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The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has signalled that it intends to renew the spectrum licenses of mobile operators when they expire between 2028 and 2032.
The licences are primarily allocated to telcos to deliver mobile phone and internet services, while others are used for communications for running railway networks or facilitating outside broadcasts by Australian broadcasters.
In its statement, the ACMA says most licenses for wide-area wireless broadband should be renewed, as they have promoted and will continue to promote the long-term public interest.
Included are fixed wireless networks operated by NBN Co, mostly used to provide services to consumers in outer-metropolitan and regional areas.
“In particular, decisions affecting licences held by the mobile operators will shape the Australian telecommunications market and the services that it delivers for consumers for the next 20 years," ACMA Deputy Chair Adam Suckling said.
“The considerations are complex, but the long-term public interest guides our thinking.
"That means keeping in focus every Australian who uses a mobile phone, catches a train, or relies on free-to-air news, including for information on natural disasters such as the recent Cyclone Alfred.
“Competition and choice, potential alternative use, service continuity for end-users, and operators delivering on investment, innovation and coverage all informed the ACMA’s approach.
"Further, we have consulted extensively with stakeholders as part of coming to our preliminary views."
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The ACMA says it is seeking further information from Telstra and the broader industry on the long-term use of 2.3 GHz licences for private networks in remote areas, and tackling inefficiencies in the 3.4 GHz band, used for network capacity and fixed wireless.
In addition, the ACMA says it will separately explore opportunities to address demand from smaller players interested in providing localised wide area wireless broadband services.
“We want to see further innovation in smaller markets, Suckling said.
"While that is possible under current licensing arrangements, it is just not happening, so we want to remove any impediments."
Wide area spectrum license renewals are favoured by ACMA to be between 11 and 16 years.
According to ACMA, the renewal value of the spectrum held by Telstra, Optus, TPG and NBN collectively is between A$5 billion A$6.2 billion, based on international benchmarking.
The previous prices paid for the licences totalled A$8.2 billion.
Licences used for rail communications and for TV outside broadcasts should continue through a different licence type, opening a path to adopting new technologies, ACMA says.
The preliminary views also considered the potential offered by LEO satellites to deliver services to mobile phones in hard-to-connect parts of the country.
The ACMA is currently seeking feedback on its preliminary views from stakeholders and the public before finalising the policy framework.
“This consultation is an important milestone in our approach to expiring spectrum licences,” said Suckling.
"These licences will significantly shape the future of Australia’s telecommunications landscape, so it’s important we include as many views in the decision-making process as we can."