PRESS RELEASE

Mumbai, July 13, 2004

Hutch, India's leading pure play cellular service, today launched its services in Punjab with the latest range of multimedia mobile services, including GPRS-based services like push2talk, mobile gaming, Click&Print MMS, and state-wide customer service support. This was announced by Asim Ghosh, Managing Director, Hutchison Essar, in Chandigarh today.

Announcing the launch of Hutch in Punjab, Asim Ghosh, said, "The people of Punjab are used to the latest and best in every category. Punjab also has the highest mobile penetration amongst the states. We have committed to investments worth Rs. 460 crores for the Punjab circle, to build the most advanced GSM network in the country and offer not just basic mobile service but the widest range of multimedia mobile services as well."

Commenting on service values of Hutch, Rajiv Sawhney, Executive Director, Hutchison Essar, said, "We want to provide the latest range of multimedia mobile content to our users - whether its for keeping in touch with others for information or entertainment. Multimedia applications such as push2talk, Click&Print MMS and MS Outlook on mobile phones are some of the unique services available only to Hutch users. This follows our service philosophy about delivering performance and making the experience enjoyable at the same time for all those who come into contact with it. The Hutch brand is not just a logo or only a telecom brand - it is a service philosophy and represents our unique way of doing business."

Added Rajiv Sawhney, "We have led the development and adoption of GPRS-based multimedia services in India. With over 2 lac GPRS users, we have over 50% of the GPRS subscriber base in the country. Despite the high mobile penetration, mobile users in Punjab have yet to experience many of these services. I am confident that our multimedia service offerings will hold special appeal for the trend-setting people of Punjab."

Commenting on Hutch's state-wide presence, Arun K. Kapoor, Chief Operating Officer, Hutch Punjab, said, "People in Punjab travel extensively within the state. Keeping this in mind, we have focussed on seamless connectivity across state and national highways, railway routes and commercial centres. The Hutch network is already present across 64 towns and cities, which are home to over 85% of the current cellular subscriber base in Punjab."

Speaking about the special services for Hutch users, Arun K. Kapoor, said, "Hutch users in Punjab will get a chance to choose their own mobile number. They will also get an enhanced 32 K SIM card which allows for a 250 number phone book. In addition to this, the entire Hutch range of innovative value added services - special applications such as push2talk, Java-based mobile gaming, 'live' video clips and Click&Print MMS; the VOX Voice Response Service that provides cricket updates, ring tones, jokes, stock information and news with voice commands; Microsoft Outlook on Hutch mobile phones; Hutch Alive cell-broadcast service; Group Messaging and Missed Call Alerts will also be available. Hutch users will also enjoy the benefit of the widest two-way international roaming coverage and 24-hour customer care through a dedicated customer service helpline."

Hutch is one of the leading international cellular brands in Hutchison Telecom's family of international communications brands that has already established itself across the country. Hutch has been conceptualized and developed by the same team which created Orange, which is today recognised as an outstanding global marketing success story.