ABN Amro Asia reports that China Telecom (Hong Kong) has added a total of 950,000 subscribers in the first five months of the year. The mainland's mobile market just passed 18 million, giving a penetration of about 1.5 per cent. The fixed-line penetration has risen to about 9.5 per cent.
A little-known discounted international call operator is offering what it calls the cheapest tariffs. From tomorrow, China Hong Kong International Communication Company is offering calls to Shenzhen/Shekou for $2.18, the rest of Guangdong province for $3.38, and the rest of China for $7.86 a minute. The company, which uses the international prefix 128, also offers services to most other main call destinations. Another little-known outfit, called T&T Tele-service, also is offering calls to any mainland number for 10 cents a second or $6 a minute.
The ICO global satellite consortium has signed a second deal with Singapore Telecommunications covering an Asia-Pacific roaming agreement. The agreement will allow SingTel customers to use the ICO system and ICO customers to use the SingTel GSM network. ICO plans to launch its services in 2000.