SingTel had called on IDA to issue the spectrum by administrative allocation, but at the time IDA had refused, arguing that doing so would “provide the wrong incentives” for the use of such scarce resources.
It is the second time the IDA has failed in an attempt to auction 3G spectrum. At its first attempt in 2001, it also attracted bids from the incumbents, who bought spectrum for the S$100 million reserve price.
At the time, IDA had been prepared to issue up to four 3G licenses, and the unallocated spectrum from the 2001 auction is what's being sold off today.
IDA has specified that winners of the auction will be granted use of the spectrum for ten years, and must have networks using the frequencies operational within 12 months.
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