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Hong Kong, 21 December 2021 - 3 Hong Kong, the mobile arm of Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Limited (HTHKH; stock code: 215), today announced its support for The Hong Kong Jockey Club to launch the Jockey Club Digital Support Project for the Elderly. The project will distribute smartphones, pre-installed with the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app, with 12-month free basic mobile service to around 20,000 underprivileged elderly via 12 social welfare organisations to help them adapt to the new normal using the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app.

Providing smartphones and free mobile service to help seniors adapt to new normal
People now entering a majority of public venues and all licensed restaurants must scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" QR codes with smartphones. Since the latest information from the government's Census and Statistics Department showed that some 32% of people aged 65 or above had no smartphones, this requirement may cause them inconvenience.

The project will distribute around 20,000 "LeaveHomeSafe" compatible smartphones to underprivileged elderly. Under this project, 3 Hong Kong will provide for those in need with more than 5,000 smartphones of different brands pre-installed with the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app, along with 12-month free basic mobile service, so that they can adapt to the new normal as well as enjoy the convenience of mobile data services.

Meanwhile, 3 Hong Kong earlier organised "LeaveHomeSafe" workshops at 3Shops to assist elderly customers using smartphones with the installation of mobile apps useful in daily life. The elderly are also provided with special handset offers to encourage them to purchase smartphones on site and embrace technology.

HTHKH Executive Director and CEO Kenny Koo said: "3 Hong Kong has been working closely with social welfare organisations to donate smartphones and SIM cards to older adults and the needy. Following a collaboration with The Hong Kong Jockey Club last year, we are delighted to join hands again in particular, sourcing smartphones suitable for the elderly from different manufacturers. Mobile service plans and smartphone workshops especially for seniors are also on offer to help them use smartphones with ease, making it more convenient for them to visit different venues. This is also another step forward to increase digital inclusion in our society."

The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung, said: "With the "LeaveHomeSafe" app now mandatory in most public venues and all licensed eateries, we became aware that some underprivileged elderly, especially those who are not residing in residential care homes for the elderly, do not have smartphones and therefore cannot access the app. Partnering with NGOs and mobile network service providers we want to help address this urgent and immediate need."

* Source: Thematic Household Survey Report No. 73 - Information Technology Usage and Penetration

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.