5G spectrum auction moves a step closer


Wednesday, 11 July, 2018


5G spectrum auction moves a step closer

The federal government has announced competition limits for telcos seeking to bid for 5G spectrum in the 3.6 GHz band.

The ACMA is preparing to auction 125 MHz of available spectrum in the 3.6 GHz band later this year.

“The next generation of mobile services, 5G, will deliver significantly faster mobile data speeds and allow for millions of new devices to connect,” said the Minister for Communications, Mitch Fifield.

“The 3.6 GHz band is recognised internationally as a key band for telcos to roll out new 5G networks.”

The Minister has directed the ACMA to impose allocation limits of 60 MHz in metropolitan areas and 80 MHz in regional areas.

The limits account for existing spectrum holdings in the broader 3400–3700 MHz band, meaning that carriers which already have significant holdings in this band would be limited in the amount of new spectrum they could bid for, or may not be able to participate in the auction.

The limits will allow for a competitive auction process while preventing any one bidder from acquiring an amount of spectrum which could preclude other telcos from rolling out 5G networks.

The limits were set following careful consideration of advice from the ACCC, which consulted with relevant parties.

“Australians have a voracious appetite for mobile data, and our competitive telecommunications market means that Australians already enjoy some of the fastest mobile broadband speeds in the world,” he added.

“These auction limits promote competition in the telecommunications industry while ensuring this scarce spectrum is put to its highest-value use.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/R. Roth

Please follow us and share on Twitter and Facebook. You can also subscribe for FREE to our weekly newsletter and bimonthly magazine.

Related Articles

The new wildfire reality: mapping a response

Firefighter-turned-researcher Chris Dunn is helping pioneer data-driven solutions to tackle...

ARCIA update: LMR is not dead yet

Be it mining, rail, public safety, transport or utilities, everyone is embracing new technology...

Towards 1 Tbps throughput using sub-terahertz bands

In order to enable the near-instantaneous communication promised by 6G, ultrahigh data speeds...


  • All content Copyright © 2024 Westwick-Farrow Pty Ltd