Just received the below email from ACMA regarding the 3.5ghz band..
Outcome of consultation on future arrangements in the 3.5 GHz band
I am writing to advise you of the outcome of the recent consultation process on potential
future licensing arrangements in the 3400-3600 MHz frequency range ('the 3.5 GHz
band'), which included release of the discussion paper 'Transitioning the 3.5 GHz band
for future opportunities' ('the discussion paper'). I would like to take this opportunity to
thank you for providing a submission in response to matters raised in the discussion
paper.
Following consideration of submissions to the discussion paper, and several other
issues that are discussed in this letter, the Australian Communications and Media
Authority ('the ACMA') has decided to retain the existing mix of apparatus and spectrum
licensing arrangements in the 3.5 GHz band. The current embargoes will also remain in
place, at least in the short term, although we intend to review those arrangements as
use of the band develops.
As explained in the consultation paper, the ACMA initially considered that extending
apparatus licensing throughout the 3.5 GHz band might be the most appropriate
mechanism to increase the regulatory flexibility applying to the band. We considered
there was a lack of certainty about future uses of the band. Flexible regulatory
arrangements were therefore desirable because they would facilitate a future review of
planning and licensing arrangements when there was more certainty about long-term
high-value uses of the band.
Following consideration of submissions to the discussion paper, however, the ACMA no
longer considers that increasing the extent of apparatus licensing is appropriate.
Submissions
The ACMA received 24 submissions to the discussion paper. Copies of submissions are
available on the ACMA's website.1
1 Submissions are at
http://www.acma.gov.au/theACMA/making-t ... the-3dot5-
qhz-band-in-future.
communicating I facilitating I regulating Page 1 of 3
Of those submissions that commented on apparatus and spectrum licensing
arrangements, a number supported a change in arrangements in the 3.5 GHz band.
Other submissions, however, supported retention of existing arrangements. Some
submissions also supported any licensing arrangements which would facilitate the
deployment of TD-LTE (Time Division — Long Term Evolution). These submissions
tended to consider that licences which covered large geographic areas and had long
tenures would be most likely to encourage operators to invest capital in network
deployment.
Australian
Communications
and Media Authority
http://www.acma.gov.au
One spectrum licensee also noted that the 3.4 GHz band is included in the
Radiocommunications (Class of Services) Determination 2012 ('the COS
Determination').2 In the COS Determination, the Minister for Communications
determined that the reissue of spectrum licences used to provide wireless broadband
services in the 3.4 GHz band to the same licensees would be in the public interest. In
the absence of support from all affected spectrum licensees, the ACMA does not
consider that it would be appropriate to recommend to the Minister that he amend the
COS Determination.
Other matters affecting the 3.5 GHz band
In addition to a lack of consensus on the best way forward for the band in submissions
received, since the release of the discussion paper there have been some
developments relevant to the 3.5 GHz band. These developments have influenced the
ACMA's views on preferred future arrangements in the band.
The most significant of these developments has been the making of the Australian
Communications and Media Authority (3.5 GHz frequency band) Direction 2014 ('the
Direction').3 The Direction relates to the use of spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band to address
the spectrum gap for the National Broadband Network's ('NBN') fixed wireless access
network around major mainland cities. The Direction requires the ACMA to complete, by
30 April 2015, all steps necessary to enable apparatus licences of a type which would
be appropriate for use for the NBN to be issued in the frequency ranges 3400-3425 MHz
and 3492.5-3542.5 MHz. This spectrum is currently subject to embargo.
Another factor reducing the benefits of replanning the band is the increasing likelihood
that TD-LTE will be the preferred International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT) system
deployed in the band. The ACMA has already commenced working with interested
stakeholders in a Technical Liaison Group ('TLG') to identify changes that will need to
be made to the technical frameworks which underpin the 3.4 GHz band spectrum
licences. Consistent with views raised in submissions to the discussion paper, the TLG
supports the technical framework being optimised for TD-LTE. This is likely to mitigate
the inefficiencies associated with the 50 MHz duplex split spectrum licences that were
noted in the discussion paper.
Next steps
In line with the ACMA's decision to maintain existing licensing arrangements in the
band, the ACMA will soon commence reissue considerations for the 3.4 GHz spectrum
licences, which expire on 13 December 2015.
2 The COS Determination is available at
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/details/f2012100235.
3 The Direction is available at:
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2014L01399.
Page 2 of 3
In addition, the ACMA expects to shortly commence consultation on a proposal to
recommend to the Minister that he designate for spectrum licensing the "lapsed"
sections of the 3.4 GHz band.4 This is the process that has been undertaken in other
spectrum licensed bands.5 It will enable a future price-based allocation of any spectrum
that is not reissued — for example, because a licensee does not seek reissue — and the
"lapsed" spectrum if it is designated.
Australian
Communications
and Media Authority
http://www.acma.gov.au
Once again, thank you for your submission to the ACMA's consultation process on the
arrangements in the 3.5 GHz band.
Yours sincerely
Spectrum Management Policy Branch
4
Given the total number of hams in VK is around 19,500, that to my mind, is a rather dismal showing. One can only wonder what the result would have been if there had been 1240 submissions?
but the fact is that the ACMA would not be interested in how may are "active, they would have looked at the number of licenses issued compared with number of responses and the only conclusion they could come to from that is that this is not a big issue for hams.
