HONG KONG-Third-generation operator Hutchison Whampoa Ltd. said its 3G subscriber base now totals more than 3.2 million users worldwide, although the carrier reported a high loss from its 3G operation in its financial reports released Thursday.
The carrier’s 3G group lost $532 million before interest expense, taxation, depreciation and amortization in the first six months of 2004, which the Hong Kong-based company said is within its planning expectations for the year and “reflects the progress made building these businesses.” The 3G group reported an overall loss of $1.1 billion for the six-month period.
The carrier, which has struggled with a lack of handsets and early demand for its 3G services said customer additions currently averages more than 22,500 per day. Hutchison’s average cost of acquiring a customer for the month of July was $311 compared with nearly $370 for the first seven months of the year.
Hutchison Whampoa owns several operations in addition to telecommunications, including ports and services, property and hotels, retail and manufacturing, and other business areas.
