Australia to remove 2-GHz spectrum cap

The Australian government has announced plans to remove the current cap on spectrum holdings in the 2-GHz band to allow all operators to bid for leftover spectrum from previous actions.

But the government, acting on the advice of competition regulator ACCC, has elected to retain the current allocation limits in the 1800-MHz band.

Meanwhile there will continue to be no allocation limits on holdings in the 2.3-GHz and 3.4-GHz bands, communications minister Mitch Fifield announced.

The government plans to hold a multiband residual lots auction late this year, and has decided to hold a single auction process for all four bands rather than several smaller auctions.

Telecoms regulator ACMA will conduct the auction on behalf of the government.

The government has meanwhile proposed a new spectrum management reform that will replace current legislative arrangements with new legislation that seeks to streamline licensing for a simpler and more flexible framework.

Under the proposed reforms, spectrum pricing will be reviewed to “ensure consistent and transparent arrangements to support the efficient use of spectrum and secondary markets.”

The draft law is currently undergoing a second round of consultation before it is finalized and sent to parliament.