Singapore Companies Cruise Through 3G License Process

date: April 12, 2001 - source by:

The three existing Singapore mobile network operators - SingTel, M1 and StarHub - have been handed third-generation (3G) mobile licenses by the Singapore government.

Since there were only three applications for 3G spectrum rights, an auction is now unnecessary. Each carrier will be able to take up the frequencies at the reserve price of S$100 million (US$55.28 million).

An initial fourth application had come from Expert Asia Ltd, a company backed by Hong Kong mobile network operator Sunday Communications.

But Expert Asia failed to make an initial offer to the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA). Financing did not come in time.

The three operators have to make payments to the IDA by April 23, after which they should be granted the 3G license. Each carrier will have to roll out 3G service nationwide in Singapore by the end of 2004.