The Telecommunications Authority of Hong Kong announced Monday that it had completed the grant stage of the auction for the third generation (3G) mobile services licensing, with the award of four licenses to successful bidders in the auction.

The four bidders are Hong Kong CSL Limited, Hutchison 3G HK Limited, SmarTone 3G Limited and SUNDAY 3G (Hong Kong) Limited, the office of the Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) said at a news release.

"All stages of the auction for 3G Mobile Services Licensing have now been successfully completed," said Anthony Wong, director of the OFTA. "The issue of 3G licenses will allow Hong Kong to enjoy 3G services at the same time as other advanced economies," he said.

"The licensees may now start to roll out their networks and I believe Hong Kong is well positioned to be a world center for 3G innovation," said Wong.

The OFTA also published on the same day the guidelines for the application of Public Non-exclusive Telecommunications Service (PNETS) licenses for operating MVNO service. All interested parties can now apply for the licenses for MVNOs, Wong added.

3G is the next generation of mobile telecommunications, which will allow mobile access to personalized multimedia services, anytime anywhere.