Government calls for comment on new spectrum sell-off

The communications watchdog has released a discussion paper following the federal government's $1 billion spectrum sell-off that will lay down the structure and cost of new real estate in the 2.5Ghz spectrum band.

The spectrum, currently used by free-to-air broadcasters and electronic news gatherers (ENGs), will demand more efficiency from spectrum users such as ENGs and telcos, and provide wireless operators with the means to build fast metropolitan networks, according to the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA).

ACMA chairman Chris Chapman said the review will squeeze the most value out of the spectrum.

“We need to identify suitable long-term spectrum arrangements to support the essential ENG services, especially since there has been uncertainty about the long-term spectrum arrangements for ENG services,” Chapman said in a written statement.

“The 2.5 GHz band has also been identified through previous public consultation as a candidate band to address emerging demand for broadband wireless access services. Indeed, it is the primary, internationally harmonised band for these services."

The government will separately sell-off a 126MHz portion of solid UHF spectrum after the migration to digital television which will make more efficient use from the available spectrum.

Submissions to the discussion paper will close March 12 2010.

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