Hutchison Telecom-Hong Kong is deploying 3GPP’s 5G-Advanced (5G-A) in high-traffic venues in Hong Kong, including the HK Exhibition Center, the West Kowloon Cultural District and the new $3.9 billion Kai Tak Sports Park. However, 5G-A end points [1.] (like smartphones and tablets) aren’t likely to arrive until next year, according to Hutchinson Executive Director and CEO Kenny Koo.  Therefore, the 5G-A Hong Kong deployment is mostly symbolic.  However, Hutchison is doing some commercial business with 5G-A hotspots. 

Hutchinson used the 5G-A modems to provide coverage for the annual Art Basel visual arts fair in March, enabling organizers to offer free Wi-Fi for visitors. It’s also found a little niche in pop-up stores.  5G-A modems registered download and upload speeds of 3.1 Gbit/s and 370 Mbit/s respectively in a demo earlier this month.

Note 1. Only a handful of 5G-A endpoint devices are available in mainland China, where operators are reporting 5G-A commercial networks in hundreds of cities – in the 3.5GHz, 4.9GHz and 2.1GHz bands.

Koo said in a statement:

“2025 marks the 5th anniversary of 5G launch. In December 2024, our 5G customer penetration rate reached 54%. At this important stage, we are comprehensively enhancing our 5G coverage and capacity while continuously optimizing user experience. Limited-time upgrade offers are also tailored to encourage customers to upgrade to 5G. Together, we are advancing into the new era of 5.5G (aka 5GA). In support of the development of the Northern Metropolis, we have taken the initiative to actively enhance 5G network coverage in the district as the flow of people and vehicles surges. This ensures that commuters travelling between the northwest New Territories and Kowloon can enjoy a smoother network experience at major transportation hubs, including Tai Lam Tunnel and the Kam Sheung Road section of the MTR Tuen Ma Line. In addition, we are helping to boost the mega event economy by activating 5.5G network hotspots at major event venues in Hong Kong including Kai Tak Sports Park, the West Kowloon Cultural District and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Customers enjoy an improved experience at high-traffic hotspots compared with the original 5G coverage, with enhanced network speed, increased capacity and low latency performance provided by 5G broadband.”

“We try to position ourselves as a market leader in the technology evolution,” Koo told Light Reading. He said the 5G-A ecosystem “was not yet ready” because of the lack of devices that can support the 26 GHz and 28 GHz bands. “iPhone, Samsung and Huawei handsets do not support 5.5G in those bands,” he said, using the company’s preferred branding of 5G-Advanced.   

Author’s Note: Koo did not mention that 5G-A has yet to be standardized by ITU-R as part of IMT 2020 RIT/SRIT aka the ITU-R M.2150 recommendation.  5G Advanced is included in 3GPP Release 18  and is expected to be part of M.2150 issue 3, now being developed by ITU-R WP 5D. 

Hutchinson’s subscriber base grew 17% to 4.6 million, mostly due to prepaid gains, while 5G penetration increased 8 percentage points to 54%. Koo said the company has been able to sustain the growth this year because of demand from inbound travelers from mainland China. “They like our prepaid cards,” he added.  Last year, Hutchinson’s roaming revenue increased 30% to 684 million Hong Kong dollars (US$87 million) and now accounts for nearly a fifth of total service revenue.

eSim is also a growing market for Hutchinson.  There are a lot of travel SIM portals selling eSIM solutions right to consumers,” Koo said.  The popularity of its eSIM product means Hutchison’s addressable market has expanded way beyond Hong Kong to reach mobile customers worldwide. 

About Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong:

Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Limited (“HTHK”) has launched 5G broadband services in both the consumer and enterprise markets, providing high-speed indoor and outdoor internet access. Leveraging a robust 5G network, HTHK has also extended the deployment of 5G solutions including 5G 4K live broadcasting, virtual reality and real-time data transmission to various verticals. HTHK plays a prominent role in developing a new economy ecosystem, channeling the latest technologies into innovations that set market trends and steer industry development.

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References:

https://www.lightreading.com/5g/hutchison-joins-5g-advanced-race

https://doc.irasia.com/listco/hk/hthkh/press/p250529.pdf

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