HKT to launch 4K ultra-high-definition service on broadband network
Net profit up 32 per cent to HK$3.95 billion
HKT Trust and operating arm HKT, which runs Hong Kong’s most extensive telecommunications infrastructure, is gearing up to launch a city-wide, 4K ultra-high-definition service on its broadband network this quarter after posting solid financial results last year that beat analysts’ estimates.
“HKT’s broadband strength will continue to be our advantage in tapping the market for new demand and upgrade to fibre services,” HKT group managing director Alex Arena said on Thursday.
“The suite of offerings will be complemented this year with a new integrated 4K all-in-one appliance.”
Arena first unveiled plans for an extensive 4K ultra-high-definition service in September with NowTV, the pay-television business of Hong Kong mogul Richard Li Tzar-kai’s PCCW group.
The service, which will offer each HKT Netvigator and NowTV subscriber a single desktop appliance for streaming video and other online applications, has been in pilot testing mode with selected customers since October. The commercial roll-out is likely to start next month.
Netvigator and NowTV have jointly developed a 4K all-in-one appliance using a new set-top box from Samsung Electronics as the hardware platform.