Location-based applications for companies are being tested by Hutchison Telecommunications, according to Kenneth Cheng, head of the company's mobile enterprise unit. Hutchison's Orange is Hong Kong's largest mobile network.
The applications helped companies to track the location of sales and repair teams, allowing the more efficient despatch of workers, Mr Cheng said at a wireless business conference held in Hong Kong this week.
He declined to name the customers testing the services, but said the commercial launch would happen in the next month or so.
Location-based mobile services are starting to appear in Hong Kong, with Orange claiming to be the only network offering 'push' advertising that sends short messages to customers based on their proximity to advertisers' businesses.
According to many in the industry, other networks are looking at introducing the services because user revenues based on voice services are declining. On average, Hong Kong's mobile providers draw about 2 per cent of their revenue from data services, and voice revenue may have already reached its peak.
However, some are doubtful as to how quickly new data services will be introduced because the networks are locked in intense competition over voice minutes and are proceeding cautiously in terms of investment and marketing.
