collectors to order their favorite philatelic products instantly.

In the first two decades of the 21st century, Macao stamps illustrated the growth and development of the Macao SAR, including: "Macao, A New Era" in 2000, "Commemoration of the 400th Anniversary of the Construction of the Church of St.Paul" and "Commemoration of the 160th Anniversary of Zheng Guanying's Birth" in 2002, "Sai Van Bridge" and "Macao 2005, 4th East Asian Games" in 2005, "Macao Science Center" in 2009, "A New Era of Smoke-free Macao" and "20 Years of Safeguarding Honesty and Transparency" in 2012, "20th Anniversary of the Promulgation of the Basic Law of Macao" and "20th Anniversary of the Macao-European Union Agreement for Trade and Cooperation" in 2013, "The New Campus of the University of Macau" in 2014, "150th Anniversary of Guia Lighthouse", special issues of postage and label stamps of the "Macao 2018 - 35th Asian International Stamp Exhibition", "65th Macao Grand Prix" in 2018, "135th Anniversary of Macao Post and Telecommunications", "Macao New Eight Scenic Spots" and "Taipa Line Operation - Macao Light Rapid Transit" in 2019 and, "Fight Against the Epidemic Together" in 2020.

Macao stamps did not miss the chance to witness important national celebration and the moment of completion of large-scale infrastructure, like "In Commemoration of the Participation of the Chinese Team in the 2002 World Cup", "The Successful Flight of China's First Manned Spacecraft" in 2003, "Centenary of the Birth of Deng Xiaoping" in 2004, "The 600th Anniversary of Zheng He's Maritime Expeditions" in 2005, "Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay" and "The Opening of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games", "Expo 2010 Shanghai China", "Centenary of Xinhai Revolution" in 2011, "70th Anniversary of Victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japan" in 2015, "The 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr. Sun Yat Sen" 2016, "90th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army" in 2017, "15th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao)" and "Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge" in 2018, issues of postage and label stamps of "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area", "70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China", "20th Anniversary of the Reunification of Macao with the Motherland" and "20th Anniversary of the People's Liberation Army Garrison Stationed in Macao" in 2020.

To stir up the public's interest in the protection of the ecological environment, CTT conveys the messages through different themes of stamp issues, like "Environmental Protection" in 2002, "50th Anniversary of WWF" in 2011, "Macao Wetlands" in 2015, "Chinese White Dolphin" in 2017 and "Animal Protection II" in 2020.

After the return to the motherland, Macao Stamps were integrated into the catalog of Chinese stamps. Stamp collectors target their collection to a complete set of stamps of China, Hong Kong and Macao. Although the stamp market suffered several major fluctuations at the end of 1999 and during the two decades after the reunification, there is still a great demand of Macao philatelic products in mainland China market. Whenever new stamp issues are on sale, there is always a long queue of people waiting outside the door of Headquarters building. In 2015, the sales revenue of philatelic products broke the record of past years and yielded four times than 2014 with more than 350 million Patacas, this is mainly due to the support of mainland Chinese investors for Macao stamp issues after the reunification of Macao with the motherland.

In spite of providing various services, CTT has not forgotten to contribute to the society. In 2012, the first semi-postal stamps of "ORBIS - 30 Years of Saving Sight" was issued in order to call attention and assistance to patients around the world suffering from blindness, as well as to arouse public awareness to protect their eye sight. The surcharge amount of this issue, as per sales volume, is fully donated to Orbis Macau.

Stamp is a work of art that spreads knowledge, containing rich scientific and cultural information. In order to make this miniature artwork more valuable for entertainment and collection, CTT earnestly adheres to the principle of theme diversification, ensuring creditability and good quality. It is, hence, understandable that many themes of Macao stamps originate from Chinese culture, customs and culture of Macao, science and technology, and themes of international significance. The number of issues and quantity of stamp products must publish in the Gazette of the Macao SAR before issuance to maintain the creditability of Macao stamps.

In terms of quality control, CTT strictly selects overseas printing houses and insists to fabricate stamps with extremely high standard and modern technique. Notwithstanding to invite local well-known painters and stamp designers to collaborate on stamp design, CTT also strives to discover potential young local designers and art workers to experiment in the field of stamp design.

