ACMA proposes to extend 2.3 GHz band with 2 MHz

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is proposing to have the 2300–2302 MHz band declared for allocation via the issue of spectrum licences. This will enable the extension of the already spectrum-licensed 2302–2400 MHz band (the 2.3 GHz band) from 98 MHz to 100 MHz of bandwidth.

This increase would better enable the deployment of next-generation technologies such as Wimax and TD-LTE, which typically operate using multiples of 5 MHz channels. The spectrum licences in the 2.3 GHz band will expire on 24 July 2015, and the regulator is currently reviewing the technical and regulatory arrangements for this band in the context of its expiring spectrum licence project.

The spectrum licences in the 2.3 GHz band will expire on 24 July 2015, and the ACMA is currently reviewing the technical and regulatory arrangements for this band in the context of its expiring spectrum licence project. The ACMA commenced its Technical Liaison Group (TLG) process for the 2.3 GHz band in October 2012 and is working with incumbent licensees and other interested stakeholders to review the technical framework to ensure its effectiveness across the next 15-year spectrum-licensed period.

The Radiocommunications Act 1992 requires the ACMA to undertake a number of necessary legislative steps before making a recommendation to the minister. One of these steps is to prepare and publish a written notice stating that a draft version of the recommendation is available for comment by potentially affected apparatus licensees, and identify the terms that are set out in the draft recommendation. If a potentially affected apparatus licensee provides comments to the ACMA, it must consider those comments in preparing its final recommendation to the minister.

The ACMA has prepared a consultation paper that explains the reasons for the proposal and sets out the terms for the proposed recommendation to the minister. This paper is intended to help affected apparatus licensees and other interested stakeholders make a submission.