Frances Ng (Tel: 2128 6739)
30 November, 2000
"Turning Visions into Reality" Exhibition at ITU Telecom Asia 2000
A dazzling showcase of new-generation mobile communications
Entitled "Turning Visions into Reality", the Hutchison Telecom display at ITU Telecom Asia 2000 will provide a compelling glimpse of the exciting world of new-generation mobile communications applications and services. Hutchison Telecom is showcasing its latest market-leading packet data technologies, an exciting range of innovative wireless Internet services, advanced mobile multimedia solutions and highly personalised location-based services.
As the largest mobile operator in Hong Kong, Hutchison Telecom is taking an active part in this major international telecommunications expo as the Official Mobile Services Provider for Hong Kong, China Secretariat. ITU Telecom Asia 2000 will be staged in Hong Kong between 4 and 9 December 2000 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Hutchison Telecom's booth is in Atrium II.
New-generation mobile multimedia communications
Wireless devices offering full-featured multimedia capabilities are set to be the dominant trend in the new wave of mobile communications development. Reflecting this, Hutchison Telecom's "Turning Visions into Reality" display will demonstrate a portfolio of advanced mobile multimedia applications, making every possibility in mobile communications a reality. The demonstrations include advanced wireless audio and video streaming, remote surveillance, mobile photo album, innovative location-based services and many other forward-thinking solutions.
Cutting-edge, high-speed packet data mobile service
Hutchison Telecom is leading Hong Kong into a new era of 2.5G mobile communications with the introduction of the territory's first packet data mobile service, offering mobile users the fastest data transmission speeds of up to 64kbps. The power and strength of the latest high-speed packet data mobile service will be fully demonstrated.
Enter our fantastic world of wireless Internet services
"Turning Visions into Reality" lets visitors experience Orangeworld - the richest wireless Internet service in Hong Kong. Orangeworld has over 330 sites and a full range of online content and service offerings covering m-commerce, entertainment, lifestyle, news, finance and much more. Orangeworld will also showcase Hong Kong's first easy-to-use personalized wirefree Internet portal - "My World" - which gives users the freedom to create their very own personalized portals.
In addition, the world's first WAP-platform character download services will also be demonstrated in the exhibition. These will feature exclusive Hello Kitty, KeroKeroKeroppi and PomPomPurin screensavers, wallpapers and e-cards - all of which can be quickly and easily downloaded into handsets via the Orangeworld wirefree internet service.
A tantalising glimpse of 3G concept phones and colour display handset
Also on show will be a full collection of cutting-edge 3G concept phones, Hong Kong's first colour display WAP phone, a SIM-based CDMA handset, the latest models of packet data-enabled handsets, Dualband and CDMA WAP phones, together with a rich array of innovative mobile multimedia services. At the exciting "Turning Visions into Reality" display, visitors will see for themselves Hutchison Telecom's continuing success in creating a really wirefree communications world.
Hutchison Telecom is one of the world's major telecom operators with worldwide business operations covering North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions. In recent years, the Group has continued to expand its activities in Europe, the United States, Australia, India, Israel and other Asia-Pacific regions. This year, the Group has secured 3G licences in the United Kingdom, Italy and Austria and is committed to leading the world's mobile communications industry into the new 3G era.
Notes to Editors
- Formed in 1985 as a subsidary of Hutchison Whampoa Group, Hutchison Telecom operates a wide range of integrated telecommunications services worldwide and is one of the world's major providers of mobile communications.
International Operations:
- In Europe, Hutchison started the very successful Orange PCS network. Orange plc was sold to Mannesmann AG in 1999 for a consideration of HK$113 billion. In early 2000, the Group accepted the Vodafone AirTouch's offer to buy Mannesmann shares. In return, the Group received 5% shareholding in Vodafone.
- Recently, the Group formed a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) joint venture company with Telesystem International Wireless Inc. (TIW), a Canadian based company, who has won the bid for the largest 3G licence in the United Kingdom. The Group will collaborate with TIW to build and operate a national UMTS network in the UK.
- The Group won 3G cellular licences in Italy and Austria this year
- Hutchison Telecom is a substantial shareholder in VoiceStream, the largest GSM operator in the United States
- The Orange brand has met with great success in other major Hutchison Telecom markets including Hong Kong, Israel, India and Australia.
- The Group is also active in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Ghana
Hong Kong Operations:
- Hutchison Telecom is the largest mobile phone operator in Hong Kong with a subscriber base of 1.6 million, representing the largest share of the local market.
- Hutchison Telecom is the first operator in Hong Kong to operate three mobile networks (GSM 900/1800 and CDMA). The Company unveiled it's world-first CDMA commercial network in 1995 and its Asian first Dualband GSM Network in 1998.
- In May 2000, Hutchison Telecom launched Orangeworld, the richest, broadest and deepest wireless Internet service in Hong Kong. Teaming up with nearly 140 content providers to offer over 330 sites, Orangeworld delivers the strongest online content in 13 main service categories with a unique vertical portal design to make information search easier than ever.
- Orangeworld wirefree internet service has secured 70% share of the local wireless internet market with a subscriber base of 90,000.
- In August 2000, Hutchison Telecom launched Hong Kong's first packet data mobile service with 2.5G CDMA IS95B technology, offering the territory's fastest data transmission speeds of up to 64kbps.
- Orange dualband network now offers International Automatic Roaming Service in more than 122 countries throughout Asia, Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, Australia, Africa and Mainland China. Orange cdma now offers Automatic Roaming Services in over 600 cities in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea and Australia.
- Hutchison Telecom won "Five-Year Anniversary Recognition Award" and "International Leadership Award" in 2000 CDMA Industry Achievements Awards.