During the years, Macao stamps have received numerous awards around the world, including:

  • Stamps of "Games and Past Times in Macau - Traditional Games": The Asiago Award for Culture, 20th Asiago International Prize for Philatelic Art;
  • Souvenir sheet of "Chinese and Portuguese Ceramics" : The World's Most Beautiful Stamp on Each Continent, 6th Stamp World Cup;
  • Stamps of "Chinese and Portuguese Ceramics": The Asiago Award for Culture, 31st Asiago International Prize for Philatelic Art;
  • Souvenir sheet of "Traditional Instruments": The World's Most Beautiful Souvenir Sheet, 7th Stamp World Cup;
  • Souvenir sheet of "Traditional Instruments": The World's Most Beautiful Souvenir Sheet, 7th Stamp World Cup;
  • Souvenir sheet of "Seng Yu - Idioms III": The Most Beautiful Stamp (8th place), Vienna International Philatelic Exhibition;
  • Souvenir sheet of "Legends and Myths X": The Most Beautiful Stamp (9th place), Vienna International Philatelic Exhibition;
  • Stamps of "Animal Protection": 2014 Social Good Design Awards - For Profit, Client Initiated Category, The Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD) of Canada.

Macao Postal Savings (1917 ~ )

Established in 1917, Macao Postal Savings (CEP) is a credit institution affiliated to CTT, engaging in banking services and regulated by the Financial System Act and the Monetary Authority of Macao. The construction of CEP building finished in 1984. Today its main services include deposits, loans, international remittances, electronic payment platforms, and currency exchange. In addition, CEP is also responsible for the management of the Housing Credit Assistance Fund.

In 2012, CEP was elected as a member of the General Assembly of the Macau Association of Banks, and joined the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) and adopted SWIFT Message Style for interbank payments at the end of the year. In order to integrate more into the banking system, CEP officially joined the Real-time Gross Settlement System (RTGS) in 2013.

CEP mainly provides current deposit services for government agencies and company and, provides loan services for active or retired civil servants and employees of some organizations and companies that have signed loan protocols. In terms of remittance, CEP is currently cooperating with the Western Union, in addition to the past partner - the Philippine Postal Savings Bureau, to provide convenient and reliable international remittance services.

In 2006, CEP developed a one-stop electronic payment platform in order to cope with the e-government policy of the SAR Government. This electronic payment channel serves various public services and it is extended for the use by private organizations in 2013.

In 2017, CEP celebrated its 100th anniversary with the publication of the photo album "A Contribution to the History of Macao" and inauguration of an exhibition of the same theme.


Supervision of the Electric Industries Services (1928 ~ 1985)

The licensing and supervision competences were transferred to CTT in 1928. CTT performed the duty of technical supervision for the establishment and exploration of electric installations from 1935 to 1985.


Radio Broadcasting Services (1933 ~ 1973)

The first radio station was installed at CTT Headquarters and started broadcasting in 1933, but broadcasting only 2 hours a day. When Macao Radio Club established and took over the equipment, the radio station moved out from the Headquarters, changing its broadcasting languages to Portuguese, Cantonese and English, and then it was incorporated into CTT management by 1951. Macao Radio Broadcasting Station was established in 1962 to replace Macao Radio Club. In 1973, CTT transferred its management to Information & Tourism Center.


Telecommunications Services – Operator (1927 ~1981)

Two years after CTT undertook the operation of telephone and wireless telegraph services, the first "Siemens F1 - step by step" Automatic Telephone Exchange was put into service in 1929. The telegraph service was transferred to CTT when the service contract through the submarine cable of the Eastern Extension Australasia & China expired in 1933. In order to cope with the huge demand for services, CTT stepped up the construction of telecom facilities during the 1940s and 1950s. The frequency modulation for Radiotelephone Communications with Hong Kong, Shiqi, Guangzhou and Jiangmen was installed as well as the opening of Macau-Manila, Macao-Tokyo and Macao-Lisbon radio telephone service and the installation of submarine cables connecting Macao, Taipa and Coloane.

