To increase Singapore's broadband offerings and enhance competition in the broadband market here, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has today released licensing details for wireless broadband ...
Singapore, 25 February 2005 | For Immediate Release
IDA Releases Details for Wireless Broadband Spectrum Rights
To increase Singapore's broadband offerings and enhance competition in the broadband market here, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has today released licensing details for wireless broadband access (WBA)1 in the 2.3 GHz and 2.5 GHz frequency bands. IDA had earlier earmarked these two frequency bands for WBA trials and commercial deployment in Singapore2.
IDA wants to facilitate the introduction of more and new broadband infrastructure players and technologies here by making spectrum open for allocation. All of the 140 MHz of WBA bandwidth will be allocated. This will be divided into 25 lots to be allocated to successful applicants.
Should the demand for spectrum be more than the available lots, IDA will adopt the auction method to allocate spectrum for WBA. This is due to the fact that spectrum is a scarce and finite resource. The open and market-driven auction method is the most transparent, fair and efficient way to allocate spectrum to those who value it most.
If an auction proceeds, each bidder will be allowed to bid for a maximum of 6 lots, deemed sufficient for nation-wide roll-out of WBA in Singapore. The SingTel Group and StarHub Group, as existing broadband providers with an already extensive infrastructure reach in Singapore, will be subject to a lower cap on the number of lots they can bid for i.e. 4 lots. This cap is sufficient to complement their existing infrastructures with WBA technologies, if they wish to do so.
In line with IDA's approach of lowering barriers to entry for the wireless broadband market, the spectrum will be put up for auction at a minimum one-off starting bid of S$1,000 per lot. Like other wireless licensees, they will be subject to the standard annual spectrum management fee, in this case, of about S$13,000 per lot and an annual licence fee. For more details of the spectrum fees, rights and rollout requirements, please refer to the annex of this media release.
Mr Leong Keng Thai, IDA's Director-General (Telecoms), said, "The framework is set to further invigorate competition in the local broadband market and encourage greater broadband offerings and options here for businesses and consumers. We hope that this, in turn, will lower broadband access prices and complement other existing high-speed connectivity options."
IDA welcomes interested persons to bid for lots in the 2.3 GHz and 2.5 GHz bands. The indicative allocation schedule can be found in the annex of this media release. For more details of the WBA spectrum and finalised auction rules, please refer to the IDA website (https://www.imda.gov.sg/) under the Policy & Regulation webpage under the "Wireless Broadband Spectrum Rights Auction" section. IDA's WBA spectrum allocation framework can also be found under the "Consultation Papers" section of the same Policy & Regulation webpage.
ISSUED BY CORPORATE & MARKETING COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Notes to Editor:
1 A WBA network, typically operating at frequency bands under 6 GHz, provides high-speed communication services, to both mobile users and fixed locations. Each base station generally serves an area of up to several square kilometres. Examples of such wireless broadband systems are those based on the IEEE 802.16 and IEEE 802.20 standards.
2 IDA announced this is on 23 February 2004. This was then followed by a public consultation issued on 2 April 2004, inviting comments and feedback on wireless broadband issues such as spectrum allocation, licensing framework and the use of 3G frequency bands for wireless broadband technologies. In July 2004, IDA then introduced the Market Trial framework to enable companies to test out various innovative business models and new technologies like wireless broadband.
Supplementary Information:
Please refer to the IDA Media Portal at https://www.imda.gov.sg/ for a brief introduction to Wireless Broadband and an Overview of Spectrum Management in Singapore. A quick overview of the available WBA Technologies Today can also be found on the IDA website.
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is committed to growing Singapore into a dynamic global infocomm hub. IDA uses an integrated approach to developing infocommunications in Singapore. This involves nurturing a competitive telecoms market as well as a conducive business environment with programmes and schemes for both local and international companies. For more information, visit https://www.imda.gov.sg/
For media clarification, please contact:
Ms Noraizah Zainal Abidin
Assistant Manager, Corporate & Marketing Communication
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
Fax: +65 6211-2227
Email: noraizah@imda.gov.sg
| Attachment | |
|---|---|
| Title | Date of Issue |
| Wireless Broadband Access (WBA) Spectrum Allocation Framework (35.08KB) | 25 February 2005 |
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