Synopsis
Use of radio frequency spectrum is required to provide a diverse range of telephony services. Voice and data services are delivered via equipment based on a range of technological standards and utilising radio resources in a number of spectrum bands. Potential users of the spectrum have conflicting requirements and not all of these are always accommodated by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Greater spectral efficiency is likely in future due to digitalisation and improvements in technology, along with increased use of interference mitigation techniques to facilitate spectrum reuse. There are also an increasing number of services and users that require access to spectrum.
The Australian Government previously sought public comment on the benefits and costs of maximising what has become known as Australia’s ‘digital dividend’, the term used to describe the radio frequency spectrum made available as a result of the switchover to digital-only television, and in doing so has announced it will release a contiguous block of spectrum between 694MHz and 820MHz to be freed-up from switchover.
The government has established a target of 126MHz of contiguous ultra-high-frequency spectrum. The Australian Communications and Media Authority has flagged spectrum shortages and makes recommendations to secure extra bandwidth. Ultra-high-frequency spectrum block is expected to be available at the end of 2013. While other frequencies in the 700MHz and 2.5GHz frequencies ranges are to be reallocated across the 2014-2016 time frame.
In this report we provide an overview of information relating to the radio spectrum used to provide wireless and mobile telephony services in Australia. We also provide selected details of spectrum ownership and its usage by network operators, and give an overview of the regulatory authority and related developments with respect to services using radio spectrum based on GSM, WiMAX and Ultra-Wideband technologies. BuddeComm covers spectrum auctions and older developments in our other reports.
Key developments
Spectrum planning, sharing, re-farming, licensing.
Companied covered in this report include:
Telstra, Optus, AUSTAR, unwired, vividwireless, NBC Co, VHA.