In the 1960s, a Radio Station comprising the Transmission Centre in D. Maria II and the Receiving Centre at Guia was built and later a 20-kilowatt transmission station was added for the use of international telegraph. During the 1970s and 1980s, the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Portugal led further economic growth. There were about 12,000 applications waiting for the installation of telephones in Macao, which led CTT to expand twice the "Ericsson AFR503" Automatic Telephone Exchange as well as telephone cable network throughout various locations in Macao. Subsequently, the launch of the 600-line "Ericsson AFR503" in Taipa and Coloane, respectively. Also, a Microwave Link to Hong Kong with a capacity of 300 channels and a 60-chanel VHF underground cable linking Macao to Guangdong Province were put into service.

In 1981, the Government of Macao laid down the general principles for concession of the Public Telecommunications Service in Macao and then, a contract of concession was awarded to CTM. This remarked the end of CTT as a telecom service provider.


Telecommunications Services - Regulator and Radio Spectrum Management (1982 ~ )

1 - CTT (1982 ~ 1999)

At the beginning of the 1980s, CTT started the roles of telecom regulator and radio spectrum management. The new Regulation for Radiocommunications was published and the Radio Monitor Station was installed. Subsequently, the Administrative Regime of Radiocommunications Services and the Legal Regime of the Audiovisual Broadcasting Activity were also published.

The 10-year period in the 1990s pinpointed the peak development of the telecom industry. CTT, delegate of the Government of Macao, signed an agreement for the Coordination of Audio-visual Broadcasting Frequencies with Guangdong Province and published the Radio Broadcasting Regulation and the Amateur Radio Communications Regulation, as well as extending again the Radio Monitoring Station and Laboratory.

In 1995, CTT issued the first license of GSM digital cellular network and authorized the radiocommunications network for the Aircraft Radionavigation Service of Macao International Airport. The most prominent contribution of CTT to the telecom industry was to support CTM in joining the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable international consortium.

Following the promulgation of the Technical Specifications and Testing Conditions for Receivers of Paging Service and the Terrestrial Mobil Service and, the issuance of licenses to Telesat for installation and operation of a Satellite Television Broadcasting System and a Satellite Management System, CTT signed the Concession Contract with Macau Cable TV for the provision of Terrestrial Subscription Television Services. The same year, the CTM's Concession Contract for the Public Telecommunications Services was revised and, concurrently, the mobile and internet market was opened to new entrants.


2 - GDTTI and DSRT (2000 ~ 2016)

In 2000, CTT transferred the role of Telecommunications Regulator and Radio Spectrum Management to the Cabinet for the Development of Telecommunications and Information Technology (GDTTI). From this year to 2016, the Basic Telecommunications Law and the Administrative Regulation for the Operation of Terrestrial Mobil Public Telecommunications Networks and Provision of Public Terrestrial Mobile Telecommunication Services were published. Two additional 2G operators and one virtual mobile operation were introduced, as well as the promotion of interconnection of mobile telecommunications networks and mobile number portability. In addition, the Administrative Regulations regarding the Management and Allocation of Numbering Resources for Telecommunication, Installation and Operation of External Telecommunications Infra-structure, Provision of Internet Services and, the Regime of Interconnection of Public Telecommunication Networks, were also published respectively. A CDMA2000 1X mobile roaming license was issued and corresponding service was launched for operation.

In 2006, GDTTI upgraded to become Bureau of Telecommunications Regulation (DSRT). The fixed, mobile and direct internal telephone numbers were upgraded to 8 digits in two phases and four 3G licenses were issued between 2007 and 2009. The year 2009 is another iconic year, with DSRT announcing that the Wireless Broadband System would be created and fully owned by the Government. This year, the Midterm Review of Concession Agreement of the Public Telecommunications Service was signed with CTM, and determined to fully liberalize the telecom service market in 2012.

In 2010, the wireless broadband system "WiFi GO" service was launched officially, offering free wireless broadband Internet access service to citizens and tourists at designated Government locations, public facilities and tourist attractions. The next year, new Macau Network Information Centre was created to provide services when the Internet Domain Name Registration Regulations for the Macao Special Administrative Region was published. In 2011, the Regime for Installation and Operation of Fixed Public Telecommunications Networks was published, and, in 2013, two licenses were issued to CTM and MTel, respectively.

