Hutchison Telecommunications International Ltd., an affiliate of Hutchison Whampoa, says it has signed with Apple to sell the popular iPhone in Hong Kong and Macau by the end of this year.

However, Hutchison Telecom has not disclosed whether the iPhone will use 3G, nor has it disclosed further details about the terms of their agreement.

Apple reportedly has signed a number of sales agreements on iPhone, which is expected to enter Singapore, India, Australia and the Philippines later this year, but the company has not made any comment on when the product will come to mainland Chinese and Japanese markets.

As Hutchison Telecom takes over 50% of the share in Hong Kong's 3G market, the introduction of the iPhone should help it further expand its 3G user number if indeed the iPhone will be 3G-enabled.