Game on: MyRepublic formally unveils bid to be Singapore's fourth telco

Deploying Pre-5G Internet of Things-enabler is its first move.

With the aim to disrupt the triopoly in Singapore telco field, MyRepublic formally announced its intent to be the fourth mobile operator in Singapore.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the group said they submitted its Expression of Interest (EoI) to the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore with the goal to roll out a network that is Pre-5G, which according to the group, is built to deliver better speeds, lower latency and seamless connectivity.

According to MyRepublic Singapore COO Yap Yong Teck, it will be one of the first networks in the world designed to enable and support emerging Internet of Things (IoT).

“We see fixed and mobile technologies converging, connectivity always being available, and the growing IoT informing our Smart Nation. MyRepublic wants to play a greater part in shaping what is to come,” Yap said.

In its EoI, it detailed the key part of planned Pre-5G rollout, which is the Heterogeneous Network (HetNet) technologies. These are small cells and seamless wireless handover technologies.

The group garnered support from its strategic partner-investors including Sunshine Network, Brunei's DST and Xavier Niel, founder of France's Free telco.

"The opportunities in Singapore from mobile and data services are extremely exciting, and we're very proud to have such a group of industry experts and leaders share our vision," said MyRepublic CEO Malcom Rodrigues.

He added, "Looking at our existing IT capabilities and the synergies with our fixed business, we estimate we already have 80% of a mobile telco in place."

Starting as a small start-up, the group claimed it already has 135,000 customers across Singapore, New Zealand, and Indonesia, with 10,000 new customers added each month.

It is set to launch in Australia by the 2016 wind up.

The outcome of the new entrant spectrum auction is expected to be announced in IDA in October.