ASIA Hong Kong : 3 Hong Kong announced the repackaging of its mobile news platform by taking the lead to add three live streaming Cantonese news channels, namely Cable News, Cable Finance and Cable Entertainment News provided by i-CABLE.

News access over mobile phones is gaining increasing popularity in Hong Kong, especially on breaking incidents. For instance, 3 Hong Kong’s “WTO News” channel has recorded approximately 3 times of growth in news streaming and downloading during the conference period in December 2005 as compared to the same period in November. The WTO example underscores the trend of growing demand for first-hand mobile local news.

Against this backdrop, 3 Hong Kong’s newly added Cantonese channels over its best-in-class mobile network and seamless live streaming platform are poised to satisfy customer needs. The newly added Cable News channel provides non-stop instant local news, while Cable Entertainment News channel broadcasts 24-hour show-biz’ hot gossip in town. In addition, Cable Finance Live News channel delivering live financial news on trading days1 can also enable customers to strategize their investment even they are on the move.

Amy Lung, Commercial Director – Consumer Market of 3 Hong Kong, said, “There is an increasing trend that mobile phone users want to stay ahead of what is happening in Hong Kong and around the world via their handsets, which is absolutely convenient, time-saving and trendy to do so. Long aware of this, we enrich our news content especially with an expanded scope of local news categories and the widest choices of local news suppliers. We are also proud to be the only operator in Hong Kong to provide both TVB and i-CABLE news content. Our latest move represents our continuous commitment to searching for value-added services to meet the fast-changing needs of today’s customers. With 3 Hong Kong’s upgraded News Channel, customers can instantly stay on top of any major local and international news as it happens.”

Streaming News Content at HK$2 per day only Free Service during Promotion Period
To mark the launch of the revamped News platform, from now until 22 February 2006, 3 Hong Kong customers may enjoy free trial of the three new live streaming news channels – Cable News, Cable Finance and Cable Entertainment News2. A new Day Pass at $2 per day will be launched for unlimited access of the above three new live streaming channels after the promotion period3.
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1
Live broadcast time: 0930-1300 and 1430-1700
2
During the promotion period, customer is entitled to free use of the service for up to 30 hours. The service is subject to applicable terms and conditions stated on the service leaflet.
3
Charges for other news content will apply; a “M” will be charged for each video / audio new clip download; a “T”
will be charged for each textnews clip download; thereafter charges range from HK$0.4 – HK$1
Complete News Media Coverage on your 3G Phone
3 Hong Kong is not only the first in Hong Kong to add Cantonese channels to its mobile news platform, but also the first mobile operator in town to work with Bloomberg TV and Phoenix Info News to deliver live English financial news and live Putonghua news respectively in 2004. Now, with the live local news channels, 3 Hong Kong stands for the widest 24-hour coverage of live streaming of local, international, finance and entertainment news in Cantonese, Putonghua and English.
In addition to live streaming news broadcast, 3 Hong Kong also provides round-the-clock global video news clips, which allow customers to watch the news on demand according to their preference. In addition to live news broadcast, 3 Hong Kong has been providing local news content in various other formats, thanks to the support from the strongest pool of local news partners including i-CABLE, TVB, Orisun and Metro Radio. On the international front, 3 Hong Kong is also backed by leading news suppliers, namely Bloomberg, Phoenix, Reuters, CNN, and sina.com. By simply tapping the Triangle key on the 3G phone and enter “News” channel via 3Grid, 3 Hong Kong customers can choose the access of news and information in a number of formats, including:
- The strongest Cantonese video news & weather clips on demand from two leading local TV station partners – TVB and i-CABLE;
- New text news from two major local newspapers – Oriental Daily News and The Sun;
- Radio news and daily financial market updates from Metro Radio;
- International video news and news updates from Reuters and CNN;
- Mainland China news updates from sina.com
- Live traffic via 3 Hong Kong exclusive live cameras at 25 major traffic hot spots
- Mark Six results and Weather Warning
- News alert push service via Daily Express and Info Alert service4
For details, customers should call the 24-hour Customer Service Hotline on 3156 2222.