Page 9 - Sphere No.11 (Apr 2004)

S PHERE
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Hutchison Global Communications (HGC) and KT Corporation
(KT) on March 2 established the world's first inter-Autonomous System
(AS) International Ethernet network.
The network, driven byVirtual Private LAN Service (VPLS) technology, offers multipoint-
to-multipoint International Ethernet services and allows enterprises to connect their Hong
Kong and South Korean Ethernet LANs in a simple, flexible and cost-effective manner.
Since its launch
in March 2001,
a far-sighted education initiative by
Hutchison Global Communications
(HGC) has been used by over 70% of
primary and secondary schools in Hong
Kong.Thanks to HGC, these schools have
enjoyed high-speed broadband links that
have opened the door to state-of-the-art
multi-media education applications.
The School Fibre Broadband initiative caught
the eye of the education sector in the
Mainland and a delegation from the PRC
Ministry of Education and Center for
Educational Technology visited Hong
Kong in February to see the benefits for
themselves. Senior Hong Kong educators,
along with officials from HGC and Mintel
Inc, shared their experience on the use
of the Internet and multi-media platforms
for education.
HGC also met and reported to the PRC
Ministry of Education on a joint project
with Mintel in Dec. 2003 on promoting
multi-media education platforms to
Mainland schools.
Officials came out in support of conducting
trials in Beijing and Shanghai with a view
to further extending the concept in China.
Ethernet Link-up
ASIA
HONG KONG / CHINA
Hutchison Australia
reported total operating
revenue of A$340.1 million (approximately
US$248.2 million) in 2003, an increase of
50% on 2002.
The company recorded a net loss after tax of
A$409.8 million compared to a loss of
A$197.3 million in the prior year, an increase
that is principally attributed to the launch of 3.
The year was marked by a 61% increase in
mobile revenue and strong customer growth
in both the 3 and the Orange brands.
Launched in Sydney and Melbourne in April
2003 and expanded to other licence areas in
July, 3 contributed A$88.2 million to total
revenue with an EBITDA loss of A$306.1
million, reflecting start-up losses. Customer
numbers grew to 86,758 by year-end and
passed the 100,000 mark early in 2004.
Average revenue per user was A$80, an
industry high, with a churn rate of 1.1%.
The Orange business recorded its first full year
positive EBITDA of A$21.6 million
compared with an EBITDA loss of A$14.1
million in 2002.The Orange mobile customer
base grew 23% to 325,180, contributing
A$221.9 million to total revenue, an increase
of 15%.
For full results see: www.hutchison.com.au
AUSTRALIA
Two new model video
mobile phones were
exclusively released into 3
operations around the globe in
February.
The Motorola A925 is
a powerful dual mode
(3G/2.5G) device with
industry-leading features that
include video calling, MPEG4
video streaming, video
messaging, MP3, fully
functional PDA, and POP3 &
IMAP4 e-mail access. It
supports up to 256MB
memory stick duo, has 65K
colour touch screen, a Symbian
Operating System for installing
third party software, Java
application downloads, and has
GPRS with
transmission speeds
of up to 53.6kbps. It
is also Global
Satellite Positioning
(AGPS) enabled, has
bluetooth
connectivity, a built-in
180º rotatableVGA
camera and quad-band
UMTS/GSM
capability.
The NEC 313
supports video calling,
MPEG4 video
streaming, video messaging, MP3, POP3 &
IMAP4 e-mail access and Java application
downloads. It supports up to 128MB memory
stick duo and has a 65K colour screen and
a built-in 180º rotatableVGA camera.
GLOBAL
Hot Handsets
3 kicked off video
coverage of the UEFA
Champions League with the first game
between Bayern München and Real
Madrid on Feb. 24.The service allows
customers of 3 to stay informed about
current action and results
with near-live video
coverage of at least
two games per
game day.The
highlights of the
rest of the
matches are also
available and
fans who don’t
want to miss
a single goal can
subscribe to the
Flash service.
Good Timing
GLOBAL
Revenues Rise
T E L E C O M S ( 3 G )
HGC Shares Education Expertise
T E L E C O M S ( 2 G )