Hong Kong Awards 3G Licenses To Four Carriers
HONG KONG, CHINA, 2001 OCT 23 (NB) -- By Adam Creed, Newsbytes. The Hong Kong government on Monday finalized the award of licenses that will be used to launch third-generation (3G) mobile phone services in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong's Telecommunications Authority on Monday announced that all four applicants had passed the last stage of the 3G auction process, and may now begin rolling out their networks.
The operators are Hong Kong CSL, a venture of Pacific Century CyberWorks and its Australia-based partner Telstra; Sunday Communications [NASDAQ:SDAY]; Hutchison 3G HK, a Hutchison Whampoa and NTT DoCoMo joint venture; and Smartone, which includes among its shareholders Hong Kong's Sun Hung Kai Properties and British Telecommunications.
All four companies were awarded provisional licenses last month - their completion of the final stage means everyone paid the required fees and performance bonds.
Actually, Sunday technically didn't come through with its performance bond. But the Telecommunications Authority was happy to accept a cash payment of 250 million Hong Kong dollars ($32.05 million) in lieu of the bond.
Sunday - with its Nasdaq share price hovering above the dollar-mark - last month said it must invest in its own 3G wireless infrastructure. While the investment is costly now, the company believes it will give it greater control over its future.
The 3G licenses last for 15 years. Requirements for Hong Kong 3G operators include access by third-party "virtual" mobile network operators to at least 30 percent of each licensee's capacity.
The Telecommunications Authority on Monday invited applications from would-be virtual mobile network operators.
The four carriers on Monday all celebrated the award of their licenses.
Smartone has already contracted Ericsson to provide its 3G network based on wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) technology.
Nokia will design, supply and install Hong Kong CSL's 3G network, according to an agreement inked last month.
In a statement today, Hutchison 3G HK promised to have its network ready by the end of next year.
Exchange Rate: $1 = 7.8 Hong Kong dollars
Reported By Newsbytes.com, newsbytes.com .
09:06 CST
(20011023/WIRES ASIA, TELECOM/) |
