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*****For immediate use November 1, 2001
Hutchison places new order with NEC for over one million 3G videophones
(Hong Kong and Tokyo, 1 November 2001) The Hutchison Whampoa Group today announced
that it has placed a second order, for over one million third generation (3G)
wireless devices, with NEC Corporation. Under the arrangement, NEC will begin
delivery of 3G videophones in the fourth quarter of 2002 to Hutchison's 3G operations.
This is NEC's largest agreement for 3G devices outside of Japan.
The value of the contract was not disclosed.
The NEC 3G videophones covered under this agreement are all dual mode (2G:GSM/GPRS
and 3G:UMTS/W-CDMA), providing consumers with maximum coverage regardless of location.
As well as supporting two-way video calls, the devices will include the most up-to-date
mobile data applications, including JAVA functions and multimedia services. The
3G devices also employ NEC's fold-phone concept, which has proven to be most popular
with Japanese mobile Internet users.
Canning Fok, Group Managing Director of Hutchison Whampoa said, "Hutchison
is all set to launch 3G services in our markets offering customers a wide selection
of devices. Having worked closely with NEC since our first order, we are duly
impressed with their expertise in 3G technology, as well as their vast knowledge
of user requirements through their experience in providing our partner DoCoMo
3G devices for their FOMA services. Video applications are a key 3G feature and
I am sure that our customers will be keen to get one of these devices when we
launch our services."
"The merging of mobile Internet has created many new business opportunities
and the mobile handset has become a highly advanced device adopting many new features
and technologies. And this is the field where NEC is taking the lead in the industry.
" said Ben Nakamura, Associate Senior Vice President and Executive General
Manager of NEC's Mobile Terminal Business Unit. "NEC intends to put our utmost
effort to support Hutchison's 3G service, and to spur the creation of innovative
mobile Internet services, and accelerate the expansion of 3G business with reliable
and high quality handsets backed by our extensive know-how and expertise in the
mobile Internet field.
NEC has focused on mobile Internet business as one of its important core business
domains. NEC has strong capabilities to provide total solutions for mobile Internet,
consisting of not only mobile handsets but also mobile network system, service
platform and service applications, to mobile operators and users all over the
world. NEC, together with Siemens A.G., has already been appointed as a supplier
of the 3G infrastructure system for Hutchison 3G UK and H3G Italy. This supply
agreement shows NEC's total solution capabilities in the 3G field.
***
Notes to Editors
Hutchison Whampoa
Hutchison Whampoa is a Hong Kong-based multinational conglomerate with origins dating back to the 1800s. Hutchison is also part of the Li Ka-shing group of companies, which together represent about 15% of the total market capitalization of the Hong Kong stock market. In 2000, consolidated turnover (including associates) was over US$10billion, and consolidated net profit was approximately US$4.4 billion.
With approximately 100,000 employees worldwide, Hutchison operates five core businesses in 34 countries: ports and related services; telecommunications and e-commerce; property and hotels; retail and manufacturing; and energy and infrastructure.
For more information, visit http://www.hutchison-whampoa.com
NEC Corporation
NEC Corporation (NASDAQ: NIPNY) (FTSE: 6701q.l) is a leading provider of Internet solutions, dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of its customers in the key computer, network and electron device fields through its three market-focused in-house companies: NEC Solutions, NEC Networks and NEC Electron Devices. NEC Corporation, with its in-house companies, employs more than 150,000 people worldwide and saw net sales of 5,409 billion Yen (approx. US$43 billion) in fiscal year 2000-2001.
NEC, together with Siemens A.G., has already been appointed as a supplier of the 3G infrastructure system for Hutchison 3G UK and H3G Italy. This device agreement shows NEC's total solution capabilities in the 3G field.
For further information, please visit the NEC home page at:http://www.nec.com
Internet site for NEC's 3G http://www.nec.co.jp/3g-mobile/
For more information, please contact:
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