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For Immediate Release

Orange and Compaq partner to develop
wireless corporate solutions in Hong Kong

Pioneered "Wirefree Office" enables corporations to
enhance business communications and overall operational efficiency

  • Provide "Wirefree Office" corporate solution first to Compaq

  • Pioneer CDMA 64kbps wireless modem card, complemented with Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC and Notebook PC which provide users with one-box solution to enjoy high-speed access to "Wirefree Office" and the Internet

  • Work closely with leading service providers to develop innovative wireless corporate communications solutions

HONG KONG, February 15, 2001 - Orange has joined forces with Compaq Computer Limited to develop wireless corporate solutions for business users in Hong Kong, and has provided Compaq with the pioneered "Wirefree Office" solution as the first initiative of this partnership. Orange also brings the new CDMA 64kbps wireless modem card - the first in Hong Kong to support IS95B packet data transmission technology - complemented with Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC and Notebook PC, providing users with one-box solution to enjoy high-speed access to the "Wirefree Office" service and the Internet at speeds of up to 64kbps.

With the launch of the "Wirefree Office", Orange is leading Hong Kong into a new wave of wireless corporate solutions, and will continue to develop a wide range of innovative solutions to meet the needs of corporate customers.

Leading the wave to total wireless corporate communications

Mrs Agnes Nardi, Managing Director of Hutchison Telecom said, "We are delighted to partner with Compaq for developing innovative wireless communications products and services for the business community in Hong Kong, by combining Orange's leadership in mobile communications and data services with Compaq's extensive experience in enterprise solution."

Mrs Nardi added, "The launch of the "Wirefree Office" is our first initiative in the development of wireless corporate solutions in Hong Kong. Dedicated to the corporate market, we will continue our efforts to expand the scope of wireless corporate solution offerings this year. These include Intranet access, wireless sales management, wireless logistics management, mobile stock trading, group messaging and much more. It is our mission to bring the power of wireless corporate communications to the business world and lead Hong Kong into a new era of mobile business."

Mr Peter Yeung, Managing Director of Compaq Computer Limited said, "As a leading global provider of technology and solution and the largest supplier of computing systems in the world, Compaq stays at the forefront of using the latest technologies. Compaq shares the same vision with Orange in which we provide technology infrastructure, platform and services to co-develop the "Wirefree Office" Solution. This strategic alliance with Orange is a cornerstone of our vision for a wireless office environment - where anybody can easily and efficiently access required corporate information via mobile devices anytime, anywhere. Leveraging on Orange's extensive telecommunications experience and technological expertise, we have jointly developed the most advanced wireless corporate communications solutions for corporate customers."

Easy and convenient connection to corporate network via WAP phone or Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC/ most Notebook PC with CDMA 64kbps wireless modem card

The "Wirefree Office" is the first initiative of this partnership to offer Compaq employees comprehensive wireless corporate communications services. Compaq's employees will be able to instantly access their corporate e-mail system, and retrieve corporate calendar and address book anytime, anywhere, via WAP phone, or the Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC and most of today's Notebook PC inserted with CDMA 64kbps wireless modem card.

Users can compose, read, reply, delete and forward corporate e-mails, as well as send and forward the attachment file to other users, keeping in touch with customers, colleagues and business partners at all times. They can view appointments and meeting schedules on the corporate calendar, allowing them to manage their daily activities in a more effective and convenient way. They can also access and search personal or business contacts on the corporate address book, giving them easy access to critical business information on the move.

Innovative short message services (SMS) alert function to help employees handle daily work at ease

With the SMS alert function, users can be notified by an instant SMS message to their mobile devices when receiving new e-mail. Users can set filtering criteria for receiving SMS alerts such as sender, importance and key words in subject, allowing users to manage their e-mails more efficiently. The SMS function can also be extended to appointments and meeting schedules, keeping them updated on all important appointments.

Three levels of secured connection for accessing corporate e-mail system

The "Wirefree Office" features advanced technology to ensure a high level of security for accessing corporate e-mail system. The system is designed to require three levels of authorization. The security system will first authenticate the user's mobile phone number. Then, the second level of security requires the user to input his or her username and password to access the company's Intranet server. The third level of security requires the user to input his or her username and password to access the exchange server for logging into the corporate e-mail, calendar and address book. There is also a timeout function if a certain time period expires when accessing corporate information.

Using the new CDMA 64kbps wireless modem card and Compaq iPAQ Pocket PC to enjoy high-speed Internet connection

Besides WAP phones, users can also access to the "Wirefree Office" via a one-box solution with Compaq iPAQ H3630 Pocket PC or most of today's Notebook PC inserted with the new CDMA 64kbps wireless modem card. This modem card is the first PCMCIA Type II wireless modem card supporting IS95B packet data transmission technology at speeds of up to 64kbps. By inserting this modem card into the PCMCIA jacket of iPAQ Pocket PC or most of today's Notebook PC, users can access the Internet and the "Wirefree Office", and download files, bringing them the convenience of high-speed wireless data communications.

Compaq iPAQ H3630 Pocket PC features a bright, clear, colour 240x320 dpi TFT LCD screen that provides a clear viewing of websites and digital photography, and supports web-based and application-based e-mail with attachment files in Word, Excel and JPEG formats. Besides Calendar and Contacts, the Pocket PC is preloaded with standard Microsoft Windows for Pocket PC applications include Microsoft Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Reader and Windows Media Player.

About Hutchison Telecom

Hutchison Telecom is the largest mobile phone operator in Hong Kong with a subscriber base of 1.6 million, representing about 33% share of the local market. Hutchison Telecom unveiled its world-first CDMA commercial network in 1995 and Asia's first Dual Band GSM network in 1998. In May 2000, Hutchison Telecom launched the Orangeworld wirefree internet service as a groundbreaking initiative in the development of the mobile internet market in Hong Kong. The Company has also introduced Hong Kong's first IS95B packet data mobile service in August 2000. Hutchison Telecom is actively expanding further its portfolio of service offerings in mobile internet, high-speed data communications and m-commerce services, as part of its migration to 3G. For more information about Hutchison Telecom, please visit the Company's website at www.orangehk.com.

About Compaq

Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune Global 100 company, is a leading global provider of technology and solutions. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures, and markets hardware, software, solutions, and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, and communications products, commercial desktop and portable products, and consumer PCs that are sold in more than 200 countries. Information on Compaq and its products and services is available at www.compaq.com.

Compaq Computer Limited was established in Hong Kong in 1989. More information on Compaq in Hong Kong is available at www.compaq.com.hk.

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For more information, please contact:

Ms Frances Ng
Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited
Tel: 2128 6739     Fax: 2123 1257
Email: francesng@hthk.com

Ms Linda Yung
Compaq Computer Limited
Tel: 2805 3100     Fax: 2805 4294
Email: linda.yung@compaq.com