Hutchison Australia Still on Track for 3G Launch Next Year

Hutchison Australia, which trades under the Orange brand name has reported that its subscriber base grew by 25% in the first half of this year, and reached 240,110 by 30 June 2002 with 47,584 additional post-paid customers on the network. The company also reported operating revenues of US$60.40 million and an EBITA loss of US$8.7 million, down over 50% on the previous half year.

Hutchison CEO Kevin Russell said the results showed significant improvements in all operating areas in 2G, reflecting a successful turnaround in the business since a restructure initiated late last year. "For the second consecutive reporting period, we have markedly reduced our 2G EBITDA loss," Mr Russell said.

"We remain on track to achieve our full-year goal of being 2G EBITDA positive in the fourth quarter of this year," he said. "And our 3G rollout is progressing well in all key areas of our build. We are firmly on track for the launch of this exciting new service in the first quarter of next year."

In parallel to the 2G operational initiatives, Hutchison has continued to make significant progress towards the launch of its 3G network, scheduled for the first quarter of 2003. Primary focus has been on the design and build of the network and other technical infrastructure and the development of compelling products and services to be delivered using that infrastructure. Key initiatives during the period included the acquisition of the majority of the network assets constructed by Lucent Technologies Australia for One.Tel, the commencement of network construction and the installation of a 3G trial network.'"

Posted to the site on 13th August 2002