Hutchison names NEC as 3G device supplier
Aug. 1, 2001 -- Hong Kong, Tokyo: The Hutchison Whampoa Group today
announced that it has named NEC Corporation as a preferred supplier of Third
Generation (3G) wireless devices.
Under the arrangement, NEC will begin delivery of its 3G wireless devices in
the third quarter of 2002
to Hutchison's 3G operations based in Italy, Australia, Austria, Sweden and
the United Kingdom. This is
NEC's first and largest agreement for 3G devices outside of Japan. Hutchison
has earlier announced an
agreement with Motorola also for the provision of 3G devices. The value of the
contract was not
disclosed.
The NEC models covered under this agreement are all dual mode (2G: GSM/GPRS
and 3G:
UMTS/W-CDMA), offering transition between 2, 2.5 and 3G systems, providing consumers
with
assured coverage regardless of location. The devices will also include the most
up-to-date mobile data
applications, including JAVA functions and multimedia services.
Canning Fok, Group Managing Director of Hutchison Whampoa said, "NEC has
a proven track record
in mobile internet and multimedia devices, having worked extensively with our
strategic partner NTT
DoCoMo. Since May this year, they have supplied 3G devices for DoCoMo's FOMA
services and
with this agreement, Hutchison is all set to launch 3G services in our markets
offering customers a choice
of devices."
"NEC is now focusing its businesses on Broadband Mobile Internet, and
third-generation mobile is the
key business where NEC is putting its major resources and efforts." said
Ben Nakamura, Associate
Senior Vice President and Executive General Manager of NEC's Mobile Terminal
Business Unit. "NEC
is confident of leading the 3G and mobile Internet field in supplying devices
with the most sophisticated
features and of the highest quality and reliability. This agreement with Hutchison
gives us a strong
foothold to take our position forward."
NEC has been actively promoting the development of W-CDMA technology and has
always been at
the forefront in the R&D and standardization activities in this field. NEC
has also been actively involved
in W-CDMA technical trials and field trials all over the world with leading
carriers. It has already
delivered 3G devices and infrastructure systems for commercial services.
Notes to Editors:
Hutchison Whampoa
Hutchison Whampoa is a Hong Kong-based multinational conglomerate with a market
capitalization of
about US$ 40 billion. 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 close to 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/
CONTACTS:
Nora Yong, Hutchison Whampoa - HK
Tel: +852 2128 1363
e-mail: noray@hwl.com.hk
Akiko Shikimori, NEC
Tel: +81 (0)3 3798 6511
e-mail: a-shikimori@ay.jp.nec.com
Kazuya Yoshida/Katharine Murray, NEC Europe Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)20 7853 5900
e-mail: kazuya.yoshida@uk.neceur.com
e-mail: katharine.murray@uk.neceur.com
Michelle Purse, PR Executive, WSM Wordsworth Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)20 7636 2252
Fax: +44 (0)20 7636 2292
e-mail: mpurse@wsmwordsworth.co.uk