Hong Kong – Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited (“HKBN”) and VTech Telecommunications Limited (“VTech”) are pleased to announce that their co-developed “3-in-1 Connected Home Solution” has won a gold prize in the category of telecommunications products at the Electronic Industries Award (EIA) 2016. The “3-in-1 Connected Home Solution” puts Internet connectivity (LAN and Wi-Fi), voice communication and smart home management system into one single Home Gateway. It is one of the first products of its kind across the Asian market, reflecting our pioneering efforts in realising Internet of Things (IoT) technology for daily living. We expect to roll out the brand-new solution to our selected customers in winter 2016, and to the wider mass market in 2017.
As an innovative gateway capable of delivering 1,000Mbps-enabled fibre broadband and concurrent dual-band Wi-Fi with 802.11ac support, the “3-in-1 Connected Home Solution” not only serves as a gateway for Internet-enabled household devices such as smart devices and OTT set-top boxes, but also supports HD voice calls, network phonebooks and remote control functionality for home monitoring systems. Importantly, the smart home management feature allows for connectivity with other smart home implements such as light bulbs and motion sensors, allowing customers to enjoy easy remote control by using their mobile devices anytime, anywhere.
Gary McLaren, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Owner of HKBN, considers the award as a recognition of the commitment made by HKBN and VTech in bringing advanced technology applications for the benefit of customers. “In the last decade, HKBN led Hong Kong into the fibre Internet era by being first to launch 100Mbps and 1,000Mbps high-speed broadband services. Now we again are proud to be at the forefront of the IoT era. We envisage a much wider range of gadgets and applications to be rolled out in the future, which will undoubtedly bring greater convenience and comfort to our lives.”
“VTech is excited to partner with HKBN to bring more product offerings to end-users. Combining HKBN’s Internet solutions and VTech’s Connected Home products (including cordless phones and VSmart long-range devices/sensors), we are determined to bring smart home capabilities into the homes of all consumers. This easy-to-install system provides state-of-the-art home control and monitoring for every corner of the house, giving homeowners the peace of mind they want,” said C.H. Tong, President of Telecommunication Products, VTech Telecommunications Limited.
To offer one-stop reliable service to customers, HKBN will serve as one single contact point for the offering and support of all telecom services and smart home solutions. Remote diagnosis and end-to-end support can be carried out on a secured platform via this award-winning one-stop hub.
HKBN will roll out the “3-in-1 Connected Home Solution” to its selected customers in winter 2016, and target to launch the service to HKBN customers in 2017.
About Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited
Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited is a subsidiary of HKBN Group (“HKBN” or “The Group”). HKBN Group is Hong Kong’s largest provider of residential high speed fibre broadband (symmetrical 100Mbps to 1,000Mbps) services by number of subscriptions, and a fast growing enterprise solutions provider. The Group offers a full range of telecommunications solutions for both the residential and enterprise markets, encompassing broadband and Wi-Fi network services, cloud solutions, data connectivity, data facilities, system integration, mobile services, entertainment and voice communications. HKBN owns an extensive fibre network in Hong Kong, which covers over 2.2 million residential homes passed, representing approximately 81% of Hong Kong’s total residential units, and more than 2,200 commercial buildings. HKBN embraces “Make our Hong Kong a Better Place to Live” as its core purpose, and takes great pride in developing its Talents into a competitive advantage. The Group is managed by over 340 Co-Owners who have invested their own savings to buy HKBN shares, representing the majority of supervisory and management level Talents in the Group. HKBN Group is part of HKBN Ltd (SEHK Stock Code: 1310).
About VTech
VTech is the global leader in electronic learning products from infancy through toddler and preschool and the world’s largest manufacturer of cordless phones. It also provides highly sought-after contract manufacturing services. Since its establishment in 1976, VTech has been a pioneer in the electronic learning toy category. With state-of-the-art educational expertise and cutting-edge innovation, VTech products provide fun and learning to children around the world. Leveraging decades of success, VTech’s diverse collection of telecommunication products elevates the consumer experience through state-of-the-art technology and design. As one of the world’s leading electronic manufacturing service providers, VTech offers world-class, full turnkey services to customers in a number of product categories. The Group’s mission is to design, manufacture and supply innovative and high quality products in a manner that minimises any impact on the environment, while creating sustainable value for its stakeholders and the community.
