Hello, fourth telco: IDA unveils plan to facilitate new mobile network operator

It will auction additional mobile spectrum this year.

An upcoming telco to join the incumbent triumvirate has been a speculation discussed for quite a while now, and the new plan unveiled by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has finally added clarity to the hazy picture.

According to a press release by the IDA, it plans to conduct the spectrum allocation exercise this year, with a total of 235 MHz of spectrum to be available for mobile services.

Additionally, the IDA said it will also facilitate the entry of a new mobile network operator (MNO), if any, while making sure that the incumbents still has sufficient spectrum to continue to provide quality mobile services.

The IDA explains that the spectrum auction will take place over two stages in order: the new entrant spectrum auction, and the general spectrum auction.

“The New Entrant Spectrum Auction will be held first, where only interested pre-qualified parties who do not currently operate a nationwide mobile network in Singapore will be eligible to participate. The pre-qualification process serves as a check to ensure that only capable and committed parties are allowed to participate in the auction,” the press release said.

On the other hand, the general spectrum auction will be held after this, and open to the incumbent MNOs and any new MNO who emerges after the initial auction.

The IDA also assured would-be incumbents that will allow a reasonable period for building its own network, and will require the new MNO to comply with IDA’s relevant regulatory frameworks and requirements, including Quality of Service (QoS) and service resiliency standards, in phases.

Speaking about the decision, the IDA said the plans follows two public consultations last April 2014 and July 2015 on the allocation of radio spectrum for mobile broadband services and the introduction of further competition to enhance the vibrancy of the mobile and wireless landscape in Singapore.

“A new MNO is expected to bring about increased investments in the infocomm sector, leading to more advanced technologies and improved service quality,” the IDA said.