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IDA issues updated rules for forthcoming auction of mobile frequencies in 700 MHz, 900 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.5 GHz bands, including reserved airwaves for market newcomer.
Would-be new entrants to Singapore’s mobile market have until 1 September to file documents expressing their interest in taking part in the upcoming spectrum auction, the country’s telecoms regulator announced on Thursday.
In an amended auction rules paper, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) said it will make a decision within 20 business days of the deadline on whether or not to qualify prospective bidders for the new entrant auction.
It did not specify exactly when the auction will take place. It is likely to happen before the end of the year though, with the spectrum up for grabs having a start date of 1 April 2017.
As previously announced, the IDA has reserved a package of 60 MHz of spectrum in the 900 MHz and 2.3 GHz bands for a newcomer, setting a reserve price of S$35 million (€22.5 million).
Companies that do not already operate a nationwide mobile network in Singapore will be able to take part in the new entrant auction, provided they pass the prequalification phase, the regulator said earlier this year, noting that it has witnessed strong interest in the process. Indeed, there appear to be a number of names in the frame, including OMGTel and MyRepublic.
Once the new entrant auction has taken place, the IDA will sell off the remainder of its available spectrum to the country’s existing mobile network operators, Singtel, StarHub and M1; the new entrant, presuming it exists at that stage, will also be permitted to take part.
The main auction will include 175 MHz of spectrum across the 700 MHz, 900 MHz, 2.3 GHz and 2.5 GHz bands.
The 700-MHz and 900-MHz frequencies will be split into lots of 2×5 MHz and will carry a minimum price of S$20 million per lot. 5-MHz lots of 2.3-GHz and 2.5-GHz frequencies have a reserve price of S$3 million.
Licences in the 700 MHz band will start from 1 January 2018 and will have a duration of 15 years. All other bands are available from 1 April 2017 and licences will last for 16 years.
