HK Sunday In Talks With Partners On Singapore 3G License

date: 09th March 2001

Hong Kong's mobile phone operator Sunday Com. said Friday it is in discussions with partners on its planned bid for a 3G wireless license in Singapore, following a reduction in Singapore's 3G auction reserve price Thursday.

Sunday declined to reveal who its partners are, but said no decision has been reached at the moment.

Sunday's spokesman Mark Chan said the company's co-chairman Rick Siemens will outline its 3G strategy at its 2000 full-year results announcement March 15.

Chan said Siemens will likely give the company's decision on the Singapore 3G license then.

The Singapore government Thursday announced a S$50 million reduction in its 3G license reserve price to S$100 million.

"Market sentiment has weakened considerably, and there is greater uncertainty over the business case for 3G," said Minister for Communications and Information Technology Yeo Cheow Tong.

The government also said plans to roll out commercial 3G services will be delayed to December 2004 from December 2003 due to possible delays in the 3G network, and a lack of available handsets capable of handling 3G products.

At present, all three major telecommunications players in Singapore - Singapore Telecommunications, MobileOne and StarHub - have indicated they will bid for a 3G license at the auction that is scheduled to take place in April.

If one or no foreign players bid, the auction will become a straight sale at the reserve price.

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