China Unicom Invests HK$3 billion to Build China Unicom (Hong Kong) Global Center
Boosting Hong Kong’s leading position as Asia Pacific ICT hub
Hong Kong, 18 June 2014 – China Unicom (Hong Kong) Operations Limited (“China Unicom Hong Kong”) a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited (“China Unicom”),today announced the construction of its first and largest integrated telecommunications facility overseas in Hong Kong — China Unicom (Hong Kong) Global Center at its Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony.
The company will invest approximately HK$3 billion in the premium information and communications technology (ICT) facility that meets the high international standards of design and construction. The establishment of this Global Center will greatly enhance the network services provided by China Unicom and boost the company’s status as a leading global communications services provider, thus taking a step towards realizing the goals of its international business expansion plans. This initiative will nurture more IT talents in Hong Kong and result in the creation of about 200 job opportunities for top-notch IT and telecommunication professionals, enhancing Hong Kong’s capabilities in telecommunications product development, and further strengthening the city’s position as an ICT hub in Asia Pacific.
The state-of-the-art Global Center comprises six strategic functions, namely: Global Network Operations Center with Submarine Cable Landing Station, Global Network Solutions & Support Center, Cloud Computing Service Platform, Internet Data Center (IDC), Hong Kong Service Platform, and Product Innovation & Development Center. The purpose-built Global Center – with strong network connectivity, an internet data center, cloud computing and innovative ICT capabilities – will deliver more advanced, high-speed, reliable and comprehensive ICT services to global carriers, enterprise customers and organizations in both the private and public sectors.
Demand for global IDCs is exploding across Asia due to the exponential growth in data transmission driven by mobile internet usage, e-commerce, online gaming etc. Asia Pacific is forecasted to emerge as the world’s fastest-growing market for cloud storage with a projected compound annual growth rate of 29% from 2009 to 2018[1]. To meet this rapid increase in demand for data services, the Global Center will utilize its leading ICT infrastructure and extensive international network resources to provide high-speed network communications services to businesses worldwide, supporting them in their international overseas expansion plans. The build-out of the Global Center is a key milestone in China Unicom’s global infrastructure as well as its business strategy; at the same time it propels Hong Kong further towards being the ICT hub of choice for Greater China and Asia Pacific.
Due to China Unicom’s extensive network resources at home and abroad, strong cross-border network connectivity and IDC support from Mainland China, coupled with the robust ICT infrastructure of Hong Kong and a talented team with valuable operational management experience and a global vision, the Global Center will boost China Unicom’s competitiveness on the global stage. China Unicom (Hong Kong) Global Center, as the ICT gateway to the world, will certainly write a brand new page in the company’s international business development,” said Mr. Lu Yimin, Executive Director and President of China Unicom.
The 1.5 hectares land acquisition for the construction of the China Unicom (Hong Kong) Global Center at Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estatewas officially confirmed and approved by the Hong Kong Science & Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) in May 2013. The entire project is expected to be completed by the first half of 2016 with a total built area of 41,000m2, adding over 3,000 racks to the market.
Note: Figures and designs based on present planning and subject to change without prior notice.
About China Unicom (Hong Kong) Operations Limited
Since its establishment in 2000, China Unicom Hong Kong, the largest overseas subsidiary of China Unicom, has been offering international wholesale voice and data business service; mobile service; IDC service; ICT service; and telecom consultancy service to international carriers, enterprise customer, business executives, and travelers. The company provides a one-stop global communications solution to customers in Asia Pacific, Oceania and the Middle East.
Leveraging on China Unicom’s extensive network resources, China Unicom Hong Kong is a leading communication and information service provider in Asia Pacific, holding telecom licenses issued by the Office of the Communications Authority of Hong Kong.
