In June 2016, the government issued a direction to RSM that no new, long term licences were to be issued in the bands 806 MHz – 824 MHz and 851 MHz – 869 MHz (the TS and TX land mobile bands), while those bands were being considered for use by a new emergency services network.

That consideration is now complete and we have been advised that the emergency services are pursuing other options to fulfil their communications needs.  As the band is no longer being considered for emergency communications use, the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media has agreed that the moratorium on new licensing can be lifted.  This is effective immediately.

Read about Statements of Government policy and directions

RSM has received applications for the following FM sound broadcasting licences:

• Mt Hutt (Ashburton) 105.3 MHz, licence ID, 201385, reserve price: $1,451.36 incl. GST.
• Lyttelton (Christchurch) 104.5 MHz, licence ID 201386, reserve price: $3,251.87 incl. GST.

We invite expressions of interest in these licences. The closing date for EIO’s is 5pm on 17 January 2019. A decision will then be made to allocate the licences by direct sale or a competitive allocation process.

Read more about the expressions of interest process.

We have received applications for radio spectrum licences in the 2.5 GHz Managed Spectrum Park band.  Potential uses for this spectrum include wireless broadband services.

Since November 2010, parties interested in utilising this spectrum have been able to apply for access on a first-come first-served basis, but with sharing processes needs to be negotiated by applicants.

Applications have been received by the Crown Spectrum Asset Manager from:

• WIZwireless Limited, for licences with coverage in parts of the South Wairarapa District and Carterton District  TLA areas.

• Lightwire Limited, for licences with coverage in parts of the South Waikato District and Rotorua District TLA areas.

Read about this application in Notice 59.

We recently published a new issue of Fixed Service bands in New Zealand (PIB 22). 

PIB 22 has been updated to reflect changes in availability in spectrum for Studio to Transmitter Links at 900 MHz rules and in 18 GHz for fixed links alongside satellite operations.

PIB 22 - Fixed service bands in New Zealand issue 10.1