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For Immediate Release
(Hong Kong - 6 February 2005) - Skype, the Global Internet Telephony CompanyTM and Hutchison Global Communications Limited ("HGC"), the operator of the largest fibre-to-the-building network in Hong Kong, today announce a partnership to promote and deliver Skype software to the Hong Kong market.
HGC is the first Fixed Telecommunications Network Services ("FTNS") operator in the world to have reached a co-branding agreement with Luxembourg-based Skype Technologies S.A. Under the agreement, the two partners will bring Skype to Hong Kong through a co-branded "HGC-Skype" portal, which is scheduled to be in service in March 2005.
The Skype deal is another initiative by HGC to realise its partnership strategy, following the company's recent broadband/pay TV collaboration announcement. In delivering "multi-play" applications and content, HGC selects to partner with leading service providers. Through such cooperation, the potential of HGC's top-notch optical fibre network is fully unleashed.
Skype takes communications to a new and global era with its free, multi-faceted and rich communication tools, enabling users to make free voice calls and rich messaging connections via the Internet. Skype is the leading VoIP-category product worldwide, with more than 24 million registered users, and more than 130,000 new users joining per day.
Peter Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HGC, said, "Being a full fledged telecommunications service provider, we launch 'HGC-Skype' to cater for the communications needs of tech-savvy users. We always partner with leading service providers, and Skype is no exception. Our cooperation will bring 'Skype mania' to Hong Kong."
"We are very pleased to join with market-leader Hutchison and are honoured that HGC has recognised Skype's leadership and commitment to innovation," said Niklas Zennström, Skype CEO and co-founder. "We expect our new partnership will prove a powerful combination for the future of Internet telephony,"
To celebrate the launch, the first 500 users who successfully download Skype at the "HGC-Skype" portal
Leveraging the strength of P2P technology, the "HGC-Skype" portal will deliver superior quality voice communications to its users. The "HGC-Skype" portal will offer Hong Kong users free and unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls worldwide and the pre-paid SkypeOut service, which enables users to call any fixed or mobile phone in the world at special rates. Skype calls are end-to-end encrypted for superior privacy.
Other features available at "HGC-Skype" include:
- A Global Directory - a user-built global contact directory with numerous search options and an easy add-a-contact tool
- Instant messaging - with cross platform messaging ability
- Conference calling - instantly create a free five-party conference call
- Logs - reference or discard call and message history
- Presence - easily manage availability and view status of contacts
- Customization - MyPicture image display, ring tones, call alert options
- File transfer - to send and receive files
- Mobility - sign in to a Skype account anywhere in the world
-
Multiple Skype accounts on one computer
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Peter Wong, Chief Executive Officer of HGC, and Niklas Zennström, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Skype, reach a co-branding agreement at the Skype portal.- End - About Hutchison Global Communications Limited
Hutchison Global Communications Limited (HGC) owns the largest fibre-to-the-building telecommunications network in Hong Kong. Since its establishment in 1995, it has been fully committed to building its own network infrastructure. With the scalability of its global bandwidth capacities and direct links to networks in Mainland China, HGC provides instant connectivity around the world, including Asia, North America and Europe.
Riding on HGC's advanced fibre-optic technology, customers enjoy 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 establishing a strategic foothold in the global marketplace.
HGC is a subsidiary of Hutchison Global Communications Holdings Limited (HGCH). HGCH in turn is a member of the Hutchison Telecommunications International group ("Hutchison Telecom") of companies. Hutchison Telecom is a leading telecommunications operator listed on the New York and Hong Kong stock exchanges.
A subsidiary of the multinational conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa, Hutchison Telecom is dedicated to providing superior telecommunications services globally in markets with high growth potential. For more information about HGC, please visit www.hgc.com.hk
About Skype Technologies S.A.
Skype, the Global Internet Telephony CompanyTM, allows people everywhere to make free, unlimited, superior quality voice calls via its award-winning innovative peer-to-peer software for Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and Pocket PC platforms. Skype is available in 20 languages and is the fastest growing voice communications offering worldwide. Since its launch in August 2003, Skype has been downloaded more than 58 million times. Skype Technologies S.A. is headquartered in Luxembourg and is growing its offices in London and Tallinn. Skype Technologies is privately held and backed by top tier international venture capital firms, including Bessemer Venture Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Index Ventures, and Mangrove Capital Partners. For more information about Skype, please visit www.skype.com.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Agnes Chan Kat James Senior Manager - Public Relations Skype Public Relations Hutchison Global Communications Limited Skype Name: katjames Tel: (852) 2128 6708 Tel: (44) 1273 728331 Email: pr@hgc.com.hk Email: kat.james@skype.net
