M1 buys additional mobile frequencies to improve data surfing

Singaporean cellco M1 Limited (M1) has paid SGD21.69 million (USD17.21 million) for additional mobile spectrum to ensure its users receive improved internet browsing and clearer voice calls. The Strait Times reports that the sum paid was 54 times the reserve price of SGD400,000 set by the telecoms regulator, the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA). M1, which changed its name from MobileOne Ltd in April 2010 to reflect the company’s evolution from a pure mobile operator to an integrated services provider offering fixed and mobile voice and broadband services, beat off competition for the frequencies from rivals SingTel and StarHub in the week-long auction. The auction was for spectrum in the 1800MHz band, which had previously been used for voice services associated with older 2G technologies but can also provide high speed 3G or even fourth-generation (4G) data services.