Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) has announced details for the auction of five FM sound broadcasting spectrum licences following the recent expression of interest (EOI) process.

Auction 14 will be managed by Turners with the licences sold on the Trade Me website.  It will start on 3 November 2017 and run for seven days until 10 November 2017.

The tenure of the licences is until 2 April 2031 subject to licensees meeting implementation requirements.

A list of licences to be auctioned, their reserve prices and the full terms and conditions of auction are available on the RSM website.

Radio Spectrum Management is thinking about spectrum for the next generation of mobile network, namely “5G”. As the next step, we will be holding industry workshops to discuss views on 5G requirements, possible 5G applications and 5G spectrum demands in New Zealand. These discussions will inform the development of a New Zealand 5G Spectrum Roadmap and development of government policy on 5G. Formal consultation on the Roadmap will be held towards the end of this year.

These workshops will run in the morning of:

• 25 October 2017 in Wellington (MBIE, 15 Stout Street)
• 27 October 2017 in Auckland (MBIE, 45 Queen Street)
• 31 October 2017 in Christchurch (Commodore Hotel, 449 Memorial Ave)

We may run additional sessions in the afternoon of these days if the level of interest in the workshops at the respective location(s) is high.

If you would like to attend a workshop, register online before 18 October 2017.

The new, simplified radio spectrum fee regime took effect from 1 October 2017.

Licensees will find they have been automatically moved into one of the four new fee categories with the changes reflected on invoices and in the Register of Radio Frequencies.

View the new fee categories.

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

Parties interested in utilising this spectrum are able to apply for access on a first-come, first-served basis, but with sharing processes required to be negotiated by applicants.

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

• Amuri Net Ltd, for licences with coverage in parts of the Waimakariri, and Hurunui District TLA areas; and
• Ultimate Mobile Ltd, for licences with additional coverage in parts of the Selwyn District, Christchurch City, Ashburton, Timaru, Mackenzie, Waimate and Waitaki District Council TLA areas.

Read more about these applications for managed spectrum park licences in Notice 52.

View the notification of applications for Managed Spectrum Park licences.