700 MHz Spectrum Rights (2016), 900 MHz Spectrum Rights (2016), 2.3 GHz Spectrum Rights (2016) and 2.5 GHz Spectrum Rights (2016) Auction (“2016 Spectrum Auction”)

The Assignment Stage of the GSA for the 900 MHz band and 2.5 GHz band took place between 12 April and 19 May 2017.

There was agreement by all Winning Bidders on the entire assignment of the 900 MHz Spectrum Lots, and the final assignment of the 900 MHz band was made based on the said agreement. Winning Bidders of the 2.5 GHz band bid for the final assignment of the 2.5 GHz band. StarHub Mobile Pte Ltd, Singtel Mobile Singapore Pte Ltd and TPG Telecom Pte Ltd submitted Winning Assignment Bids of S$1,700,000, S$48,000 and S$501,000 respectively for the final assignment of the 2.5 GHz band.

IMDA will conduct the Assignment Stage for the 700 MHz band nearer to the commencement date of the 700 MHz spectrum rights.

IMDA received Initial Offers submitted by four parties at the submission deadline of 5pm, 16 February 2017, and registered all four parties to participate in the General Spectrum Auction (GSA). The four parties are:

1. M1 Limited (M1);
2. Singtel Mobile Singapore Pte Ltd (Singtel);
3. StarHub Mobile Pte Ltd (StarHub); and
4. TPG Telecom Pte Ltd (TPG).

IMDA proceeded with the Quantity Stage of the GSA after receiving a total request for 225 MHz of spectrum. This was 50 MHz in excess of the spectrum available for allocation.

The Quantity Stage of the GSA was conducted between 30 March 2017 and 4 April 2017.

Following the end of the Quantity Stage of the GSA, the Winning Bidders were provisionally awarded the following:

* First Right of Refusal Lots are extended to existing spectrum right holders. M1, Singtel and StarHub exercised their First Right of Refusal for 10 MHz of 900 MHz spectrum (i.e. 1 Spectrum Lot) each at the reserve price of S$20 million.

IMDA conducted the New Entrant Spectrum Auction (NESA) between 13 and 14 December 2016.

TPG Telecom Pte Ltd (TPG) made the winning bid of S$105 million, and will be provisionally allocated 60 MHz of spectrum made available in the NESA, comprising 20 MHz in the 900 MHz spectrum band and 40 MHz in the 2.3 GHz spectrum band to provide International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) and IMT-Advanced services (e.g. 4G services).

After reviewing the Expression of Interest Documents, IMDA has pre-qualified My Republic Limited and TPG Telecom Pte Ltd to participate in the New Entrant Spectrum Auction.

IMDA remains in the process of assessing the Expression of Interest Documents, and targets to complete its assessment within the next twenty (20) business days (or such other time as may be notified by IMDA).

As more time is needed to assess the Expression of Interest Documents, IMDA targets to complete its assessment within the next twenty (20) business days (or such other time as may be notified by IMDA).

IDA (now IMDA) has received Expression of Interest Documents submitted by 3 parties at the submission deadline of 5pm, 1 September 2016. IDA (now IMDA) will be assessing the submissions in accordance with the pre-qualification criteria set out in the Auction Rules, before determining whether to pre-qualify any of the applicant(s) for purposes of the New Entrant Spectrum Auction.  IDA (now IMDA) will announce its decision when ready.

IDA (now IMDA) has issued clarifications to queries relating to the 700 MHz Spectrum Rights (2016), 900 MHz Spectrum Rights (2016), 2.3 GHz Spectrum Rights (2016) and 2.5 GHz Spectrum Rights (2016) Auction. IDA (now IMDA) has also issued the final Information Memorandum and Auction Rules.

Prospective New Entrant Bidders who are interested in participating in the New Entrant Spectrum Auction are required to submit a duly completed Expression of Interest Document to IDA (now IMDA) by 5.00pm on 1 September 2016.

IDA (now IMDA) has published the Information Memorandum and Auction Rules for the 700 MHz Spectrum Rights (2016), 900 MHz Spectrum Rights (2016), 2.3 GHz Spectrum Rights (2016) and 2.5 GHz Spectrum Rights (2016) Auction, for the provision of 4G and/or IMT-Advanced telecommunication systems and services, for clarification by interested bidders.

IDA (now IMDA) will be conducting an industry briefing session for prospective new entrant bidders at 9.30am on 11 May 2016 and another industry briefing session for existing nationwide telecommunication operators at 9.30am on 12 May 2016. Parties interested in attending the respective briefing sessions are invited to register their interest with IDA (now IMDA) at ILO@imda.gov.sg with the subject header “Briefing on 2016 Spectrum Auction” by 5pm on 5 May 2016. Parties are required to furnish the following information as part of their registration of interest to attend the respective briefing sessions:

1. Company name
2. Names and designations of all company representatives attending the briefing.

All queries on the Information Memorandum and Auction Rules are to be submitted to IDA (now IMDA) at ILO@imda.gov.sg with the subject header “Query on Information Memorandum and Auction Rules” by 5pm on 20 May 2016.

IDA (now IMDA) will finalise the Information Memorandum and Auction Rules after the industry briefing sessions and clarification by interested bidders.