NCC Launches the 2500 MHz and 2600 MHz Auction in 2015
National Communications Commission (NCC) announces that the auction of 190 MHz of spectrum for 4G services in the 2500 MHz and 2600 MHz bands will be held beginning from Tuesday, November 17, 2015.
This auction follows the previous release of spectrum for 4G (in the 700 MHz, 900 MHz, and 1800 MHz bands), which took place in 2013 and raised USD3.7 billion revenue.
In contrast to the previous auction, which was conducted on site, the NCC will facilitate bidding to be undertaken online, allowing for a more user-friendly and comfortable bidding environment, as well as saving manpower and operating costs of the bidding process.
In order to ensure the smoothness of the process, the online system adopts advance measures to confirm the identities of bidders, non-repudiation, and complete information security. A total of five enterprises will be participating in the bidding; please refer to tables below for the applicant list and the reserve prices of each band.
In line with the global trend when auctioning spectrum, the NCC uses the Simultaneous Multiple Round Ascending Auction format (SMRA) and adopts the principle of technological neutrality, allowing bidders to freely choose either TDD or FDD. The NCC will deal with frequency interference problem according to relevant regulations, e.g. Telecommunications Act. Telecom operators may also undertake their own measures to avoid interference, such as conducting negotiations, maintaining a guard band, or using lower power.
Moreover, in response to the rapid development of the digital convergence and innovative business model, the NCC amends the Regulations for Administration of Mobile Broadband Business and the Regulations for Wireless Broadband Access, emphasizing regulatory flexibility and market competition. Certain issues have been clarified such as the easing of restrictions on the aggregation of direct and indirect shareholding in telecom enterprises, and procedures for the transfer of spectrum, mergers, and acquisitions.
Eligible Bidders for 4G in Taiwan
- Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd
- Taiwan Mobile Co., Ltd.,
- Taiwan Star Cellular Co.
- Asia Pacific Telecom Co.,
- Far Eastone Telecommunications(FET) Co., Ltd.
Paired Block of 2500 MHz and 2600 MHz bands
|
Band
|
Frequency
|
Reserve Price
|
|
D1
|
2500 MHz~2520 MHz;
2620 MHz~2640 MHz;
(2×20 MHz)
|
NT$3.5 billion (US$109.38 million)
|
|
D2
|
2520 MHz~2540 MHz;
2640 MHz~2660 MHz;
(2×20 MHz)
|
NT$3.7 billion (US$115.62 million)
|
|
D3
|
2540 MHz~2560 MHz;
2660 MHz~2680 MHz;
(2×20 MHz)
|
NT$3.7 billion (US$115.62 million)
|
|
D4
|
2560 MHz~2570 MHz;
2680 MHz~2690 MHz;
(2×10 MHz)
|
NT$1.9 billion (US$59.38 million)
|
Unpaired Block of 2500 MHz and 2600 MHz bands
|
Band
|
Frequency
|
Reserve Price
|
|
D5
|
2570 MHz~2595 MHz;
(2570 MHz -2575 MHz as guard band)
(single frequency block 25 MHz)
|
NT$0.9 billion (US$28.13 million)
|
|
D6
|
2595 MHz~2620 MHz;
(2615 MHz -2620 MHz as guard band)
(single frequency block 25 MHz)
|
NT$0.7 billion (US$21.88 million)
|
