IMDA releases provisional results to bids for general spectrum

The InfocommunicationsMedia Development Authority (IMDA) has concluded the first stage of the General Spectrum Auction (GSA) on the amount of spectrum to be awarded to interested bidders for the provision of high-speed mobile broadband services.

M1 won the provisional rights* to 30 MHz of spectrum for S$208 million**. Seventy-five MHz of spectrum was provisionally awarded to Singtel Mobile Singapore, the highest amount of spectrum overall, for S$563.7 million. StarHub Mobile takes on 60 MHz of spectrum provisionally, at S$349.6 million, while TPG Telecom was provisionally granted 10 MHz of spectrum for S$23.8 million.

A total of 175 MHz of spectrum in the 700 MHz, 900 MHz and 2.5 GHz spectrum bands, including spectrum to be re-farmed from halting the provision of 2G services, was made available for allocation in the GSA for the provision of high-speed mobile broadband services using technologies like 4G. This will enable the industry to roll out or enhance their mobile networks to meet the increasing demand for mobile data services.

IMDA proceeded with the first stage of the GSA after receiving a request for a combined 225 MHz of spectrum in February 2017 from M1, Singtel, StarHub and TPG at the reserve prices it had set. This was 50 MHz in excess of the spectrum available for allocation.

“The strong interest in the radio spectrum is testament to the mobile network operators' confidence in the mobile market moving forward. Increasingly, high-speed mobile services will be critical in delivering the next generation suite of digital services and products to realise Singapore's digital future. Similar to past spectrum auction proceeds, IMDA plans to reinvest the monies received to help our infocomm media companies and workforce develop their capabilities, strengthen digital infrastructure, and readying themselves for the digital economy,” said Tan Kiat How, Chief Executive of IMDA.

The winning bidders can commence the use of the spectrum to enhance their networks from as early as 1 July 2017***. The next stage of the GSA will determine the specific spectrum bands to be allocated to the winning bidders.

*Spectrum rights will be granted following the completion of the next stage of the GSA and full payment for the awarded spectrum. The amount of spectrum provisionally awarded includes the First Right of Refusal Lots extended to existing spectrum rights holders. M1, Singtel and StarHub exercised their First Right of Refusal for 10 MHz of the  900 MHz spectrum (i.e. one Spectrum Lot) each at the reserve price of S$20 million. 

**The price excludes other fees payable like administrative fees and applicable taxes.

***The spectrum rights in the 900 MHz and 2.5 GHz bands will commence on 1 July 2017, while those in the 700 MHz band will commence on 1 January 2018 at the earliest.