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Telecoms play numbers game

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PHONE users could be excused for being confused. After decades of having just one telephone operator to choose from, in a space of just a few short months they have four.

Hutchison Telecom last week became the last of Hongkong Telecom's (HKT) new rivals to join the fray. New World Telephone and New T&T - a division of Wharf Holdings - launched their residential and business services late last year.

All are undercutting the prices charged by HKT for monthly line rental by up to 15 per cent for residential users and 20.6 per cent for business customers. Local calls, like those of HKT are free.

But other than price, what factors will help telephone customers make their decisions about which way to turn for the best value? Perhaps the most immediate factor is location.

While HKT can offer services across the territory, the new rivals are for the moment severely limited.

Hutchison's services are restricted to business customers in selected parts of Hong Kong Island, from Sheung Wan to Causeway Bay, plus Quarry Bay. It does not plan to start offering residential lines until April at the earliest.

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