Consultation begins on remaining 700 MHz spectrum

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has released for public consultation two draft Ministerial Directions to the Australian Communications and Media Authority on the return to market of the remaining 700 MHz spectrum from the digital dividend auction.

The draft Directions are:

• Radiocommunications (Spectrum Access Charges - 700 MHz Band) Direction No 1 of 2013
• Australian Communications and Media Authority (Spectrum Allocation - Post-Auction Review) Direction No 1 of 2013.

The draft Spectrum Access Charges Direction requires ACMA to fix the spectrum access charges for the remaining spectrum at a price not less than $1.36/MHz/pop, which corresponds with the reserve price at which it was offered at the digital dividend auction.

The draft Spectrum Allocation Direction requires ACMA to report to the Minister by 1 September 2014 on the appropriate procedures for returning the unsold 700 MHz spectrum to market.

“The ACMA report in September 2014 will inform the decision about how to bring the remaining 700 MHz spectrum back to market in a way that provides the greatest benefit to the Commonwealth, interested purchasers and the Australian public,” Senator Conroy said.

“The ACMA has previously stated that it should not be assumed any unsold spectrum would be returned to market in the short term, or at a price that is lower than the reserve price set for this auction. These proposed Directions formalise that approach.”

Submissions are invited by 19 July 2013.

Further information on the draft Directions and how to make a submission is available from the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy website.