City Telecom (Hong Kong)

City Telecom (H.K.) Limited

Company type	Telecommunication
Industry	Telecommunications
Founded	1992
Headquarters	Hong Kong
Key people	Chairman: Mr. Ricky Wong Wai Kay
Products	CTI – IDD 1666, 888 International Calling Card, International Call Forwarding Service, ID16+, Get Fax Easy HKBN – Broadband, HomeTel, bbTV, 2b 2nd Generation Broadband Phone, IDD0030
Number of employees	3,000
Website	www.ctigroup.com.hk

City Telecom (H.K.) Limited (CTI, Chinese: 城市電訊(香港)有限公司; pinyin: chéngshì diàn xìn) (SEHK: 1137, Nasdaq: CTEL) was established in 1992. It is a provider of residential and corporate fixed network and international telecommunications services in Hong Kong, currently the second largest provider of broadband internet in the country. CTI played a significant role in liberalizing the international telecommunications market monopoly in Hong Kong since their launch of services.

CTI’s wholly owned subsidiary, Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited ("HKBN"), is a major fixed telecom network services operator, providing the world's fastest residential 1 Gbit/s, 200Mbit/s, 100Mbit/s, 50Mbit/s and 25Mbit/s broadband Internet access, telephony, IP-TV and corporate data services with their self-built Metro Ethernet IP network, which is the largest alternative end-to-end network in Hong Kong. Since their establishment, the Group has aggressively marketed itself and its services to capitalize on the growth and deregulation of the Hong Kong telecommunications market. HKBN is the first ISP to deploy Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) in the local residential market in September 2007 while the other competitors still predominately use copper wires for their last mile.

City Telecom was listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (Stock Code: 1137) in August 1997 with an ADR Listing on the Nasdaq National Market (Ticker Symbol: CTEL) in the US in November 1999. In addition to the operations in Hong Kong, the Group also has branch offices in Canada and Guangzhou. Pulling together with perseverance, the Group has strived to achieve greater heights, beyond our individual capabilities, against challenging market conditions. Through long term investments and aggressive business strategy, they are building a strong future and laying the foundation to become Hong Kong's preeminent integrated telecommunications services provider.

The Group had the strongest turnover growth since FY2000, with the consolidated turnover grew by 14.2% year-on-year to HK$1,303.0 million for the year ended 31 August 2008. This solid growth was primarily contributed by their increase in Fixed Telecommunications Network Service business (FTNS) of 23.8% to HK$1,011.0 million. Besides, the Group’s profits attributable to their shareholders increased by 333.2% to HK$125.2 million with basic earnings per share reaching HK$19.7 cents.

Self-built next generation network

HKBN’s network currently covers 1.5 million Hong Kong households and will continue to expand towards the 2.0 million target by 2010, reaching over 90% of all homes in Hong Kong. HKBN is the first ISP to deploy Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) in the local residential market in September 2007 while the other competitors still predominately use copper wires for their last mile. The 100% self-built IP network (Metro-Ethernet) with cumulative investment of HK$2.6 billion, is independent from the incumbent operator, which empowers HKBN to offer superior service and value to their customers. Their symmetrical bandwidth ensures unbeatable speed for both uploading and downloading.

For overseas, the Group invested part of submarine cables, including Japan-US Cable to connect the US and Japan across the Pacific Ocean, as well as Asia Pacific Cable Network 2, connecting to eight districts in Asia and allow direct link with the major fixed network operations in China.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) measures

The Group implemented different CSR measures through five aspects:

1. Education of Values: CTI expect their talents with love, concern and direct actions to build up a harmonious society. The City Telecom Volunteer Team was established in August 2007, with aims to partnering with their talents to maximize social impacts. Besides, CTI also actively promote and implement “Green Programmes” to reduce resources consumption in order to save the Earth. CTI has a set of core values for talents to follow. They encourage talents to continuous strive for the best as a way of life. They also lead the development of the industry and expect talents to be People’s Leader and Pioneer. Besides, CTI advocate direct, frank and transparent communication with their colleagues.

2. Employees Training: The Group implemented a series of enhancements to attract, develop and retain the best talent by setting up a Staff Engagement Department in 2006, with the primary objective to provide first class end-to-end service to the talents, working in direct partnership with their Customer Engagement Department. They provided talents with in-house professional development series to enhance talents’ skills and potentials.

3. Enhancing Life Quality: They also implemented work-life balance measures by initiating 5-day work, half day Group Reading session and paternity leave for male talents in September 2006, creating a caring environment for talents so that they can have balanced development in their career, family, health and other aspects for enhanced life quality.

