The (i) mmWave and (ii) 3.5 GHz Spectrum Rights were auctioned through the 5G Call for Proposal (CFP).
The CFP applicants had to submit detailed proposals based on the following criteria: network design and resilience (40%), network roll-out and performance (35%), price offered for one lot of 3.5 GHz band (15%) and financial capability (10%). The weight for the criteria reflects their relative importance according to IMDA’s 5G policy outcomes.
For the full networks, operators must exceed a base price of SGD 55m (plus an annual usage fee of SGD 154,000) for 100 MHz in the 3.5 GHz spectrum. They will need their standalone networks to reach at least 50% coverage by 2023. The two selected MNOs will also be required to deploy the 3.5 GHz spectrum band on a standalone basis (not using existing 4G infrastructure) to harness 5G capabilities such as network slicing, ultra-reliable low latency communications, and massive machine type communications.
The mmWave networks will attract an annual fee of SGD 1.23m for 800 MHz in the 26 GHz and 28 GHz bands. The MNOs will be able to deploy the mmWave spectrum on a non-standalone basis, by leveraging their existing 4G infrastructure to deliver localised 5G services focusing mainly on higher broadband speeds.
IMDA will also require deployment of 5G standalone networks over the 3.5 GHz band from the outset. MNOs that wish to deploy non-standalone networks in the 3.5 GHz band, over and above their standalone networks, must seek IMDA’s prior approval. MNOs must ensure that their non-standalone deployments will not compromise IMDA’s policy outcome of achieving two 5G standalone networks and capabilities within the stipulated timeframes. As the roadmap for the mmWave standalone equipment ecosystem is still in its early stages, IMDA will allow MNOs the flexibility to choose standalone or non-standalone deployment for the mmWave band in the interim. MNOs that choose to deploy non-standalone networks must deploy standalone networks within 24 months from when the ecosystem is ready.
In relation to the 2.1 GHz Spectrum Rights, applicants had to submit a Pre-Auction Submission by 27 October 2021 that included details on applicant’s proposed 5G system and services to be deployed, business and financial proposal, a disclosure list setting out all persons (including individuals and corporations) to whom confidential information has been disclosed or will or may be disclosed by the applicant. The IMDA will then review the Pre-Auction Submissions and announce the bidders that are pre-qualified to participate in the auction.
Such pre-qualified bidders may then submit an initial offer setting out the number of Spectrum Lots (of up to five) that the bidder is submitting for the initial offer, whether it is exercising its First Right of Refusal, and a bank guarantee.
Social Media cookies collect information about you sharing information from our website via social media tools, or analytics to understand your browsing between social media tools or our Social Media campaigns and our own websites. We do this to optimise the mix of channels to provide you with our content. Details concerning the tools in use are in our privacy policy.