MyRepublic CEO claims 13,000 sign up to trial 4G service

In an interview with online portal e27, the chief executive officer of Singapore’s would-be fourth operator MyRepublic, Malcolm Rodrigues, said that around 13,000 people signed up to trial its pilot 4G service in the first few days after its launch, as it looks to secure the country’s fourth mobile licence – if and when the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) makes it available. Rodrigues says that his company is targeting specific frequencies in its bid, and has established a business model that calls for investment of USD200 million to USD250 million to build out the new network. ‘We have asked for a very specific spectrum. We have asked for terms and conditions be put in place that will allow us to actually operate and become profitable,’ he confirmed, adding: ‘The IDA has heard us; we have met with them many times and I think they will put something in place that makes sense to us and we will go after it aggressively. We are in the process of raising money for the bid and we should have it done by the end of summer. We expect a framework from the government to be out this May or June and we think the spectrum auction will take place in December or January ²⁰¹⁶. It takes a few months to award so we think by the middle of next year, we will know for sure.’