New consumer cloud service works across multiple devices for around HK$2 per day
HONG KONG – February 22, 2013 — Microsoft Hong Kong today announced the availability of a new consumer cloud service for Hong Kong consumers – Office 365 Home Premium. The launch of Office 365 Home Premium marks a big step in Microsoft’s transformation into a devices and services business. This is Office reinvented as a consumer cloud service with all the full-featured Office applications, together with impressive new cloud and social benefits – all for HK$780 for an annual subscription, which is as low as around HK$2 per day, or less than a single tram ride.
Microsoft also announced a new cloud partnership with Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited (HKBN) to jointly introduce exciting new home-productivity packages, enabling local households to enjoy the utmost in productivity and cloud flexibility, at home and while on the go, across different types of devices including Windows PCs and popular smart devices like tablets and smartphones.
“Office 365 Home Premium is designed to help busy households and people juggling ever-increasing work and family responsibilities. It demonstrates our clear commitment to fully empower people to save more time, stay connected easier and enjoy a better work-life balance,” said Horace Chow, general manager of Microsoft Hong Kong. “HKBN, with its extensive fiber broadband and Wi-Fi networks as well as a full range of premier telecommunication services for residential and business markets, is a natural partner for Microsoft. We believe that our new partnership will bring Hong Kong consumers exceptional end-to-end productivity and an unsurpassed cloud experience.”
“HKBN is pleased to partner with Microsoft and support the launch of its Office 365 cloud service, as we share the same vision of supporting Hong Kong’s development as a regional cloud hub by giving more users ubiquitous connectivity and productivity anytime, anywhere,” said William Yeung, CEO of HKBN. “With Microsoft’s software leadership, Office 365 Home Premium is a great solution for families or individuals with multiple devices, and HKBN’s network excellence, this partnership will bring true value and delightful capabilities to our mutual customers.”
 |
 |
 |
New Partnership takes Consumers to the Cloud
With the new cloud partnership between Microsoft and HKBN comes a very special offer. New or selected existing HKBN customers who join or renew designated Access packages can enjoy 100M broadband service with steady speed guarantee, HKBN Wi-Fi service and a one-year subscription of Office 365 Home Premium. Monthly fee is as low as HK$168# with a 24-month contract. Both companies will continue to explore more partnership opportunities in accelerating the adoption of cloud in Hong Kong.
Productivity Gain of 23 Days a Year if More Organized
Also unveiled at the launch were results of a Modern Family Lifestyle Survey*, commissioned by Microsoft and conducted by the Public Opinion Programme at the University of Hong Kong (HKUPOP) in January 2013. The survey findings reveal that Hong Kong families are highly digitized and user families on average are using more than 5 personal computers and/or mobile devices (such as desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones) at home. More than 60% of respondents from these families agree technology can help them get more organized, and they feel that ultimately they can save an average of 1.5 hours a day if they can become more organized in managing personal matters. More than half of the respondents also said they are willing to use money to buy an extra hour each day, and they are willing to pay more than $1,000 on average to buy an extra hour.
Office 365 Home Premium is designed to help people be more productive from virtually anywhere and find the flexibility to do the things they want at an attractive subscription price. Major survey findings include: –
- 96% of the user families have either broadband or Wi-Fi coverage at home.
- On average, Hong Kong families that use PCs or mobile devices consist of 3.5 members and have more than five devices at home (including desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones).
- Almost 40% have three or more Internet-connected desktop (PC/Mac/laptop) devices, while 65% have three or more mobile devices.
- On average, people in these families spend 2.8 hours a day using Internet-connected PCs or Macs and 35% of that time on work or education.
- The top five applications used include: looking for information (56%); entertainment (40%); keeping in touch with friends/relatives/colleagues (31%); emailing (30%); and networking via social media (26%).
- Around 60% of these people consider it important to access and share information flexibly using different devices throughout the day.
- More than 60% of these people agree that technology can help them get more organized and thus save time.
- The top two tasks for which these people need an effective IT tool are: sending and receiving emails (65%), and organizing events with friends/family (49%).
- More than 70% of these people have family, friends and/or business connections abroad and will use web-based instant messaging and video conferencing tools to communicate with them.
- Skype is the most-used tool to stay connected and one-third of respondents use Skype for video or voice conversation with families, friends and business connections abroad.
- More than 60% of these people think they can manage their personal matters effectively and can find time to doing things they love, and most of them also agree that technology can help them get more organized and thus save time.
- These people feel they can save around 1.5 hours a day on average if they can become more organized in managing personal matters.
- Over half of those surveyed spend less than $500 per month on subscriptions for informational services.
- More than half of the respondents also said they are willing to use money to buy an extra hour each day, and they are willing to pay more than $1,000 on average to buy an extra hour.
About Office 365 Home Premium
With Office 365 Home Premium, subscription is around HK$2 per day, users can ensure that their software is always kept current with the latest features and services via streamed updates. Other Office 365 Home Premium benefits include:
- The latest and most complete set of Office applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher and Access.
- One license for the entire household to use Office on up to five devices, including Windows tablets, PCs or Macs, plus Office on Demand from any internet-connected PC**.
- An additional 20 GB of SkyDrive cloud storage, nearly three times the amount available with a free SkyDrive account.
- 60 free Skype world calling minutes per month to call mobile phones, landlines or PCs around the world***.
- Future upgrades, so you always use the latest time-saving technology.
People can learn more about Office 365 Home Premium or try it free for 30 days at http://www.office.com.
Simultaneously, Microsoft Hong Kong today released Office 365 University for college or university students, faculty and staff at a price of just HK$620 for a four-year subscription. The company also released updated versions of the traditional Office suite: Office Home and Student 2013 at HK$1,099, Office Home and Business 2013 at HK$1,699, and Office Professional 2013 HK$3,099.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About Hong Kong Broadband Network
Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited is a leading telecommunications service provider with most high-speed broadband subscriptions (100Mbps and above) in Hong Kong, offering a diversified portfolio of innovative products in broadband and Wi-Fi access, communication and entertainment to over 1.3 million subscribers. As the owner and operator of one of the biggest fibre optic networks in Hong Kong which passes over 2 million homes and 1,700 commercial buildings, HKBN provides premier telecommunications services to both business and residential markets. In May 2012, HKBN underwent a management buy-out and is now majority-owned by funds advised by CVC Capital Partners and 62 HKBN managers.
#Terms and conditions apply. For details, please visit apply.hkbn.net
*Microsoft Hong Kong commissioned the University of Hong Kong to survey more than 500 local families.
**App availability varies by operating system, device and language.
***Skype world minutes not available in all countries, while calls can only be made to select countries.
