New Zealand replanning 806-960 MHz

The New Zealand Communications and Information Technology Minister Steven Joyce has released a discussion paper on options for replanning the non-cellular spectrum allocations in the 806-960 MHz band.

Non-cellular services and applications using this frequency range are land mobile radio, fixed links including radio broadcast studio-to-transmitter links, and short-range radiocommunications devices.

The discussion paper seeks industry feedback on two main proposals for changes to the band, as well as other options. The proposed changes are:

* allocating a new 8 MHz block of spectrum for radio broadcast studio-to-transmitter fixed links (841-849 MHz), and

* changing a 6 MHz block (915-921 MHz) currently used for studio-to-transmitter links to permit use by short-range devices (e.g., radio frequency identification or RFID systems, smart meters and broadband wireless access infrastructure).

The discussion paper suggests putting most of the new band for studio-to-transmitter links up for auction as 20-year rights. This would introduce market forces to the allocation of this spectrum, which has been in short supply in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The 20-year term will also give right-holders greater certainty about their broadcast infrastructure, and the flexibility to make changes.

Other possible options on which feedback is sought include:

* Moving the simplex land mobile radio band from 868-869 MHz to 819-820 MHz to free up the 864-870 MHz band for short-range devices;

* Relocating the short-range radio microphone device use in the range 819-824 MHz elsewhere, to free up the band for a better use (if one can be identified); and

* Any possible future uses for spectrum that is currently used as a “guard band” in management rights held by 2degrees Mobile.

The discussion paper can be downloaded from
http://www.rsm.govt.nz/cms/policy-and-planning/
current-projects/radiocommunications/
806-960-mhz-band-replanning