While Hong Kong's multimedia messaging system splits into two camps, local operators insist the MMS system will succeed.
After many months of silence, MMS interoperability between local phone companies, seen as crucial for the service's success, was announced separately by Hong Kong's six leading wireless carriers.
First SmarTone said users subscribing to its MMS service could exchange messages with Hutchison Telecom and Peoples Telephone subscribers. New World Mobility announced interoperability on the same day with CSL and Sunday.
According to sources close to some of the firms involved, SmarTone's camp has largely invested in Ericsson MMS infrastructure while its three opposites have chosen Nokia equipment. Differences in implementation have resulted in compatibility problems between the MMS equipment from the two vendors, delaying cross-operator interconnection.
CSL spokeswoman Vivian Shek said CSL was in interconnection talks with SmarTone, Hutchison and Peoples but there was no clear deadline for their MMS services to work together. 'We are announcing interconnection relationships as and when deals are completed. The perceived delay is not because we are on different technology platforms.'
She said wireless carriers in Hong Kong were fully aware of the importance of MMS interconnection as a result of 'the lesson learnt from SMS'.
'We have to spend a lot of time testing the networks, agreeing on the fee structure so it is not so easy to establish interconnection. It takes time but it will definitely happen,' she said.