RSM New Zealand releases latest business update

Radio Spectrum Management (RSM), the New Zealand regulator, has begun a review of the Radiocommunications Act 1989 and is seeking views from industry on how well the Act is working and what changes, if any, are needed.

RSM has published a discussion document outlining the issues being considered and is asking for feedback by 1 October 2014.

The issues covered in the discussion document include competition regulation, technical parameters on licences and interference management.

RSM has also extended the deadline for the phase-out of 25 kHz LMR channels by four years.

A deadline of 1 November 2015 for the phase-out of 25 kHz LMR channels was set in 2009 to promote more efficient use of LMR bands, reduce congestion and align New Zealand with international practice.

RSM recently reviewed the deadline and has decided to extend it to 31 December 2019 for all LMR licences operating in frequencies above 470 MHz (F band and TS band). This is because the level of congestion in the F and TS bands is not significant at this time.

The current deadline of 1 November 2015 still applies to 25 kHz LMR licences operating in frequencies below 470 MHz (E, C and D bands). On 1 November 2015, all 25 kHz LMR licences operating in frequencies below 470 MHz will be revoked (except for licences used for SCADA and data services in C and D band).

The Radio Licence Policy Rules (PIB 58) has been updated to reflect the change to the phase-out deadline.