AY2526 S4 IGCSE ICT Learning Journey to HKT Ltd. Data Center

On Wednesday, 28 January 2026, our S4 IGCSE ICT students participated in an immersive industry visit to the Hong Kong Telecom Ltd. (HKT) Data Center. This learning journey provided a unique bridge between theoretical classroom concepts and the large-scale infrastructure required to power a global smart city. Over the course of two hours, students explored the backbone of Hong Kong’s digital ecosystem, gaining a first-hand look at how TV, voice, and internet services are maintained for millions of users.

During the visit, students were provided HKT’s holistic measures for network monitoring. They learnt about the detection of errors and disruptions, as well as how the company manages network faults, incidents, and crisis situations, including natural disasters and emergencies. They were also given an opportunity to visit HKT’s Service Operations Center (SOC) and the Exchange Centre, allowing them to gain invaluable insights into the backend operations and safety measures taken that underpin continuous safe telecommunications services offered to critical organisations such as the Hong Kong Police, Hong Kong Jockey Club, Green Minibus (GMB), and the Hong Kong Exchange.

This visit to HKT Ltd. transcended standard ICT curriculum goals, offering students a “behind-the-scenes” perspective on the telecommunications industry. Students moved beyond seeing “the internet” as an abstract concept and began to understand it as a massive, managed physical asset, thereby developing an appreciation towards the concept of scale in information and communication technology. The HKT Exchange Centre demonstrated how millions of connections can be managed through rigorous organization and labeling, emphasizing the critical principle of systemic organization of ICT. Students gained a profound respect for the 24/7 technical operations required to ensure Hong Kong remains a leading global hub for connectivity.

By witnessing the synergy between service operations and physical infrastructure, our students returned with a deeper, more practical understanding of the IGCSE ICT syllabus and its real-world applications.