M1 targets a further 20,000 3G users by year-end

June 19, 2005

MobileOne is hoping to add about 20,000 new 3G mobile phone subscribers in Singapore by the end of the year, reported Dow Jones Newswires.

The firm, with a subscriber base of about 1.2 million, had 1,500 3G subscribers at the end of the first quarter.

"At the end of the fourth quarter, about 2% of our subscribers are expected to have 3G," said Chief Executive Neil Montefiore.

He does not expect "massive (3G) consumer adoption yet" and said the take-up rate of 3G would depend on handset development.

M1 expects 3G subscribers to account for 50% of its total customer base over the next five years.

The firm launched its 3G service in February while rivals SingTel and StarHub launched in February and April respectively.

SingTel is reported to have close to 20,000 subscribers.