Telecom operator SmarTone – Mobile Communications (Macau), Limited announced in a statement yesterday that it will cease the provision of mobile communication services in Macau, and CTM will provide customers’ communication services for their remaining contract period.
The statement said that SmarTone’s decision was made after its “business consideration”, adding that SmarTone has reached an agreement with CTM to ensure that customers’ mobile communication services “are not affected”, and customers can choose to subscribe to different service plans offered by CTM.
Starting from today till October 31, SmarTone will arrange SIM card replacements for users in batches and other SIM card based information and communication technology services, the statement said, adding that the arrangement will be sent to customers individually via SMS.
For enquiries, users may call SmarTone’s customer hotline on 1628 or CTM’s customer service hotline on 1000, or go to SmarTone’s outlets in person.
Meanwhile, the Post and Telecommunications Bureau (CTT) confirmed in a separate statement yesterday that SmarTone has forfeited its 4G licence and has no plans to renew the 3G licence after its expiration.
On the other hand, SmarTone is committed to handling employee arrangements in accordance with the Labour Relations Law and employment contracts, and will coordinate with CTM on providing employment opportunities to suitable current employees in order to retain talent for the telecommunications industry, the bureau said.
Listed in Hong Kong in 1996, SmarTone is a subsidiary of Sun Hung Kai Properties. It began its pursuit of 5G development in Hong Kong in May 2020. However, it does not provide any 5G services in Macau.
After SmarTone’s exit from the local telecom market, there will be only three telecom operators running 4G services, namely CTM, and China Telecom (Macau) Company Limited and 3 Macau, with the former two running 5G services as well.
This photo taken yesterday shows one of the SmarTone’s outlets in Avenida de Horta e Costa. – Photo: MPDG