4. Continuous Education: CTI has a comprehensive Education Partnership Program to co-invest in the Talent’s Continuing Education, so as to broaden talents’ horizons to maximize their impact to society. The Group not only sponsors up to 80% of qualified courses chosen by talents and offers them an additional examination leave, but also offers talents special sabbatical leave up to 1 year for their educational pursuit.

5. Enhancing Stakeholders’ Relations: The Group highly values their partnership with different stakeholders to greater contribution to society. Thus, they established close relationship with different non-government organizations, district councilors and educational institutions in the communities.

CTI and HKBN are managed by a team of professionals, rather than any single individual. Every strategic decision is made by the Management Committee.

Founders

Chairman – Wong Wai Kay, Ricky

Mr. WONG Wai Kay, Ricky, is the co-founder and Chairman of the Group. He is responsible for our overall strategic planning and management. Mr. Wong has over 20 years' experience in the telecommunications and computer industries. He had worked at a major US-listed computer company as a marketing representative and was responsible for marketing and distribution of computer products in Hong Kong from 1985 to 1989. He was also a co-founder and director of a company principally engaged in import and distribution of computer systems in Canada prior to co-founding of the Group. Mr. Wong holds a Bachelor's Degree in Science and a Master of Business Administration Degree (Executive MBA Programme) from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He is a first cousin of Mr. Cheung Chi Kin, Paul, the Vice Chairman of the Group. Currently, Mr. Wong is a member of Commission on Youth, a member of Zhejiang Committee, Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, an independent non-executive director of Bossini International Holdings Limited and a member of the Board of Trustees, United College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Vice Chairman – CHEUNG Chi Kin, Paul

Mr. CHEUNG Chi Kin, Paul, is the co-founder and Vice Chairman of the Group. Mr. Cheung is responsible for overall strategic planning and management of the Group. Prior to that, Mr. Cheung was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer and was responsible for our day-to-day operations and technological research, development and support activities. Mr. Cheung has more than 27 years' experience in the telecommunications and computer industries. He had worked in companies engaged in application software development and computer consultancy prior to co-founding of the Group. Mr. Cheung graduated with a Diploma of Advanced Programming and System Concepts Design from Herzing Institute, Canada. Mr. Cheung is a first cousin of Mr. Wong Wai Kay, Ricky, the Chairman of the Group.

Management Committee

The Management Committee was formed to oversee the strategic planning, development and management of the Group. The committee consists of 8 members.

Chairman - Mr. Wong Wai Kay, Ricky

Vice-Chairman - Mr. Cheung Chi Kin, Paul

Chief Executive Officer - Mr. Yeung Chu Kwong, William

Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary & Head of Staff Engagement - Mr. Lai Ni Quiaque

Director of Corporate Division - Mr. Chong Kin Chun, John

Chief Technology Officer - Mr. Lo Sui Lun

Managing Director of Business Development - Ms. To Wai Bing

Milestones

1992

• City Telecom (H.K.) Ltd. was incorporated in Hong Kong
• 888 International Calling Card Service was introduced

1993

• Switching center was established in Buffalo, New York, USA

1994

• Launch of 003 international Guarantee Fax Service
• Launch of GlobaLink International Calling Card Service

1997

• Launch of IDD300 Calling Service
• Set up INC (the Specialized IDD Network for Corporations) for corporate sector
• City Telecom was listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited

1998

• Launch of International Simple Resale (ISR) Fax Service
• Launch of CTInets Internet Access Service
• The first company to receive the license of ISR voice service in Hong Kong

1999

• Launch of IDD1666 Direct Calling Service
• ADR listing on the Nasdaq National Market of USA

2000

• Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited (“HKBN”), a subsidiary of City Telecom obtained the Local Wireless FTNS license
• Launch of Broadband Internet services by HKBN

2001

• CTI International awarded the Satellite-based Fixed Carrier license
• City Telecom Group’s 10th Anniversary

2002

• City Telecom (H.K.) Limited awarded the Cable-based External FTNS license
• HKBN officially launched local on-net VOIP telephony service
• HKBN upgraded to become a wireline-based FTNS licensee
• Launch of HKBN IDD0030 service
• HKBN was confirmed by Cisco Systems to have successfully established the largest Metro Ethernet IP network in the world

2003

• HKBN officially launched IP-TV service

2004

• HKBN launched corporate data services
• HKBN launched off-net residential VOIP service, namely, the Broadband Phone Service
• HKBN announced the launch of “bb100”, Hong Kong’s first 100Mbit/s residential broadband service, and the release of its 1 Gbit/s residential broadband service by 2Q 2005

