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Hong Kong, 1 April 2021 – 3 Hong Kong, the mobile arm of Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Limited (HTHKH; stock code: 215) today celebrated the first anniversary of its 5G service launch, being the first operator to build over 1,000 3.5GHz golden spectrum band base stations in Hong Kong. The base stations cover high traffic locations in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Territories, which provide abundant 5G network capacity for customers to enjoy super high-speed mobile experience with ultra-low latency.

5G customers represent more than 10% of 3 Hong Kong's postpaid customers
HTHKH Executive Director and CEO Kenny Koo said: "3 Hong Kong has launched 5G service for a year now. As at the end of last year, more than 10% of our postpaid customers subscribe to 5G monthly plans. We have been expanding and optimising our 5G coverage to build the strongest 5G network in accordance with our ‘5G One World' theme. After building the 5G dedicated 2100MHz spectrum band base stations with high patronage territory-wide within a short period of time, we went on to construct base stations for the 3.5GHz golden spectrum band in high traffic locations to boost 5G network capacity and to provide a more superior customer experience. We are now the first operator to build over 1,000 base stations for the 3.5GHz golden spectrum band in Hong Kong, demonstrating 3 Hong Kong's leading position in 5G."

Rapidly expand 5G coverage by refarming
3 Hong Kong launched 5G service on 1 April last year, leveraging its 5G base stations served by a 10Gbps optical-fibre backhaul network. Since then, 3 Hong Kong has refarmed existing 15MHz spectrum in the 5G dedicated 2100MHz spectrum band to rapidly expand 5G service coverage. To date, 3 Hong Kong boasts 5G coverage of 99%*, covering Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories and Islands District. Customers in 5G restriction zones of 3.5GHz golden spectrum band – including Ma On Shan, Tai Po and Stanley are also offered 5G services.

Overcome successive challenges to build over 1,000 base stations for 3.5GHz spectrum band
To enable customers to enjoy videos, live broadcast and play online games on the 5G network with super high-speed and ultra-low latency even in high traffic locations, 3 Hong Kong has been fully dedicated to the build out of the 3.5GHz golden spectrum band base stations despite the severe pandemic going on.

In addition to the health and safety concerns of construction workers, 3 Hong Kong was also facing other challenges. One of them was the disruption of the global supply chain caused by the pandemic, seriously interrupting the equipment supply of its base stations. Besides, the prohibition of group gathering affected the construction workers entering and crossing over the buildings and construction sites. Most of the installation works needed repeated efforts from 3 Hong Kong to discuss with property owners and owner's corporations in order to proceed. Furthermore, 3 Hong Kong's contractors also faced a manpower shortage during the pandemic, which brought tough challenges to the construction progress. Nevertheless, 3 Hong Kong's network team joined hands with suppliers, contractors, owner's corporations and construction workers to overcome the successive challenges and built over 1,000 base stations for the 3.5GHz golden spectrum band amid the pandemic. Network capacity and service quality have been significantly enhanced, enabling customers to enjoy smooth and high-definition 5G services anytime, anywhere.

3 Hong Kong will continue to optimise the 5G network and partner with leaders in different industries to introduce more innovative 5G applications, thereby redefining mobile communications and entering the new 5G smart digital era with customers.

*Based on the test results in relation to 3HK's 5G network and population distribution of Hong Kong conducted in January 2021.

About 3 Hong Kong
Leading mobile operator 3 Hong Kong is flourishing into a digital operator ideally prepared for the era of 5G mobile broadband. The company plays a prominent role in developing a new economy ecosystem by serving consumer and corporate customers from a diversity of capabilities in fields such as the Internet-of-Things (IoT) concept and 5G technology. Operating under the 3Supreme, 3 and MO+ brands, 3 Hong Kong offers advanced data and roaming services, as well as FinTech, video-on-demand, gaming and music applications.

3 Hong Kong tailors one-stop solutions comprising network services, mobile devices, consultancy, project implementation and technical support to help enterprises boost efficiency and competitiveness. In this regard, our "3Innocity" programme provides a means of collaborating with start-ups and global enterprises to create digital-age applications and explore business opportunities in mobility, as well as IT, IoT and big data. In addition to meeting the needs of consumer and corporate customers, 3 Hong Kong contributes to Hong Kong's development as a smart city.

3 Hong Kong is the mobile division of Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Limited (stock code: 215), a group member of CK Hutchison Holdings (stock code: 1). For more information on 3 Hong Kong, visit www.three.com.hk. For more information on HTHKH, visit www.hthkh.com.