News release

London June 7 2004

3, the UK's first video mobile network, today announced that in partnership with Fonebak it has launched a handset recycling scheme. Through this initiative 3 is aiming to raise 40,000 this year for two charities through the recycling of old and unwanted mobiles.

The two charities to benefit from the initiative are Brainwave, a leading charity for children with special needs and Groundwork, a world-class environmental regeneration charity. These two charities were selected by 3 following an internal staff vote.

Under the scheme, which launches today, 3 is inviting members of the public to deposit their old mobiles into the Fonebak recycling boxes. These pillar and counter top boxes are located in all 160 3 stores around the UK including flagship shops and 3Points in Superdrug.

Each handset left at a deposit point goes to the Fonebak recycling centre, once there it will be assessed for suitability for reuse and if that is not possible it will be recycled.

If a handset is recycled through Fonebak's award winning recycling scheme, it is dismantled, the batteries go to a specialist battery recycler, metals are extracted and used again, the plastics are either recycled and reused, or incinerated, with the energy produced used for heating.

Gareth Jones, COO 3 UK said: "3 is shaking up the UK mobile market, our range of video mobiles and great value price plans are seeing ever greater numbers of customers joining our network. A by-product of this success is increased numbers of used handsets being handed in by our customers, by joining the Fonebak handset recycling scheme 3 ensures that we can take your old phone, recycle it and the proceeds go to help 3's chosen charities. Fonebak is the leader in the field of handset recycling and we're very excited that the proceeds from this scheme will also be benefiting 3's chosen charities Brainwave and Groundwork."

Kathy Woodward, Managing Director of Fonebak said: "We are very pleased that 3 has joined the Fonebak scheme as this will bring positive benefits to not only the environment but also to 3's chosen charities Brainwave and Groundwork."

"We are delighted that 3 has selected Brainwave to benefit financially from the Company's mobile handset recycling scheme," said David Davies of Brainwave. "The Charity relies on corporate support to fund its therapy services to brain injured children and their families throughout the UK. With Brainwave's branding on the recycling boxes, the promotion should also raise the Charity's profile and lead to more children receiving help."

"We are very pleased that 3 is taking its environmental responsibilities seriously by initiating this recycling scheme and also pleased that the proceeds will go towards improving the quality of life in some of the country's most deprived communities," said Graham Duxbury, Public Relations Manager for Groundwork. "We value the commitment and support we receive from the private sector and recognise the importance of corporate social responsibility to delivering sustainable development."

Notes to the Editor:

Brainwave

Every year in this country a large number of children become brain injured, sometimes through an accident, sometimes as the result of a genetic condition or birth trauma. At Brainwave's growing international centre in Somerset, which was set up in 1982, more than 1400 brain injured children have been treated. Families are invited to the charity's Bridgwater Centre where the children are assessed and the therapists design programmes of physical and cognitive exercises. These are then taught to the parents or carers who return home and, often with the help of friends and relations, practice with their child for up to 15 hours per week. Eighty per cent of children on the programmes have made significant progress. Whilst the Charity receives no statutory funding and is therefore reliant on the generosity of donors, every child's programme in the UK is subsidised by a minimum of 75%.

Groundwork

Groundwork is a federation of 50 Trusts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, each working with their partners to improve the quality of the local environment, the lives of local people and the success of local businesses.

Every year Groundwork Trusts deliver thousands of projects in neighbourhoods which are blighted by high unemployment and crime levels, poor public health, run-down housing and public spaces, waste ground and struggling businesses.

From small community schemes to major regional and national programmes, Groundwork uses the environment as a means of engaging and motivating local people to improve their quality of life.

Fonebak

Fonebak is the First Mobile Phone recycling scheme in the world, which has received the endorsement of all the major network providers, major retail chains and the government and complies with all current applicable legislation and is involved in the governmental consultation process regarding forthcoming European legislation (WEEE Directive).

Last year Fonebak processed over 1.5 million handsets and was the winner of the BITC (Business in the Community) award for environmental excellence.

3 UK

Hutchison 3G UK Limited deliver third-generation mobile multimedia and communications services under the 3 brand in the UK, offering a convergence of media, information and telephony to enable live video calls, multimedia content and entertainment while on the move.

3 services are available from sister companies in Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy and Sweden. 3 also holds UMTS licences in Ireland, Israel and Norway.

For further information, please visit: www.three.co.uk