New Zealand announces 2.3 and 2.5 GHz auction results

The New Zealand regulator MED has announced the results of the 2.3 and 2.5 GHz auction and the applicants for the 3.5 GHz auction.

Radio spectrum Auction 9, for spectrum in the 2.3 GHz and 2.5 GHz bands, successfully concluded on Tuesday, 18 December 2007.

The online auction process was a multiple round process for eight lots of spectrum – four nationwide lots suitable for WiMAX type services (two in the 2.3 GHz band and two in the 2.5 GHz band) and four nationwide lots suitable for either WiMAX or cellular type services.

The auction commenced with ten participants on Tuesday 11 December 2007 and was completed after 30 rounds. There are six provisionally successful bidders and the total value of their bids is $4,374,333.

Two further lots of spectrum have also been made available as part of the allocation process for radio spectrum in these bands. One nationwide lot of 25 MHz is reserved for Maori. The Minister of Maori Affairs has offered this lot to Hautaki Ltd. Another 45 MHz lot has been reserved for a "managed spectrum park", which will be the subject of further consultation in 2008 .

The new rights in the 2.3 GHz band will commence after the expiry of the existing rights in December 2010. Parties seeking earlier access will be able to negotiate with the existing right holders. The rights in the 2.5 GHz band will commence in January 2009, although the various types of existing use in this band will be able to continue until mid 2009, December 2010, or December 2012 depending on the type of use.

The lots will be transferred to the successful bidders once they have successfully completed the settlement process.

Further information on the spectrum auction, auction rounds and requirements of bidders is available on the Ministry of Economic Development’s radio spectrum website.

Auction 9 Provisional Results

Applications received for 3.5 GHz spectrum
Sixty-eight licence applications have been received as part of the second round allocation of radio spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band. Of those received, 31 are for non-contested lots i.e. there is only one applicant. The remaining 37 are for contested lots, where more than one application has been received for the lot. Applications closed at 4.00pm on Wednesday 5 December 2007.

Radio Spectrum Management 2006-2007 Annual Report
http://www.rsm.govt.nz/cms/resource-library/publications/annual-reports-and-business-plan/MED13103%20RSM%20annual%20report-web.pdf/

New Zealand Radio Spectrum Management Website
http://www.rsm.govt.nz/

New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters (NZART)
http://www.nzart.org.nz/nzart/