11 October 2001

Hutchison 3G Australia is the new sponsor for Test cricket in Australia and has been awarded the exclusive ACB rights for mobile wireless communication (3G) in a strategic five-year deal announced today.

3G services are the next generation of wireless mobile communications offering users high speed access to multimedia content such as video, audio and photographs through mobile devices.

ACB Chief Executive Officer, James Sutherland, said the ability of cricket to quickly attract a new partner underlined the widespread popularity and strength of the game.

"All of us in the sports industry are aware of the competition for sponsors and the range of choices available to businesses looking to invest in sport. For cricket to be able to attract Hutchison 3G as a commercial partner in this market underlines the strength of the game in Australia," said Mr Sutherland.

"This partnership is obviously a terrific result for cricket. I welcome Hutchison to the game and I am confident that we will deliver significant benefits to Hutchison, particularly as it introduces 3G services into Australia."

Hutchison Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Russell, said the company is delighted to be able to support Australian cricket through its partnership with the ACB.

"Cricket is an important part of our culture, a sport which embodies passion, commitment and achievement. Australians are very proud of the success of the Test team and Hutchison is looking forward to sharing that success with both the Team and the fans," said Mr Russell.

"This sponsorship reaffirms Hutchison's long-term commitment to 3G in the Australian market. It is part of the broader commitment of our parent company, Hutchison Whampoa, to building a leading 3G business worldwide.

"We believe cricket will represent a fantastic 3G sports experience. We will be able to offer instant replays, highlight clips, player interviews, profiles, official results and statistics immediately to cricket fans wherever they are."

"The start of the 2002-03 season will coincide with Hutchison's first-to-market launch strategy for 3G services in Australia and cricket will provide a strong platform to introduce these services to the Australian market."

This agreement continues Hutchison's global strategy of building relationships with premier sporting organisations to provide compelling sporting content as part of its 3G services. The ACB now joins Premier League Football in the UK and Serie A soccer teams AC Milan, Juventus, Roma, Lazio and Piacenza as part of Hutchison's worldwide stable of sporting partnerships.

For further information, please contact:

Australian Cricket Board
Brendan McClements, General Manager, Public Affairs
Phone: 03 9653 9994, 0418 580 031

Hutchison Telecoms
Marie Kelly, Director of Public Affairs
Phone: 02 9964 4831