[Press Release]

Hong Kong, 30 October 2003 - Hutchison Global Communications (HGC) announced today that it has won a data services contract from the Leisure and Culture Service Department of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region worth over HK$3.7 million.

Under the terms of the contract, HGC will deploy its 'MetroNET' Gigabit Ethernet Wide Area Network (WAN) solution to extend the Hong Kong Public Libraries' (HKPL) Multimedia Information Systems (MMIS) from the Hong Kong Central Library to 26 major and district libraries across the territory. Using dual Gigabit Ethernet core links and 26 dedicated remote fiber lines, the project will be completed by the end of 2003 in two phases.

MMIS, an award-winning system developed by HKPL, has a tremendous track record with an amazing hit rate of over 1.7 million since its inauguration in 2001. The system provides over 1,200 hours of digitized audio-visual materials and 1.9 million pages of digitized images and documents from workstations in the libraries and on the Web. The system also incorporates more than 80,000 items of audio-visual/CD-ROM materials and over 80 online reference resources in different subject areas for ready access through the libraries' workstations.

The Ethernet-based service extension enables public users to transcend geographical boundaries, allowing easy access to MMIS services from major and district libraries that are convenient to them. With enhanced network capability features and speedy transmission, the extended service will allow the general public to experience seamless broadband access to multimedia information at a dedicated 13Mbps symmetrical transmission speed.

The winning of the MMIS extension contract further demonstrates the increasing popularity of HGC's MetroNET solutions in both the public and private sectors. "HGC was chosen for this contract because our top-notch optical fiber system creates a seamless and highly efficient data transmission network for HKPL. The excellent resilience, easy manageability and simplified maintenance of our network allows HKPL to enhance its multimedia services in a flexible manner," said Steve Lam, Sales and Marketing Director of HGC.

Reaping the benefits of the high scalability and flexibility of HGC's fiber optic network, HKPL can upgrade network capacity at anytime to complement its unceasing transformation to the provision of digitalized library services. The capacity of the two core links can be boosted from the current bandwidth of 100Mbps to 1Gbps, while the remote links can be upgraded from 13Mbps to 100Mbps upon request.

In addition, HGC's Ethernet-based MetroNET can support HKPL to expand its local area networks (LANs) into WANs using its familiar, well-established Ethernet architecture. It helps minimize the need for complex WAN infrastructures involving additional networking equipment, multiple carriers, dedicated technical staff, and multiple network protocol conversions. Converging data, voice and video over a single fiber network, provides an end-to-end solution that simplifies network administration while developing the infrastructure in an efficient and cost effective manner.

About Hutchison Global Communications

Hutchison Global Communications (HGC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hutchison Whampoa Group, owns and operates the largest full fiber-optic network in Hong Kong. Together with the unlimited scalability of its bandwidth capacity from its global submarine cable systems and direct link to mainland China networks, HGC provides instant connectivity to cities in Asia, the US and Europe.

Riding on HGC's advanced fiber-optic technology, its customers enjoy its leading-edge services such as Ethernet symmetrical broadband access, corporate data transmission solutions, International Private Leased Circuit Services, Internet Protocol Transit Services, as well as quality local and overseas call services. Building on its leading presence in Hong Kong, HGC is also planning to gain a further strategic foothold in the global marketplace. For more details, please visit www.hgc.com.hk.

Media Enquiry:

Hutchison Global Communications
Ms. Agnes CHAN
Senior Manager - Public Relations
Tel : 2128 6708
Fax : 2187 2055
Email : pr@hgc.com.hk