How is StarHub preparing for the clash of telcos?

It gained a war chest of $300m through its medium-term note programme.

Bigger stakes are coming for the four telcos now, as they are set to participate in the general spectrum auction in the first quarter of 2017.

StarHub would not come to the battle unequipped, UOB KayHian analyst Jonathan Koh said. Back in May, StarHub has amassed a war chest after raising S$300m through its medium-term note programme.

"Its cash holding was S$432.6m as of September. Thus, we expect competition to intensify during the general spectrum auction," Koh said.

In an earlier interview with Singapore Business Review, StarHub said they will be joining the general spectrum auction scheduled in 1Q17 to further enhance their services.

“StarHub will continue to focus on providing customers with quality service and reliable network, and drive returns for shareholders. We look forward to participating in the upcoming auction to secure the spectrum we need so as to offer our customers more advanced mobile services,” a StarHub spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, the new kid on the block will also be eligible to enter the spectrum auction. Although TPG already secured a spectrum in the bidding war against MyRepublic, IMDA specifically states that TPG may also participate in the upcoming general auction that is mainly for the incumbents although caps are imposed to ensure no telco corners any specific frequency bands.

"The spectrum caps imposed on TPG are: 40MHz for 700MHz, 20MHz for 900MHz, and a total of 75MHz (global cap for both new entrant spectrum auction and general spectrum auction). This means TPG could bid for another 15MHz of spectrum from the 700MHz and 2500MHz frequency bands," Koh noted.

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