New Zealand - Mobile Communications - Spectrum Background Report - 2010

Synopsis

The allocation and licensing of radiocommunications in New Zealand is the responsibility of the Ministry of Economic Development under the provisions of the Radiocommunications Act 1989. Initially sold under a tender system, a process of Internet auctions was begun in 1996.

New technologies are impacting spectrum use and management and as such there is a general shift away from hard-wired voice and data services to various types of wireless delivery. Some of these wireless methods operate most effectively in public park spectrum.

This report provides some brief background information on the spectrum market in 2009 and 2010 and previews the changes to the 2575-2620MHz range that is being allocated within a Managed Spectrum Park process. The MSP process was reviewed by the MED in 2009 and the initial licences were allocated in late 2009. Stage 2 of the MSP allocation process commenced in late 2010 with allocations on a first-come allocation process.

This report is not updated anymore and is provided for reference purposes. More recent information is available from the BuddeComm site: www.budde.com.au

In our separate background reports we provide information from the early 2000s to late 2008, see separate report: New Zealand - Mobile Communications – Spectrum Background Report.

Companies mentioned

Companies mentioned in this report include – CallPlus, Hautaki Ltd, Telecom, TelstraClear and Vodafone, 2degrees.

Hot topics and technologies mentioned

Hot topics and technologies mentioned in this report include – Spectrum allocation, spectrum auctions.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Spectrum market and regulatory overview
  • 2.1 Background information
  • 2.2 Management Rights Regime
  • 2.3 Impact of new technologies on spectrum usage
  • 2.4 Licensed versus unlicensed spectrum
• 3. The Radiocommunications Act 1989
  • 3.1 Overview
• 4. Managed Spectrum Parks (MSP)
• 5. Market developments – 2010
  • 5.1 Managed Spectrum Parks – Round 2
  • 5.2 3G Spectrum reviewed
  • 5.3 Spectrum allocated – radio ID tags and smart metering networks
• 6. Market developments – 2009
  • 6.1 Managed Spectrum Parks – Round 1
    • 6.1.1 Overview
    • 6.1.2 Spectrum allocation
  • 6.2 Digital Switchover (DSO)
  • 6.3 800MHz and 900MHz bands renewed
• 7. Spectrum auctions
  • 7.1 Introduction
• 8. Unlicensed spectrum
• 9. Background report
• 10. Related reports

• Exhibit 1 – Managed Spectrum Park Round 1 applicants versus allocations by TLA areas