Expiring 15-year spectrum licences
In the late 1990s the Australian Government commenced auctioning a number of spectrum licences intended primarily for the provision of wireless telecommunications services. The licences had 15-year tenure, flexible conditions and were fully tradeable. Australia was among the first countries in the world to issue licences on this basis. The first of these key spectrum licences will expire in 2013, with the remainder expiring by 2017.
In the normal course of affairs, these licences would be reallocated on expiry via a price based method, such as an auction. However, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy has the power to determine classes of services for which re-issue to the same licensee would be in the public interest. The Minister also has the power to direct the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) about matters relating to price.
On 10 February 2012, the Minister announced that he had made a determination under subsection 82(3) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 and a direction to the ACMA under subsection 294(2) of the same Act which allow for the possible reissue of licences to the same licensee.
Media release: Renewal decision provides certainty for mobile consumers
Determination under subsection 82(3) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (PDF, 56 KB)
Determination under subsection 82(3) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (DOC, 99 KB)
- Direction to the ACMA under subsection 294(2) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (PDF, 51 KB)
- Direction to the ACMA under subsection 294(2) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (DOC, 113 KB)
- Fact Sheet - 15 year spectrum licence reissue (PDF, 61 KB)
- Fact Sheet - 15 year spectrum licence reissue (DOC, 173 KB)
Further information
In considering the reissue of expiring 15-year spectrum licences, the department sought independent expert advice on the value of the spectrum. In particular, the following three documents provide relevant information on spectrum value:
- Plum Consulting: Synopsis of 15-year spectrum licence valuation methodology (PDF, 54.3 KB)
- Plum Consulting: Synopsis of 15-year spectrum licence valuation methodology (DOC, 332.5 KB)
- Plum consulting: Valuation of public mobile spectrum at 825-845MHz and 870-890MHz (15 September 2011) (PDF, 217.2 KB)
- Plum consulting: Valuation of public mobile spectrum at 825-845MHz and 870-890MHz (15 September 2011) (DOC, 571.0 KB)
- Plum consulting: Valuation of public mobile spectrum at 1710-1785MHz and 1805-1880MHz (28 June 2011) (PDF, 177.7 KB)
- Plum consulting: Valuation of public mobile spectrum at 1710-1785MHz and 1805-1880MHz (28 June 2011) (DOC, 532.5 KB)
Contact
15-Year Spectrum Licence Reissue
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
GPO Box 2154 CANBERRA ACT 2601
Email: spectrumlicences@dbcde.gov.au
