HONG KONG, Sept. 26 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited ('Hutchison Telecom'; SEHK: 2332; NYSE: HTX) today announces that Hutchison Essar Limited ('Hutchison Essar' or 'the Company'), its joint venture in India with Essar Teleholdings Limited ('Essar Group') has entered into a binding conditional term sheet for the acquisition of BPL Mobile Communications Limited ('BPL Mumbai') and BPL Mobile Cellular Limited ('BPL Cellular'). It also announces that Hutchison Essar has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire Essar Spacetel Limited ('Spacetel'), a company that has applied for licences in seven licence areas not presently serviced by Hutchison Essar. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050926/HKM003 ) BPL Mumbai is the number two mobile telecommunication services operator in Mumbai with 1.3 million* customers whilst BPL Cellular operates in three licence areas -- Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala -- and has 1.5 million* customers. Hutchison Essar will pay approximately US$1,154 million for these transactions, including the assumption of debts. Spacetel is the applicant for telecommunication services licences in seven service areas in which the Company does not currently operate, namely Madhya Pradesh, North East, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Assam, and Jammu and Kashmir. Hutchison Essar will pay approximately US$6 million in cash for Spacetel. When completed, these acquisitions will immediately lift Hutchison Essar's customer base to more than 12 million,* and will position the Company to become a national mobile telecommunication services operator, giving it the opportunity to cover all 23 licence areas in the country. Dennis Lui, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Telecom said, "These are defining acquisitions for Hutchison Essar. By giving us the ability to complete our nationwide coverage, they position us to capitalise on the tremendous growth opportunities in India." "This is a major investment for Hutchison Essar and clearly signals the commitment of its principal shareholders, Hutchison Telecom and Essar Group, to being a major force in shaping the mobile telecommunications scene in India," added Mr Lui. The cost of these acquisitions will be funded by a combination of shareholder funding and external bank borrowings of Hutchison Essar. The parties will move to signing definitive agreements in relation to the acquisition of BPL Mumbai and BPL Celluar as soon as practicable. Completion of the acquisition of BPL Mumbai and Spacetel are subject to regulatory approval and other conditions. About Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited ('Hutchison Telecom' or 'the Group') is a leading global provider of telecommunication services. The Group currently offers mobile and fixed-line telecommunication services in Hong Kong, and operates or is rolling out mobile telecommunication services in Macau, India, Israel, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Indonesia and Vietnam. It was the first provider of 3G mobile services in Hong Kong and Israel and operates brands including "Hutch", "3" and "Orange". Hutchison Telecom is a listed company with American Depositary Shares quoted on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker HTX and shares listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong under the stock code 2332. A subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based Hutchison Whampoa Group, Hutchison Telecom is dedicated to providing superior telecommunication services in markets with high growth potential. For more information about Hutchison Telecom, see http://www.htil.com/ . About Hutchison Essar Limited Hutchison Essar Limited ('Hutchison Essar', 'the Group') currently operates across 13 telecommunications licence areas in India through six companies -- Hutchison Essar Limited, Hutchison Essar Mobile Services Limited, Hutchison Telecom East Limited, Hutchison Essar South Limited, Fascel Limited and Aircel Digilink India Limited. As of August 2005, the Group has approximately 9.3 million** mobile users under the Hutch and Orange brands and is one of the most reputable telecom companies in India. Over the years, it has been named the 'Most Respected Telecom Company', the 'Best Mobile Service in the Country' and the 'Most Creative and Most Effective Advertiser of the Year'. * Figures from Cellular Operators Association of India, as of August 2005. ** Figures from Cellular Operators Association of India. Cautionary Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited's ('the Company') beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and therefore you should not place undue reliance on them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The Company cautions you that if these risks or uncertainties ever materialise or the assumptions prove incorrect, or if a number of important factors occur or do not occur, the Company's actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. Additional information as to factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's forward-looking statements can be found in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. For enquiries, please contact: Mickey Shiu Corporate Communications Hutchison Telecom Work: +852-2128-3107 Mobile: +852-9092-8233 Email: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050926/HKM003 DATASOURCE: Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited CONTACT: Mickey Shiu, Hutchison Telecom, +852-2128-3107, or +852-9092-8233, or Web site: http://www.htil.com/ http://xprnnews.xfn.info/Hutchison/20050926/Map_eIndia.htm

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