SmarTone announces launch of SmarTone iN on 3G
December 20, 2004
SmarTone, a mobile operator a Hong Kong, announced the launch of
SmarTone iN on 3G - its new 3G multimedia consumer services. This
follows the successful launch earlier this month of SmarTone PC
Connect for business customers and marks another milestone in SmarTone's
rollout of 3G products and services in Hong Kong.
SmarTone iN is now even better on 3G. With vivid images, richer
sounds and faster speeds, it now brings customer greater fun, immediacy,
convenience and excitement. The many new, as well as improved, services
and content include:
-- Exciting video calling; SmarTone iN on 3G's unique video calling
with animation characters; on demand access to live news around-the-clock;
live AV cam on demand; multiplayer online games; and download of
full songs and music videos over the air
-- A comprehensive range of enhanced services and content:
- Exclusive first TVB 24-hour news, exclusive 24-hour live video
transmission of CNN Headline News and international video news
from Reuters round the clock.
- Unique News Highlight summarising the latest major news from
different sources and pushed to customers three times a day
- Exclusive access to the best English football clubs -- Manchester
United, Liverpool and Chelsea, with video footage, club news,
ringtones and wallpaper downloads
- 24-hour sports news, scores and highlights for all major sports
- A wide collection of music from the world's greatest artists
including pre-CD release songs, music videos exclusive on mobile
and exclusive excerpts from concerts
- Exclusive Cartoon Network's hit cartoon series every day
- Exciting on line multiplayer game with enhanced 3D graphics,
ranging from sports to puzzles and to shoot-them-ups
- Exclusive lifestyle-oriented programmes to help customers make
the most of modern city life
-- A new pricing approach offering greater transparency and better
value
"We are excited about launching SmarTone iN on 3G and bringing
our customers faster, richer, and more differentiated services,"
said Douglas Li, Chief Executive Officer of SmarTone. "The new and
enhanced 3G services help consumers live a fuller life, and let
them truly get closer to the people, the information and the entertainment
that is important to them."
The new SmarTone iN on 3G portal is much enhanced and provides
customers a richer experience and has been made even easier to use.
With the new portal's in-built intelligence, the customers can display
and access the recent most visited sites and all bookmark sites
with one click, greatly improving ease of access.
At launch, two handset models, the Motorola E1000 and Nokia 6630,
will enable customers to enjoy SmarTone iN on 3G. SmarTone iN on
3G will be launching at least eight other models in the first half
of 2005, with three exclusive models, including the Sanyo S103 and
the Sharp SX813.
SmarTone introduces a new pricing model designed to offer customers
simplicity and transparency. Customers will be offered attractive
price plans with bundled free content including video news, sports
information and unlimited browsing of SmarTone iN on 3G. Premium
content charges will be either event-based or time-based, without
any additional packet charge.
"With a superior 3G network, richer services and top-quality handsets,
we are confident of delivering a genuine all-round step up for the
customer. SmarTone iN on 3G will significantly transform and enrich
the way customers enjoy our service in this new era," added Mr.
Li.
Services and Content in more details
Video Calling
Video calling enables SmarTone iN on 3G customers come face-to-face
with the person they are calling, so that it is almost as good as
being there. The customer can also change the camera view of the
handset to show either themselves or what they are seeing.
Animation Characters for Video Calling
SmarTone iN on 3G customers can do more than just video calling.
Customers can use one of many animation characters to present to
the other party during video calling. They can choose from a wide
range of fun animation characters, and also change their expressions
in-call. With just a click of the button, customers can also switch
between camera mode and animation characters.
Live AV on demand
With broadband, live AV on demand gives customers a real-time view
of their homes, offices or anywhere with video streaming. This lets
customers watch what is important to them, anytime, anywhere.
News
SmarTone iN on 3G enables customers to keep a close watch live
on their handsets the drama of world events as they unfold, all
from the most authoritative sources. It offers exclusive first TVB
24-hour news, exclusive 24-hour live video transmission of CNN Headline
News and international video news from Reuters. These cover local
and international affairs, finance, entertainment and weather updates.
For a subscription, customers can order the latest select news to
be delivered straight to their handset three times a day.
Sports
SmarTone iN on 3G enables exclusive access to the best English
football clubs -- Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, letting
football fans share in the excitement and get closer to their heroes.
It offers the best of league matches and live videos of European
matches. Golden goals archives, interviews, press conference, previews
and round ups are also all available in video. The wide range of
content and services also include match alerts, wallpapers, ringtones,
Java games, club activities and limited-edition merchandise.
With SmarTone iN on 3G, customers can get instant fix of their
favourite sports anytime, including NBA, golf, tennis, Formula One,
Rugby Union, cricket and more, from around the world. Customers
can now stay up to the minute with the action.
Music
Customers can download full songs and music videos to their handsets
with SmarTone iN on 3G, bringing them much closer to the hottest
artists. Cooperation with music labels, including EMI, Gold Label,
Sony Music, BMG, not only brings the widest range of music from
the world's greatest artists, but also offers customers full song
downloads ahead of the general CD release, music videos exclusively
on mobile and exclusive excerpts from coming concerts. Music lovers
can now enjoy music anytime, anywhere from official sources with
guaranteed quality.
Entertainment
The fun never stops with hit cartoon series available every day.
These series feature the most popular characters from Cartoon Network,
including The Powerpuff Girl, Dexter's Laboratory, Johnny Bravo
and Ed, Edd n Eddy and many others.
Multiplayer Live Games
SmarTone iN on 3G raises the fun and excitement of mobile gaming
to new heights with real-time multiplayer gaming action and much
enhanced 3D graphics, all leveraging on 3G's speed and bandwidth.
The new 3G-enabled multiplayer 3D games will deliver a new customer
experience by enabling head-to-head play. Examples of multiplayer
mobile games include 3D Magic Volley Ball, Truck Off and Kung Fu
Mahjong.
City Living
SmarTone iN on 3G will bring a series of lifestyle-oriented programmes,
helping customers lead a fuller life - looking better, staying healthier,
and getting more out of life. Customers can access useful information
and videos on wining and dining as well as health and fitness, fashion
and beauty, with video previews of the latest fashions from Europe
and Japan.
Pricing
Customers will be offered a choice of SmarTone iN on 3G price plans
that offer simplicity, transparency and better value. All SmarTone
iN price plans include bundled free content such as video news from
TVB, CNN and Reuters, as well as sport news, and unlimited free
browsing of SmarTone iN. Premium content charges will be either
event-based or time-based, ranging from $3/clip to $25/clip or $6/30mins
to $16/30mins. There will be one single price per event for premium
content.
3G coverage and video call interconnection
SmarTone offers a fast and reliable network with territory-wide
3G coverage. Handover between 2G and 3G is seamless. Its 3G network
will achieve 2G-equivalent coverage in the first quarter of 2005
and full MTR coverage by August next year.
Interconnection for video calls are currently available in 17 popular
overseas destinations, including UK, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium,
Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Portugal,
Greece, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Singapore and South
Korea.
Roaming
3G customers can enjoy seamless roaming coverage as good as 2G
in over 200 destinations, without the need to carry a back-up 2G
phone. 3G data speed plus video calling services while roaming are
available in 7 countries including Japan, UK, Germany, Italy, Luxemburg,
Austria, Singapore, with many more countries to follow next year.
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