In 2014, Government signed the Subscription of Terrestrial Television Services Concession Contract and the Concession Contract for Assistance Service in Reception of Basic Television with related operators respectively. The former, allowed the provision of services on a non-exclusive basis, while the later, the provision of assistance to residents in receiving basic television channels on a non-exclusive basis. The same year, the Regulation of Registration of Internet Domain Name Representing the Macao SAR was published and the ".mo" in Chines and Portuguese domain names management and registration was launched. In 2015, four licenses of public terrestrial mobile telecom services using Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology were issued to operators that offered 4G services the same year.


3- CTT (2017 ~ )

In compliance with the decision of the Government of Macao SAR, CTT resumed the duties and competences of telecommunications regulation and the management of the radio form January 1, 2017.

At the end of 2017, "FreeWiFi.MO" program was launched in order to encourage more local entities to provide free WiFi services for sustaining the expansion of coverage of free WiFi in Macao. In 2018, the Government published the new Regulation of Registration of Internet Domain Name Representing Macao SAR, and the management and registration service of Chinese domain name ".澳門" was launched. In 2019, CTT was appointed as the designated supervisory entity of Cybersecurity, with the responsibility to supervise critical infrastructure operators in private sector, such as audio-visual broadcasting companies, operators of public fixed-line or mobile networks, internet service providers, commercial enterprises fully-owned by SAR Macao and, public administrative utility corporations with activities related to science and technology. The operation of all 2G networks and services were ceased at the end of November of 2019 in order to cope with the change of technologies and the effective use of the spectrum.


eSignTrust Certification Services (2016 ~ )

While people are enjoying the convenience in obtaining information and doing business via Internet, this also brings along the security and privacy issues. In order to promote the healthy development of electronic services, CTT has established a reliable Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Following the Law no. 5/2005 - The Legal Regime for the Electronic Documents and Signature, eSignTrust was launched in 2006.

eSignTrust certification services are particularly suitable for service provided through information technologies, ensuring the Authenticity, Integrity, Non-Repudiation and Confidentiality of electronic documents to the users. This service is a basic and essential structure for the implementation and development of e-commerce and e-government in Macao SAR. It provides a series of Electronic Certificates and Encryption Certificates for individual, government and corporate. Types of certificates include Qualified Certificate, Normalized Certificate, Encipherment Certificate and Secure Email Certificate. In addition to certificate issuance, eSignTrust also provides Certificate Life Cycle Management Service such as Certificate Renewal, Suspension, Revocation and Encipherment Private Key Recovery Service, etc.

In order to fulfill the needs of government departments and commercial organizations, eSignTrust also offers PKI Solutions such as PKI Management Solution, IPSec (VPN) Solution, Time Stamping Solution, and PKI Consulting Solution, thus easing their concerns for online security and confidentiality as well as strengthening their confidence in electronic transactions and information security.

eSignCloud Service was launched in 2017, providing users an online signing tool with a safe, reliable and convenient real-name authentication. Users can use their mobile devices to sign an electronic document anytime and anywhere, experiencing a secure, rapid and legal effective e-signing service.


Communications Museum (2016 ~ )

Communications Museum is a scientific museum integrating culture, science and technology with the belief of "Dare to experiment, Dare to discover". The prime objectives of the museum are to serve the Macao citizens, especially primary and secondary students, aiming at stimulating interest in stamp collection, promoting scientific and technical knowledge of telecommunications, while making it more accessible; to be a place of interactivity, exploration, experiment, leisure and inspiring visitors' abilities in the field of telecommunications and a place to promote stamp collection techniques and philatelic products to Macao citizens and tourists.

The permanent exhibitions of the museum are divided into two major categories - Postal/Philatelic and Telecommunications. The experimental and interactive exhibits are installed all over the exhibition gallery, where visitors are encouraged to operate by themselves to understand the science behind the exhibit. The museum provides specialized guided tours for schools and visiting groups, as well as the organization of workshops, science demonstrations and electronic courses. It also provides tailor-made interest group activities, and outreach programs "Museum without Boundary" to schools.

The museum organizes annual activities, like "Science and Arts Activity for Primary Students", "Electronic Device Construction Competition" and "Draw My Story of Stamps Contest" in addition to temporary exhibition from time to time. Besides, Communications Museum also participates in local community activities as well as assisting in organizing student and teacher activities.

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