British Telecom Reportedly May Join Singapore's 3G Auction

date: 14th February 2001

British Telecommunications PLC reportedly may be eyeing one of Singapore's forthcoming third-generation, or 3G, mobile licenses.

BT submitted its own comments on the forthcoming 3G auction to the Infocomm Development Authority, separate from an application by Starhub Pte. Ltd., which is 18% owned by BT, Wednesday's Straits Times reported. This sparked off speculation that BT may be participating in the auction on its own, the report said.

According to the Straits Times, the authority received only five submissions at the close of its consultation for its draft 3G auction guidelines on Monday.

Other telecom companies which had submitted comments were Singapore Telecommunications Ltd., Mobile One, StarHub and Hong Kong's Sunday Communications (SDAY).

Usually, auction guidelines don't affect the industry as a whole, and are geared specifically to potential bidders, the report said. However, one shouldn't read too much into BT's 3G feedback submission, BT spokesman Harry James told the Straits Times.

Mr. James said the bid was "no indication" that BT was keen on selling out on StarHub, or that it was considering going alone for a 3G license in Singapore.

"We have done the same in Hong Kong where we have a stake in SmarTone. We don't think it's a strange move because British Telecom has an interest in 3G technology and licenses around the world," Mr. James said.

BT's submission came after news of Singapore Power's exit from StarHub, fueling speculation that BT may too sell out of the Singapore telecommunications company.

A StarHub spokesman said BT hasn't yet announced any firm plans with regard to its investment in StarHub.

The authority has three weeks to issue its final auction guidelines and industry players will then have another two weeks to submit queries on the rules, Straits Times said.

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