Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings' (HTHKH) 3 Hong Kong has announced that its city-wide narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) network is now ready for commercialized applications.
The mobile operator completed construction of an NB-IoT network using the 900-MHz band in September in collaboration with Huawei.
The network has been designed as a platform on which research companies and start-ups can develop and launch NB-IoT applications.
In keeping with this, 3 Hong Kong also announced it has selected 10 NB-IoT solutions developed by its 3Innocity incubation program for general release.
The new solutions will include a smart electric vehicle charging platform, expected to launch in the second quarter, and a smart city location analytics platform scheduled to launch the following quarter.
The ten startups selected under the program will be provided with support to shorten time to market and foster sustainable development. The operator provided network, technology and promotional support for the projects.
All 3Innocity projects are provided with access to a free certified NB-IoT specialist program, SIM cards connecting to the 3 Hong Kong IoT network, 4.5G subscription plans and other support.
"3 Hong Kong aims to explore NB-IoT applications holding market potential, while collaborating with start-ups, industry leaders and researchers to establish an IoT ecosystem via our 3Innocity program,” HTHKH CEO Cliff Woo Chiu-man said.
“This will sharpen Hong Kong's competiveness as an innovative city, while boosting efficiency for various industries and enhancing quality of life for the general public."