"We will pursue with the government the idea of releasing the spectrum now occupied by satellite players back to the mobile operators so that we can have full coverage", Koo added.
Customers in the limited access zones should have the choice of using 5G with 5G spectrum, Koo also said. In the meantime, Hutchison plans to provide its 5G service in the restricted areas via refarmed 2.1GHz spectrum.
Koo also claims that the coronavirus pandemic has not altered the "investment or pacing" of the operator's 5G deployment, but had introduced some unexpected factors, such as the supply chain, with production lines of both vendors and component suppliers impacted by the measures to stop the virus spread.
Hutchison Telecom’s CEO also reports that Hutchison HK will use the purchasing power across the CK Hutchison parent company, including the Three Group in Europe. It plans to offer device bundles that will include the Samsung S20 and Huawei MateX at launch. Koo expects up to 20 models to become available on the market in the second quarter of this year.
HKT earlier announced plans to officially launch “true 5G services” in Hong Kong on 1 April. HKT claims it will be the first mobile operator in Hong Kong to introduce true 5G.HKT will initially provide 5G coverage in the major golden districts, including Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty, Central, Sheung Wan, Tsim Sha Tsui, Jordan, Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan; 14 designated csl and 1O1O shops; key infrastructure such as Hong Kong International Airport; major shopping malls including Cityplaza, Harbour City, iSQUARE, K11 Art Mall, K11 MUSEA, MegaBox, Mira Place and Pacific Place. 5G coverage will be available at Pacific Place and Cityplaza shortly.
