HK ready for 5G says SmarTone

SmarTone Telecommunications (0315) chief technology officer Stephen Chau said 80 percent of Hong Kong's population will be covered within the first year of the launching of the city's 5G network and that there is no need to build a large number of new 5G bases.

He said that there were sufficient telecom bases in Hong Kong to meet the 5G network's needs.

Chau also predicted greater data usage and lower fees per GB under the 5G network.

Chau said that the consumer market is saturated and 5G may not be able to seize a large market share, but the business application opportunities offered by 5G would be even greater.

Chief executive Anna Yip said that based on the experience of countries that have launched 5G services, 5G data prices were generally more reasonable, and it takes time for the market to accept new technologies and experiences.

SmarTone said it will not announce prices in a hurry, but will refer to market levels while focusing on high-volume plans.

The company has also collaborated with Formula Square, a startup of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, at its 5G hub.

In other news, Xiaomi (1810) said it plans to launch 10 5G smartphones this year, and will step up its efforts to expand and consolidate its market position overseas. Xiaomi launched the first 5G mobile phone in the mainland last September.