By MKPE ABANG
Just when talk is filling the global airwaves of a possible slowdown in mobile communication uptake resulting from economic meltdown, mobile operators in Singapore have proved the sector is not about to slowdown any time soon. Or, at least, not just yet.
This fact was proven from the one-city state of Singapore, a country of just 5,607,300 population as the country netted a total of $1.14 billion from an auction of $G spectrums.
April 4, 2017, and, the Singaporean Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) puts a princely $1.14 billion into the covers of the Singapore Government being proceeds from auction of 4G spectrums.
The Singapore Government made the $1.14 billion from the sale of airwaves to be used for delivering 4G mobile services, as all three existing telcos Singtel, StarHub and M1 and new telco TPG Telecom took part in the General Spectrum Auction, which concluded on Tuesday (April 4). All walked away with at least 10MHz worth of mobile spectrum.
Singtel paid the highest amount, $563.7 million, for 75MHz of spectrum, the largest block awarded. StarHub paid $349.6 million for 60MHz of spectrum, while M1 paid $208 million for 30MHz of spectrum. TPG, on the other hand, was awarded 10MHz of spectrum for $23.8 million.
A total of 175MHz of spectrum in the 700MHz, 900MHz and 2.5GHz spectrum bands, including spectrum to be re-farmed from the provision of 2G services, was made available in the auction. This will allow telcos to roll out or enhance their mobile networks to meet the increasing demand for mobile data services.
“The strong interest in the radio spectrum is testament to the mobile network operators’ confidence in the mobile market moving forward,” said Mr Tan Kiat How, chief executive of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA); he was appointed to the position only in December 16, 2016; but the appointment took effect on January 1, 2017. The young CEO is aged just 39 years.
“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 use the money to help infocomm media companies go digital.
The winning bidders can start using the spectrum to enhance their networks from July.
In December Australia-based fixed line operator TPG beat out Singapore-headquartered rival MyRepublic to win the city-state’s fourth mobile licence, in a spectrum auction open only to new entrants.
“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 ready themselves for the digital economy.”
Over the years, Singapore has laid the foundation for a thriving ecosystem with its infrastructure of high-speed fibre optic network and extensive wireless links. As the regulator of the telecom industry, IMDA continues to promote a competitive market, while encouraging innovation that brings benefits to companies and consumers.
The IMDA develops and regulates the converging infocomm and media sectors in a holistic way, creating a dynamic and exciting sector filled with opportunities for growth, through an emphasis on talent, research, innovation and enterprise.
As a statutory board in the Singapore government, it seeks to deepen regulatory capabilities for a converged infocomm media sector, safeguarding the interests of consumers and fostering pro-enterprise regulations.
With more pervasive use of data, IMDA will also continue to promote and regulate data protection in Singapore through the Personal Data Protection Commission, which will be part of the IMDA. This will ensure that public confidence in the private sector’s use of personal data is safeguarded.
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