Radio Spectrum Business Update – February 2024

In this issue:

• RSM engagement in the ITU World Radiocommunications Conference 2023

• Licence crafting rules

RSM engagement in the ITU World Radiocommunications Conference 2023

RSM staff led the New Zealand delegation to the World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-23), held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates during November and December 2023.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) holds the conference every 4 years to revise the ITU Radio Regulations. These Regulations are an integral part of New Zealand’s Radio Spectrum Management regime, and are incorporated into the Radiocommunications Act 1989.

ITU Radio Regulations — ITU website

Radiocommunications Act 1989 — New Zealand Legislation

The WRC is the final decision making conference at the end of a 4-year study cycle. It follows the detailed technical and regulatory studies undertaken by the ITU-R.

The New Zealand delegation to the conference comprised members of:

• RSM
• NZDF
• the New Zealand private sector.

The conferences work from a fixed agenda. WRC-23 featured 31 agenda items with many extra sub-agenda items. Over 4 weeks, the New Zealand delegates debated and negotiated on key technical, regulatory and operational issues relating to:

• enabling more spectrum for mobile, satellite, aeronautical and maritime services
• space weather monitoring, and
• other services.

At the end of the 4 weeks the Final Acts were agreed by consensus and the ITU Radio Regulations will be updated.

Provisional Final Acts (WRC-23) — ITU website

WRC-23 has also agreed the agenda for WRC-27 which starts the next 4-year study cycle. The ITU-R study groups have already started studies and preparation work towards WRC-27.

 Above: The WRC-23 plenary session.

Licence crafting rules

Approved persons crafting and certifying a licence must comply with the rules established in the Public Information Brochures (PIBs). RSM will assess planned licences against the criteria defined within the applicable PIBs.

If you need a licence that does not meet the current rules, like a temporary mobile land repeater, you will need to request a dispensation by emailing: rsmlicensing@mbie.govt.nz.

Submissions that do not meet the published rules and do not have a dispensation, may be rejected and will cause more delays for applicants.