3 Hong Kong
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Predecessor | Hutchison Telecom Hong Kong |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
Area served | Hong Kong |
| Products | Mobile services (5G, 4.5G LTE Advanced Pro, 4G LTE, 3G, GSM dual-band), Wi-Fi, gaming and home entertainment solutions |
| Owner | CK Hutchison (via Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings) |
| Parent | Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings |
| Website | www |
3 Hong Kong (also known as 3HK or Three HK; ) operates as a telecom and internet service provider within Hong Kong. It is managed by Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings, which is a subsidiary under the CK Hutchison umbrella. Utilizing the internationally recognized Three brand, 3 Hong Kong was the pioneer in adopting this branding strategy, setting a precedent for other global affiliates.
Established in 1984 and adopting the 3 Hong Kong name in 2002, the company delivers a variety of mobile services including 5G, 4.5G LTE Advanced Pro, 4G LTE, 3G, and GSM dual-band networks, alongside Wi-Fi connectivity through its proprietary infrastructure. Beyond conventional mobile communications, 3HK has expanded its offerings to include gaming and home entertainment solutions, broadening its consumer base.
History
Originating in 1984 under the name Hutchison Telecom Hong Kong, the firm was granted a license to operate an AMPS cellular network. The following year, it introduced Hong Kong’s inaugural analogue mobile telecommunications service.
In 1995, 3 launched its GSM network and subsequently rolled out Asia’s first dual-band system in 1998. By May 2004, its associated 2G operator Orange underwent rebranding to "3 Dualband" for GSM services and "3 CDMA" for CDMA offerings.
On 29 May 2008, Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited collaborated with Apple Inc. to bring the iPhone to markets in Hong Kong and Macau under the 3 brand.
The year 2010 saw the introduction of the 3Home Broadband brand, which combined fixed-line, mobile, and Wi-Fi services into one unified package. By 2012, the company had launched 4G LTE with comprehensive coverage throughout Hong Kong’s MTR system and formed a partnership with Vodafone. That same year, 3HK became a member of the Conexus Mobile Alliance.
In 2014, announcements were made regarding plans to provide Skype's Unlimited World and VoLTE services. By 2016, the company had introduced 4.5G technology.
In 2017, a strategic collaboration with Razer resulted in opening a RazerStore concept outlet in Causeway Bay, aimed specifically at gaming enthusiasts.
Mobile network
| Frequency | Bandwidth | Technology | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 700 MHz (703~713; 758~768) | 2x10 MHz | ||
| 900 MHz (885~895; 930~940) | 2x10 MHz | GSM/LTE | |
| 1800 MHz (1760~1770;1855~1865)+(1780~1785;1875~1880) | 2x15 MHz (non-contiguous) | GSM/LTE | |
| 2100 MHz (1964.9~1979.7;2154.9~2169.7) | 2x15 MHz | HSPA+/LTE | |
| 2300 MHz (2360~2390) | 30 MHz | TD-LTE | Carrier Aggregation: 20+10 MHz |
| 2600 MHz (2500-2515, 2620-2635) | 2x15 MHz | LTE | |
| 2600 MHz (2515~2520;2635~2640) | 2x5 MHz | LTE | Operated via Genius Brand Limited (a joint venture between HKT and Three HK) |
| 3.3 GHz (3300~3330) | 30 MHz | ||
| 3.5 GHz (3560~3600) | 40 MHz | 5G NR |
As of June 2017, approximately 3.078 million users subscribed to services from 3 Hong Kong, positioning it as the third-largest mobile operator within the region. By February 2018, the network capabilities included:
- GSM-900/1800 with support for GPRS and EDGE
- UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSPA+ operating on the 900/2100 MHz bands
- LTE coverage across the 900/1800/2100/2600 MHz frequencies plus TD-LTE on the 2300 MHz band
- Deployment of LTE Advanced and LTE Advanced Pro technologies
Since 2017, in collaboration with Huawei, preparations have been underway to introduce 5G connectivity services across Hong Kong.
Home broadband
Originally, 3 Hong Kong provided home broadband services under the 3Home Broadband name. In 2017, this offering was rebranded and separated from the Three brand, becoming a primary service of HGC Global Communications, which operates as a subsidiary of CK Hutchison. Although the branding changed, customer assistance and promotional activities for HGC home broadband continue to be handled through 3 Hong Kong retail outlets (3Shop).