HP has entered into joint venture with Aspire Holdings, a majority-owned subsidiary of China Mobile (Hong Kong), to research and develop wireless data and Internet solutions, including wireless platforms and solutions for mobile network operators, online merchants, content providers and e-companies in China.
It is expected that the alliance will be extended beyond China into other areas of Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world.
As part of the alliance, HP will make an investment of up to a maximum equity stake of 7 percent in Aspire. HP will become a preferred provider of hardware and related services for Aspire`s Mobile Information Services Centre, a standardised nationwide platform for wireless data services in China. In return Aspire will become a preferred customer of HP.
HP also will assist in planning Aspire`s information technology needs and the design, implementation and support of its services in China. Both companies are poised to explore other areas of co-operation, including sales, marketing and reseller agreements.
"This is a giant step toward making our vision of mobility a reality," said Rich Raimondi, vice president and general manager, HP E-Services.Solutions. "HP and Aspire will work to transform how businesses operate and how consumers on-the-go live their lives in China."
"We expect CMHK to benefit from Aspire`s expected fast growing revenue streams generated from providing different wireless data services, such as systems and gateway integration service fees, software licensing fees, and wireless solution fees for e-corporates," said Wang Xiaochu, chairman of China Mobile (Hong Kong) (CMHK).
Aspire was recently established by CMHK to develop and provide wireless data service solutions, as well as systems and gateway integration services. Aspire will initially target the provincial mobile network operators of CMHK and its parent China Mobile Group which, when combined, have more than 60 million subscribers in China.
Aspire also intends to provide wireless data systems integration and software development services to other mobile network operators and content and application providers in China, as well as to enterprise customers outsourcing wireless data services.
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China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited
China Mobile (Hong Kong) Limited is the second largest mobile telecommunications company in the world, having a subscriber base of 42.7 million as of November 2000. The company is the leading cellular operator in China and now operates in 13 provinces and municipalities in mainland China, serving a geographically contiguous market covering all the coastal regions of mainland China with 608 million people, or approximately 48% of the total national population within its coverage area. Information about CMHK can be found on the World Wide Web at www.chinamobilehk.com.
HP
Hewlett-Packard Company - a leading global provider of computing and imaging solutions and services -- is focused on making technology and its benefits accessible to individuals and businesses through simple appliances, useful e-services and an Internet infrastructure that`s always on.
HP has 88,500 employees worldwide and had total revenue from continuing operations of $48.8 billion in its 2000 fiscal year. Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at www.hp.com.