China Mobile Hong Kong launches 5G network services

China Mobile Hong Kong (CMHK) is committed to building the best 5G network, available, starting midnight on 1 April 2020. CMHK became the first mobile network operator in Hong Kong to produce a live 5G launch ceremony and application demonstration using Virtual Reality (VR) technology.

As one of the local operators with the largest 5G spectrum in Hong Kong, CMHK is dedicated to using its leading technology and abundant spectrum resources to present a superior and unparalleled 5G network experience to its commercial and individual customers.

Dr. Li Feng, Chairman of China Mobile Hong Kong, said: "Hong Kong is working hard to fight the Coronavirus pandemic. Aside from showing our heartfelt gratitude to a group of dedicated frontline medical staff, we hope to work together with other local mobile network operators and the people of Hong Kong in facing the challenges and overcoming the epidemic with the latest technology, as soon as possible. Starting at midnight on 1 April 2020, CMHK's 5G network will be officially put into service, which will help inject new energy into the various industries and individuals in the city, bringing a future of infinite possibilities."

Creating superior 5G network experience
CMHK currently possesses the largest number of 3.5GHz spectrums, often referred to as the "5G Prime Frequency Band" and up to now, it's the only 5G network provider in Hong Kong that has acquired 3.3GHz (3380-3400MHz) and 3.5GHz (3400-3460MHz) of continuous bandwidth spectrum (80 MHz in total), which allows for better indoor network optimization and to provide users with a high-quality network experience more flexibly and efficiently.

At the same time, the 4.9GHz spectrum will be used together with the existing 4G spectrum resources re-farming to resolve the current restrictions of the 5G network in certain areas within Hong Kong, thereby providing customers with a seamless 5G experience.

Initially, the 5G network will cover the entire Hong Kong city -- 90% of the major Central and Western, Wan Chai, and Causeway Bay Districts; nearly 90% of the Kwun Tong District; and close to 80% of the Tsuen Wan District.

In addition to CMHK's 38 retail stores (exclude Tai Po), its 5G network coverage will also include popular spots, landmarks and shopping malls, such as Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Cyberport, Science Park, Harbour City, Olympian City, Landmark, tmtplaza, etc.

Keeping consumers' need for higher network speed in mind, CMHK has tested the 5G network speed with the latest 5G smartphones. Sean Lee, Director and CEO of China Mobile Hong Kong, said: "Changes in the usage habits of the public and the widespread application of the IoT by corporates have increased the demand for uploading data. Therefore, 5G networks must not only have low-latency and high download speed transmission characteristics, but also fast upload speeds.

"Today, our speed test shows that CMHK's 5G network has a latency of less than 10ms, a download speed exceeding 1Gbps, and an upload speed of over 130Mbps, which served as solid evidence to demonstrate that CMHK's 5G network can better meet customer needs."

CMHK has also introduced 5G roaming services in some locations in Mainland China and South Korea. By the end of 2020, it will also bring the borderless 5G experience to other popular countries and regions within Asia and Europe.

CMHK's "5G Service Plan" will have various new and exciting features to satisfy the different needs of customers. The plan includes 100GB of ultra-fast 5G local data for HK$438, 200GB of data for HK$538, and 300GB of data for HK$638. Customers who get on board and sign the contract before 30 June 2020 will be able to enjoy a discounted monthly fee of HK$298, HK$398, or HK$498, respectively.

Other monthly benefits of the plan will include Greater Bay Area Roaming Data 3 (Mainland China and Macau) and unlimited incoming calls in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau 5 . To make communication even smoother, customers can still enjoy unlimited local data 4 after the full-speed data limit has been reached.

The CMHK "5G Service Plan" , to be launched on 1 April 2020, will bring customers a series of new and exclusive privileges and value-added services, including:

UGAME VIP Membership -- Through the 5G network, nearly a hundred popular 5G cloud games (adventure, action, role-playing, racing, and fighting games) can be played with high-resolution graphics and high-quality display. There's no need to download or install the games, and no capacity limit associated with hardware equipment and devices. At the same time, it also supports the UTV Box and mobile phones, and can be played on both big and small screens at any time. 5G service plan customers can get up to 24 months of VIP membership.

UTV HMVOD Movies Combo - Watch high-definition video content from around the world, anytime and anywhere.

Privilege Club Membership -- Eligible "5G Service Plan" customers can enjoy a host of exclusive offers, privileges, and value-added services, as well as various music and entertainment, lifestyle, and smart device benefits brought by Privilege Club Membership. Among the benefits, enjoy everything that the "ONE Home Smart Home 5G Exclusive Package" has to offer at a discounted price of $798, including smart devices, such as Luna Lamps, video doorbells, universal remote controls, Wi-Fi power strips (total worth of $2,358), etc.

Customers can now register for the "5G Connect Service Plan" at only HK$198 per month (original price of HK$338) before 30 June 2020, and enjoy 30GB of ultra-fast 5G local data. Also, the first floor of the Central flagship store will be transformed into a 5G cloud gaming e-sports UGAME Experience Zone, where the public will get the chance to try this new and exciting form of 5G entertainment first-hand.

Enterprise solutions
In terms of the enterprise solutions, CMHK took the lead in accomplishing the 5G standalone network trial as early as the end of November last year, which allows for the provision of "network slicing" services. Different slices can provide customized private network services and a diverse mix of 5G applications for corporate customers, making it easier to facilitate different projects within the financial, real estate, and property management sectors, coming up in the near future.

CMHK also founded "The Greater Bay Area 5G Industry Alliance" in August last year to promote the sharing of business opportunities, mutual co-operation and exchange, and collaboration among various industries, as well as the joint research and development of products and services based on 5G communication technology, innovation, and industry standards. This will also help in uniting academic and political stakeholders to build a win-win 5G ecosystem.

This year, CMHK will launch a "5G Industry Application" white paper to provide various 5G smart enterprise solutions. The six major directions include smart travel, smart lifestyle, smart economy, smart environment, smart government, and smart citizens, with a commitment to transforming Hong Kong into a world-class smart city.