HK SmarTone Introduces Its 3G Services

HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Hong Kong mobile network operator SmarTone Telecommunications Holdings (0315.HK) Thursday introduced its first third-generation services by offering a high-speed datacard that enables fast downloads on laptops.

The datacard, which transmits at a speed of up to 384 kilobytes per second when connected to a laptop, enables wireless access to all corporate and personal e-mails, short-message-service via e-mail, and connection to Internet and corporate Intranet.

"People have this misconception that 3G is all about consumer services," SmarTone Chief Executive Douglas Li said at a press briefing. "We want to demonstrate that it can be good for business professionals."

China-based telecommunications network equipment maker Huawei Technologies Co. (HWI.YY) is the supplier of the datacard, he said.

SmarTone is the second mobile operator to offer 3G services in Hong Kong. It said it would launch the services for consumers later in December, but didn't specify a date.

Some 7.7 million people subscribe to mobile services in Hong Kong, representing a penetration rate of 113%. They are served by six mobile network operators, of which four own 3G licenses.

Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. (0013.HK) has the largest subscriber base for mobile phone services, serving about a quarter of Hong Kong's population, trailed by SmarTone and Hong Kong CSL Ltd., who vie for second position.

Hutchison Whampoa is the only operator offering 3G services at present, with 124,000 subscribers at the end of July.

-By Julie Wang, Dow Jones Newswires; 852-2802-7002; julie.wang@dowjones.com

-Edited by Andrew Bullard

(END) Dow Jones Newswires "

Posted to the site on 2nd December 2004