The Ministry has published a report on white space spectrum availability on the Radio Spectrum website.  The spectrum availability study has confirmed that there is white space spectrum available in the UHF TV band, particularly in rural New Zealand.  Based on the current usage of the UHF TV band, there is at least 16 MHz and 24 MHz of contiguous white space spectrum in the North Island and South Island respectively.

Due to the favourable propagation characteristics and low usage cost, white space spectrum can be useful in providing coverage to remote areas that otherwise might not get coverage from other communication services. We would be happy to talk to interested parties with a white space commercial proposal about how their spectrum needs could be met.

See the white space spectrum availability report on our website.

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The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is responsible for regulating electrical and electronic devices, vehicles and devices with internal combustion engines under the Radiocommunications Act 1989.

This regime covers aspects of devices related to their radiocommunications and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) functions, imposing obligations on suppliers, including the requirement to comply with technical standards, maintain records and apply a label (compliance mark) to the device.

Under new labelling arrangements, the three existing compliance marks (C-Tick, RCM and A-Tick (Australia)) are being consolidated into a single compliance mark—the RCM.

These changes are coming into effect on 01 March 2013 to align with the proposed commencement date for the Electrical Regulatory Authorities Council (ERAC) Electrical Equipment Safety System (EESS).  The Radiocomunications (Compliance) Notice has been updated to reflect the change.

View the Radiocommunications (Compliance) Notice 2013

Read more:

• Further information about the RCM mark transition
• FAQs on the new labelling arrangements

If you have questions about the new arrangements, please contact info@rsm.govt.nz.

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The Ministry is consulting external stakeholders on updating the minimum field strength levels for AM and FM radio reception, along with Digital and Analogue Television services.

Submissions are open to 15 March 2013 and further information on the proposed changes can be found on our website.

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A recent case of a very low level of interference was affecting the maritime VHF distress and calling channel 16 at the Maritime New Zealand’s Wairarapa and Picton sites. 

The investigation into the interference took seven days to locate and resolve and involved contacting ships and shore stations on the Wairarapa coast, as well as both ground and helicopter searches. However, no interference was detected in the Wairarapa area.

Eventually a very low level signal was detected, and direction finding indicated it was from a broadcast transmission site 120km from the affected Wairarapa site and 185km from the Picton site.

A visit to the broadcast transmission site was arranged and the low level interference source was traced to a high power television transmitter. The cause of the interference was an open inspection panel which had been left open for maintenance purposes.

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Applications have been received for access to radio spectrum 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 required to be gone through.

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

• KiwiMax Ltd for licences with coverage in the Kapiti, Horowhenua, and  Thames-Coromandel District Council TLA areas, and the Auckland Council TLA area.

Read more information relating to these applications in Notice 21 on the managed spectrum park section of our website.

• Netsmart Ltd for licences with coverage in the Raglan sector and the Puketionga north sector in the Waikato District Council TLA area, the Port Waikato sector in the Auckland (old Franklin) Council TLA area, and the Sanatorium Hill south facing/southern sector in the Hamilton and Waipa District Council TLA areas.

Read more information relating to these applications in Notice 22 on the managed spectrum park section of our website.

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Radio Spectrum Management is now part of the Resources, Energy and Communications Branch in the Infrastructure and Resource Group of the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment following a recent restructure.

Bruce Parkes is the General Manager of the Resources, Energy and Communications Branch with his Radio Spectrum management team of Len Starling (Policy and Planning Manager), Jeff Hicks (Licensing Manager), and Chris Brennan (Compliance Manager).

Radio Spectrum continues to focus on ensuring that our policy and planning processes, as well as our administration of the national Register of Radio Frequencies, licensing, compliance and enforcement, and radio frequency interference (RFI) investigation, are fast, simple and effective, and maximise the use of on-line services wherever possible.

Sanjai Raj has moved on within the Ministry to become the General Manager Occupation Regulation. Radio Spectrum Management acknowledges the leadership of Sanjai and extends its best wishes as he takes up a new role.

Sanjai Raj managed the Radio Spectrum Management group for ten years and oversaw the introduction of SMART, the on-line Register of Radio frequencies in December 2005.  This initiative allowed RSM to introduce on-line applications, certification and licence issuing – a world first.  He also introduced independent engineering and certification of spectrum and radio licences from anywhere in the world.

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