Singapore's latest 4G auction has concluded, with the nation's three mobile operators securing spectrum at reserve prices.
IDA Singapore revealed it had auctioned off 270 MHz worth of 1800-MHz and 2.5-GHz spectrum for a total of S$360 million ($283.4 million).
While the regulator had been encouraging any perspective new market entrants to bid, and had set aside a 40 MHz block in the event that a newcomer did emerge, only the incumbents participated.
SingTel was the biggest spender, bidding S$136 million for 100-MHz of the LTE spectrum. StarHub secured 90-MHz with a S120 million bid, while M1 will pay S$104 million for 80 MHz.
The new spectrum rights will come into effect in 2015 for the 2.5-GHz spectrum, and 2017 for the 1800-MHz.
As a condition of allocation, Singapore's mobile operators will need to provide nationwide 4G street-level coverage by June 2016. They must also extend coverage to underground mass transit stations and lines as well as road tunnels by June 2018.
M1 last week separately handed Huawei a contract worth up to S$11 million ($8.7 million) to expand and upgrade the operator's 2100-MHz 3G network. The company also recently committed to adding 900-MHz to its 3G network as well.