Hutchison Whampoa has launched its 3G network in Hong Kong. Hutchison and NEC also launched the latest NEC 616 video mobile phone. This is the new generation of 3G video mobile phones featuring a slim, cutting edge style, and is loaded with video and audio streaming, Global Positioning Satellite technology for enhanced location services, Bluetooth connectivity, memory card support, dual display and camera light.
"NEC is our supplier for both video mobile phones and the 3G radio network, and is also a shareholder in our 3 Hong Kong operations. Together with our joint venture partner NTT DoCoMo, we are very pleased to announce this important handset launch and most importantly to know that we share NEC's full support for the future," Mr Fok said.
NEC Corporation President Mr Akinobu Kanasugi said, "Hutchison and NEC have been sharing the same goals since we decided to pursue the 3G business together. NEC is pleased to introduce the new 3G video mobile phone. By the end of this month, we will be able to make available one million of the 616 video mobile phones to Hutchison, and by end of the first quarter of 2004, another 1.5 million, giving a total of 2.5 million. As a long-standing strategic partner, NEC will fully support and contribute to Hutchison's 3G operations with our competence and know-how in mobile internet, 3G video mobile phones and infrastructure technologies."
3 customers will also enjoy promotional offers including free content consumption for the first two months including text and multimedia content download and streaming. In addition, free intra-network SMS will be offered for the first twelve months.
Hutchison 3G Hong Kong is jointly owned by Hutchison Whampoa (71%), NTT DoCoMo (24%) and NEC (5%)."
Posted to the site on 16th December 2003
Posted to: www.cellular-news.com/story/10313.php