The Radiocommunications Regulations (General User Radio Licence for Short Range Devices) Notice was updated to include new provisions covering the frequency ranges 5250 – 7000 MHz, 8500 – 10000 MHz, 24050 – 26500 MHz and 75000 – 85000 MHz for radiodetermination transmitters operated within shielded enclosures.

This use is limited to tank level probing radars, in compliance with ETSI EN 302 372-1, where the installation must be inside the shielded enclosure and the signal leakage as measured at 3 metres outside this enclosure must not exceed the maximum power as prescribed in the new provisions.

The new version of this General User Radio Licence is available on the New Zealand Gazette website.

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

Most commercial and amateur licence users won’t need to do anything for the move to the new fee structure.  Licensees will automatically be moved into one of the four new fee categories and will see this change reflected on invoices and in the Register of Radio Frequencies.

A letter was sent in August, to those land mobile licensees holding multiple transmitter location licences to confirm which fee class will apply to their licence.

Read more about the new fee structure and frequently asked questions for licence users.

Management rights and spectrum licences in Crown management rights 3.5 GHz band will expire in October 2022.  This band is anticipated to be one of the main bands for early deployment of 5G services.

Currently there is limited use of the band.  Radio Spectrum Management has attempted to work with existing rights holders to reconfigure the band to make it more useable.  Unfortunately, a consensus on re-planning the band could not be reached.

The Minister for Communications has decided not to make renewal offers to management rights holders and licensees in the 3.5 GHz band and to continue the current moratorium on issuing new spectrum licences in the Crown management rights in the band.  This will allow full re-planning of the band to occur.

Consultation with industry on future uses for the 3.5 GHz band, its configuration and allocation will start in October 2017.

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:

• Enhanced Solutions Ltd, for licences with coverage in parts of the Otorohanga, Waitomo, Ruapehu, Rangitikei, Taupo, and Stratford District TLA areas.

Read more about these applications for managed spectrum park licences in Notice 51.