Hutchison Whampoa remains upbeat about the future of its 3G business despite continuing losses, noting that subscriber growth was on target for the first half of the year. Hutchison has signed up 2.5 million 3G users since the beginning of the year and expects to have 6 million subscribers by the end of the year. It added almost 700,000 3G users in July.

The company's 3G business lost HK$12.24 billion before interest and taxes, 15% less than during the previous interim period.

Hutchison spent HK$5.53 billion in the first half to acquire new 3G customers. Most of this figure is believed to be for subsidies on handsets. Subscriber acquisition costs in the year to July averaged €299 (HK$2,875) per person, reports

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