ACMA to re-plan part of the 2.5 GHz band

The ACMA is replanning part of the 2.5 GHz band to facilitate new uses such as wireless access services while retaining parts of the band used by current licensees for electronic news gathering.

A range of other bands will be made available to maintain ENG service delivery equivalence to that currently provided.

The outcome is consistent with the approach put forward in the ACMA’s discussion paper ‘Review of the 2.5 GHz (2500-2690 MHz) band and long-term arrangements for ENG’, released in January. The ACMA received 42 submissions to the discussion paper.

In its Response to Submissions paper, the organisation recognises that implementing new arrangements for the 2.5 GHz band and providing long-term certainty for ENG services will affect a range of very important sectors in the Australian economy.

The sectors include television broadcasters - free-to-air and subscription - and the telecommunications and space industries, as well as the Department of Defence.

ACMA chairman Chris Chapman said there are still important issues to be resolved, ranging from developing sharing arrangements in the other bands through to the timing of a price-based allocation for parts of the 2.5 GHz band. ENG operators would not be able to relocate from the 2.5 GHz band until suitable arrangements have been made in the other bands.

The complexity of the issues to be resolved, particularly developing appropriate arrangements in bands other than 2.5 GHz, mean the implementation phase is expected to continue over several years, added Chapman.