Hutchison 3G to delay UK launch

Hutchison 3G, set to become the UK's newest mobile operator after purchasing a 3G licence in 2000, has delayed the roll out of 3G services until the end of the year.

The move is a blow to the Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa, which owns stakes in telcos and licences around the world, as it won't be able to capitalise on the traditionally lucrative Christmas buying period.

However, today's Guardian quotes Hutchison 3G UK MD Colin Tucker saying: "We have to launch when ready."

Hutchison 3G has ruled out big handset subsidies and has so far done a good job of keeping its launch name under wraps.

Despite the latest delay, a separate report published by Credit Lyonnaise Securities Asia has stated Hutchison should be able to reach 1.5 million 3G subscribers in the UK by the end of next year.

The investment bank's research note also predicts average monthly spend by users should be considerably higher than that for current 2G services, at around £50-60 ARPU per month.