ACMA reviews mobile broadband

The first paper in the review of the radiofrequency spectrum between 1427.9 and 1510.9 MHz (the 1.5 GHz mobile band) has been released by the ACMA. ‘Planning for mobile broadband within the 1.5 GHz mobile band’ investigates the potential use of the band for mobile broadband services.

This band was previously identified by the ACMA as one of a number of candidate bands for mobile broadband services in its earlier discussion paper, ‘Towards 2020: Future spectrum requirements for mobile broadband’.

The paper details drivers for reviewing the 1.5 GHz mobile band and some preliminary options for future arrangements. The primary goal of the paper is to gather views and information from industry to inform the next stage of the review, where more detailed proposals will be developed.

Due to current planning arrangements, the mobile band is heavily used in remote and regional areas, but only lightly in metropolitan areas and major population centres and where usage is dominated by one licensee.

The relatively low usage of the band - especially in areas where there is high demand for mobile broadband services - and nascent moves to standardise the band internationally for mobile broadband services, mean it is timely to consider options for its replanning.

The paper’s release comes in the lead-up to RadComms2012, to be held at the Sofitel Melbourne from 6 to  7 June 2012.