Hong Kong's key telecommunications companies are offering several mobile services for businesses based on high-speed wireless data networks.
CSL, the associate mobile phone network of Pacific Century CyberWorks, and Hutchison Telecom recently launched services aimed at enabling corporate customers to use mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) to access their intranet, e-mail and contacts. SmarTone is expected to introduce a similar service soon.
As part of CSL's 1010 Office services, it offers intranet and e-mail access over its general packet radio services (GPRS) and circuit-switched data networks for companies using Microsoft or Lotus e-mail platforms. Users can gain access using a variety of GPRS-enabled devices. A wireless GPRS PC card is needed to provide the connectivity from a PDA.
Hutchison Telecom's service differs from CSL's, offering access only to corporate e-mail and with only one choice of device - Canadian company Research In Motion's BlackBerry. This is a monochrome, pager-size device which is a big success in North America because it is easy to use.
About 13,000 businesses in North America and Europe are using the BlackBerry solution via GPRS/global system for mobile communications carriers. The device has a built-in browser, basic organiser functions and short-messaging system.
Hutchison Telecom officials said the BlackBerry solution would work with Microsoft and Lotus e-mail platforms.