The Australian Communications and Media Authority has published two papers that signal the regulator’s strategic intention to optimise use of spectrum for mobile broadband services. “Towards 2020—Future Spectrum Requirements for Mobile Broadband” considers requirements necessary for the long term spectrum needs of Australia’s mobile broadband industry. “The 900 MHz Band—Exploring New Opportunities” examines options to re-plan the band in order to improve its utility.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has released two papers signalling its intention to develop a future spectrum strategy that unlocks significant spectrum for mobile broadband and makes the best use of current and future technologies.

Towards 2020—Future spectrum requirements for mobile broadband, considers a broad range of issues intended to meet the longer term spectrum needs of the Australian mobile broadband , while the 900 MHz Band—Exploring new opportunities paper looks at options to replan that particular band to improve its utility.
‘The ACMA is keen to hear from stakeholders on a number of relevant issues, including whether greater spectral efficiency could be achieved by network operators in their existing spectrum holdings,’ said ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman.

Towards 2020—Future spectrum requirements for mobile broadband, considers a broad range of issues intended to meet the longer term spectrum needs of the Australian mobile broadband industry. It also provides detail on the existing mobile broadband environment in Australia and the ACMA’s ongoing analysis of the quantum of spectrum required to meet projected demand.

900 MHz Band—Exploring new opportunities looks at options to replan that band. This spectrum is used to support a number of services including major mobile telecommunications networks such as Telstra’s Next G network and Telstra, Optus and Vodafone’s GSM and 3G networks.

‘The review of the 900 MHz band is an exciting ACMA spectrum reform initiative, which will continue over what is likely to be a number of years,’ Mr Chapman said. ‘The aim of this review is to consider the current regulatory arrangements in the 900 MHz band to ensure they best embrace technological developments.

‘It’s an ideal opportunity for stakeholders to consider their needs and put forward their ideas for improvements to arrangements in this band.’
A useful synopsis of the Towards 2020 paper can be found on the ACMA’s Engage website. The closing date for submissions on the 900 MHz Band paper is 24 June and 1 July for the Towards 2020 paper.

The two papers have been released in the lead up to ACMA’s spectrum management conference, RadComms2011 on 26 & 27 May in Sydney. The mobile broadband project will feature as a topic for discussion at the conference and the ACMA is keen to facilitate discussion. Details are available at www.acma.gov.au/radcomms2011.

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact: Emma Rossi, Media Manager, on (02) 9334 7719, 0434 652 063 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The ACMA is Australia’s regulator for broadcasting, the internet, radiocommunications and telecommunications. The ACMA’s strategic intent is to make communications and media work in Australia’s public interest. For more information: www.acma.gov.au.