Playing on IoT, MyRepublic bids to be Singapore's new mobile operator

• Aims to build telco that runs on new economics
• Leonie Hill Capital joins as key strategic partner

TAPPING into Singapore’s Smart Nation ambitions and declaring that the country does not need “just another telco”, MyRepublic CEO, Malcolm Rodrigues is offering his next generation internet service provider (ISP) as the answer.
 
MyRepublic has announced that it has submitted its Expression of Interest (EOI) to the telecommunications regulator, formally expressing its bid to become the fourth mobile operator in Singapore.
 
Besides establishing the credentials and experience of the applicant, the EOI framework set out by IDA also asks interested bidders about the technologies, network and kinds of mobile services they intend to roll out.
 
Under the process established by IDA, the outcome of the new entrant spectrum auction is expected to be announced in October 2016.
 
With its belief that Singapore needs a new breed of telco to transform the industry, the goal for MyRepublic is to roll out a network that is "Pre-5G", one that is built to deliver better speeds, lower latency and seamless connectivity  –  designed to enable and support the emerging Internet of Things (IoT).
 
“It's not about cutting prices, we want to build a telco that runs on new economics, one that is built from the ground up for the Next Generation of mobile services," adds Malcolm.
 
Pre-5G: Building now for the future
"Looking at our existing IT capabilities and the synergies with our fixed business, we estimate we already have 80% of a mobile telco in place," said Malcolm. "It's a logical next step for us as an ISP to bring high-speed Internet to everyone, everywhere."
 
As detailed in its EOL, a key part of MyRepublic's planned Pre-5G rollout is Heterogeneous Network (HetNet) technologies, such as small cells and seamless wireless handover technologies. These same technologies were successfully field-tested by MyRepublic earlier this year in IDA's Jurong Lake Distinct HetNet Trial  –  the only new mobile operator aspirant to have done so.
 
In support of its mobility bid, MyRepublic has assembled a stable of strategic partners. All of MyRepublic’s existing cornerstone investors – Sunshine Network (the telecom investment arm affiliated with Smartfrens, a nationwide 4G operator in Indonesia), Brunei’s mobile operator DST as well as Xavier Niel, founder of France’s disruptive telco Free  –   have reinvested in support of the Singapore mobility project.
 
Joining as a key strategic partner to help with the mobility project is Singapore-based Leonie Hill Capital, one of the leading investors in the technology, media and telecom sectors.
 
“There aren’t many telcos emerging worldwide, and certainly none that are breaking new ground like MyRepublic is doing,” said Arun Kant, CEO of Leonie Hill Capital, “We believe in the MyRepublic vision. Not only is it an exciting one for consumers, it’s one with enormous potential across the region.”
 
"The opportunities in Singapore from mobile and data services are extremely exciting, and we're very proud to have such a group of industry experts and leaders share our vision," said Rodrigues, “With their support, we look to build and perfect the fixed-mobile converged model in Singapore before extending it into the region."
 
Purpose-built for the fastest Next Generation National Broadband Network (NBN) in 2011, MyRepublic has launched fibre broadband services in Singapore, New Zealand, Indonesia and soon Australia.