Lack of interest scuppers 3G auction plan

Singapore watchdog the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) has issued a statement saying it will award 3G spectrum to the country’s three main cellcos – SingTel, MobileOne and StarHub – after failing to find a fourth bidder to take part in a planned auction. The regulator, which first issued 3G frequencies in April 2001, had scheduled an auction for November of this year before the lack of interest became apparent. Each of the three cellcos will pay the reserve price of SGD20 million (USD15.2 million) for the spectrum.