New Zealand - Mobile Communications - Spectrum Background Report

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.

This background report provides information on the mobile spectrum and regulatory developments from the early 2000s to late 2008. This background report is not updated but our other report: New Zealand - Mobile Communications - Spectrum provides more up-to-date information.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Spectrum market and regulatory overview
  • 2.1 Management Rights Regime
  • 2.2 Impact of new technologies on spectrum usage
  • 2.3 Licensed versus unlicensed spectrum
• 3. The Radiocommunications Act 1989
• 4. Market developments in 2008
  • 4.1 Review of spectrum allocations for BWA
  • 4.2 Telecom looks to acquire wireless spectrum
  • 4.3 Renewal of rights to 800/900MHz cellular spectrum
  • 4.4 WiMAX licence owners concerned about spectrum cap
  • 4.5 3.5GHz spectrum for tender
• 5. Market developments in 2007
  • 5.1 Mobile spectrum auction
  • 5.2 Mobile spectrum rights up for renewal
  • 5.3 NZ Communications buys 850MHz spectrum
• 6. Market developments in 2006
  • 6.1 Mobile spectrum review
  • 6.2 Expansion of spectrum allocation for wBA
    • 6.2.1 Introduction
    • 6.2.2 Plans for 2.3GHz and 2.5GHz spectrum auction
    • 6.2.3 Applications open for NZ 3.5GHz spectrum
• 7. Market developments in 2005
  • 7.1 Ultra-Wideband technology opportunities
  • 7.2 Spectrum discussions with Telecom and Vodafone
• 8. Market developments in 2004
  • 8.1 Allocation plan for wireless broadband spectrum
  • 8.2 Satellite opportunities
  • 8.3 Policy released for expiry of spectrum rights
• 9. Market developments in 2003
  • 9.1 Spectrum renewal rights
  • 9.2 More spectrum available
  • 9.3 Mobile satellite
• 10. Spectrum auctions
  • 10.1 Introduction
  • 10.2 Spectrum auctions in 2004
  • 10.3 Spectrum auctions in 2003
  • 10.4 Changes to auction rules in 2002
  • 10.5 Spectrum auctions in 2001
• 11. Unlicensed spectrum
• 12. Spectrum trading
• 13. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
  • 13.1 Overview
  • 13.2 Retailer explores implementation of RFID
• 14. Related reports

• Exhibit 2 – Key rule changes to July 2002 spectrum auction
• Exhibit 3 - Interesting spectrum developments