2005

• HKBN officially launched “bb1000” Fibre-to-the-Home 1 Gbit/s residential broadband service
• HKBN conferred as the winner of Global Entrepolis@Singapore Award 2005, which was presented by the Asian Wall Street Journal in association with the Economic Development Board of Singapore
• HKBN launched 2b Broadband Phone Service, providing VOIP service to local and overseas users via software version broadband phone
• HKBN has become the first service provider in the world to achieve the Cisco Powered Network Metro Ethernet QoS Certified status

2006

• HKBN received “Best Brand Award 2005 (Broadband Service)” from PC Weekly
• CTI Group enhanced Work-Life Balance with the launch of eight employee-beneficial measures
• Liu Xiang “Be Ahead of Yourself” marketing campaign won the “Certificate of Excellence” of HKMA/TVB *Awards for Marketing Excellence 2006, organized by the Hong Kong Management Association and Television Broadcasts Limited

2007

• HKBN launched bb50 & bb200 symmetric residential broadband service supported by “SDU” personalized customer care service
• HKBN enhanced Digital TV Platform and launched new application “bbBOX”
• HKBN received e-zone’s e-brand award 2006-07 “Best Brand for Internet Service Provider”
• HKBN’s IP-TV service was renamed as bbTV
• CTI Group received recognition for its Talent Management Award at the Hong Kong HR Awards 2007
• HKBN was awarded “Integrated Support Team” of the Year at the Asia Pacific Customer Service Consortium (APCSC) Customer Relationship Excellence Awards (CRE Awards)
• CTI Group established Volunteer Team
• HKBN launched “Fiber-To-The-Home” (FTTH) residential broadband services “FiberHome100”, “FiberHome200” and “FiberHome1000”
• City Telecom Group’s 15th Anniversary
• HKBN launched first wave marketing campaign "Squeeze"
• HKBN launched second wave marketing campaign "Alexander Graham Bell" & "Kung Fu Fighting Ants"

2008

• HKBN launched the free WiFi service at public housing rental estates
• HKBN launched Dual Mode High Definition Terrestrial TV Receiver + IPTV Set-Top Box
• HKBN awarded contract for the provision of payhouse service at the Hong Kong International Airport
• HKBN launched third wave marketing campaign "That's Ridiculous"
• HKBN launched the National Geographical Channel's first ever Interactive Channel
• HKBN launched fourth wave marketing campaign "18 Commercials for the 18 Districts"

Awards

2008

• HKBN received Hi-Tech Weekly's The Best of The Best Awards 2007-08 -Best Brand for Internet Service
• HKBN received TVB Most Popular TV Commercial Awards 2008 - "Most Innovative" & "Most Popular Series"
• HKBN received ATV’s The 14th Annual Most Popular TV Commercial Awards

2007

• The Group received HR Awards 2007 - Best Retention Strategy
• The Group was awarded 1st Runner-Up at HKIHRM/SCMP People Management Awards 2007
• HKBN was conferred APCSC Customer Relationship Excellence Awards for "Integrated Support Team" of the Year
• HKBN received e-zone's e-brand award 2006-07 "Best Brand for Internet Service Provider"

2006

• HKBN received “Contact Centre of the Year” (over 100 seats), Corporate Awards - Bronze at the Hong Kong Call Centre Association (HKCCA)'s 7th Annual Call Centre Awards 2006
• HKBN received "Call Center of the Year" and "Customer Service Center of the Year" awards at the Customer Relationship Excellence Awards (CRE Awards) of Asia Pacific Customer Service Consortium (APCSC)
• The Group received 16th International ASTRID Awards Competition - Annual Reports: Corporate Overall: Distinctive Format Over 121 Pages
• HKBN received HKMA/TVB Awards for Marketing Excellence 2006 - Certificate of Excellence: "Be Ahead of Yourself"
• HKBN was awarded ATV’s The 12th Annual Most Popular TV Commercial Awards - Liu Xiang bb 1000
• HKBN received PC Weekly Best Brand Award 2005 (Broadband Service)

2005

• HKBN is the first service provider in the world to achieve the Cisco Powered Network Metro Ethernet QoS Certified Status
• HKBN was the Winner of Global Entrepolis@Singapore Award 2005, presented by the Asian Wall Street Journal and the Economic Development Board of Singapore
• The Group received 2005 International Arc Awards Competition - Interior Design: Telecommunications: Other Countries: Bronze - City Telecom (H.K.) Limited Annual Report

2004

• The Group received 2004 International Arc Awards Competition - Interior Design: Telecommunications: Other Countries: Bronze - City Telecom (H.K.) Limited Annual Report

See also

• Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited
• List of Hong Kong companies
• Companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange

References

External links

• CTI Group Homepage
• CTI International Telecommunications Services
• HKBN Fixed Telecommunications Services
• CTI Group Corporate Carbon Action Profile