Hong Kong mobile operators are pushing wireless broadband services aggressively by luring users to browse the internet while on the go, before the government auctions off six more licences for broadband wireless access later this year.
But the competitive environment and high infrastructure costs are keeping operators adamant on high monthly tariffs for unlimited mobile broadband usage plans via their 3.5G mobile networks, which are likely to turn off prospective users, industry watchers say.
PCCW, the city's largest telecommunications service provider, last week launched a campaign to promote its wireless broadband service for its residential and mobile platforms. For a minimum monthly fee of HK$18, mobile users can surf the Web through its 3G mobile service.
The operator also provides a 3.5G and Wifi bundled auto network selector that enables laptop users to go online via broadband in Wifi hotspots at coffee shops or 3G mobile networks, away from the Wifi coverage areas.
Such a service, however, is not that affordable to general users, as it costs HK$488 a month aside from a modem cost of HK$1,680 and an 18-month contract commitment.
Hutchison Telecom cut the price of its 3.5G USB mobile broadband modem to HK$980 on a one-year contract commitment. The USB modem supports a download speed of up to 7.2 megabits per second. The mobile broadband monthly fee starts at HK$98 per month with 50 megabytes of data traffic.
