Australia
The Australian Communications Authority called for expressions of interest in its next round of spectrum auctions. In September, 165 megahertz in the 3.4 GHz radio-frequency band will be auctioned. The spectrum can be used for wireless local loop and broadband Internet. A total of 100 megahertz will be available across 14 metropolitan areas and towns, with the balance for five regional areas. Spectrum will be sold in lots of 3.5 and 4.5 megahertz.
Indonesia
Indonesia granted a principal license for national GSM 1800 MHz service to PT Indosat, the primary provider of international telecommunications services in Indonesia. The license will be valid for two years from the date of issuance to give Indosat time for construction and commercial preparation for provisioning of the national 1800 MHz service with minimum coverage of 10 percent of the national population.
Philippines
Fixed-line provider Digital Telecommunications Philippines (Digitel) was awarded a license to provide cellular services. Digitel said it received permission to construct, install, operate and maintain a cellular service, using either GSM or CDMA technology. The network is expected to be in full commercial operations within one year. The company expects to fund the US$250 million project through supplier credit and internal resources.
Existing operators had opposed the entry of a new player, but their appeals were turned down by courts.
Taiwan
Taiwan’s state-owned Chunghwa Telecom auctioned 3 percent of its shares at a minimum price of T$104 (US$3.36) per share. The sale is the first step in the company’s privatization. Chunghwa Telecom is 100-percent owned by the Taiwanese Ministry of Transportation and Communications and operates Taiwan’s largest mobile service. The government will release an additional 13 percent of the company’s shares in an initial public offering planned for October. It is also scheduled to sell 5 percent of its shares to company employees and 12 percent in American Depositary Receipts later this year.
