4b. Hybrid approach—define Spectrum licence arrangements would be put in place in one of the areas defined in Incumbent apparatus-licensed services that operate frequencies and areas options outside those frequencies and areas that are reallocated around incumbent 3a–d. Specific frequency and area combinations around some or all existing for spectrum licensing would continue operating apparatus licences that will incumbent apparatus licences would remain subject to site-based apparatus licensing unaffected by this review process. not be re-allocated for arrangements. spectrum licensing (‘Swiss Incumbent apparatus-licensed services that operate inside cheese’ carve-out approach) The discussion on the appropriateness of the area to be re-allocated for spectrum those frequencies and areas that are reallocated for licensing described for each of options 3a–d apply in this case. spectrum licensing would be required to relocate by the end of the re-allocation period. Site-based apparatus licensing arrangements for wireless broadband, including MBB services, are not optimal for managing fair, spectrally efficient and equitable access to This option is considered appropriate to implement in spectrum in areas of high demand. Therefore, in areas of high demand, this option situations where ongoing support for earth stations does not address the case for action outlined in Chapter 3 and is not in line with the operating under an apparatus licence is desired. ACMA’s assessment of HVU. Consideration could be given to allow new site-based Carving out areas that will remain subject to apparatus licensing has the potential to apparatus licences for wireless broadband services to be complicate and restrict the deployment of services as well as introduce zones’ deployed in areas not reallocated for the issue of spectrum ‘dead near apparatus-spectrum licence geographical boundaries. It also has the potential to licences. affect a future defragmenting of licence holdings across the broader 3400–3700 MHz Long-term geographical relocation options in band. Both these effects are best managed by limiting the number of areas carved out regional/remote areas would need to be identified for any for apparatus licensing and as far as possible restricting them to areas of low demand. earth receive stations required to relocate so they could continue operating in the 3.6 GHz band. Apparatus licence options for wireless broadband services in the 5.6 GHz band would be developed.
4b. Hybrid approach—define frequencies and areas around incumbent apparatus licences that will not be re-allocated for spectrum licensing (‘Swiss cheese’ carve-out approach) Spectrum licence arrangements would be put in place in one of the areas defined in options 3a–d. Specific frequency and area combinations around some or all existing incumbent apparatus licences would remain subject to site-based apparatus licensing arrangements. The discussion on the appropriateness of the area to be re-allocated for spectrum licensing described for each of options 3a–d apply in this case. Site-based apparatus licensing arrangements for wireless broadband, including MBB services, are not optimal for managing fair, spectrally efficient and equitable access to spectrum in areas of high demand. Therefore, in areas of high demand, this option does not address the case for action outlined in Chapter 3 and is not in line with the ACMA’s assessment of HVU. Carving out areas that will remain subject to apparatus licensing has the potential to complicate and restrict the deployment of services as well as introduce ‘dead zones’ near apparatus-spectrum licence geographical boundaries. It also has the potential to affect a future defragmenting of licence holdings across the broader 3400–3700 MHz band. Both these effects are best managed by limiting the number of areas carved out for apparatus licensing and as far as possible restricting them to areas of low demand. Incumbent apparatus-licensed services that operate outside those frequencies and areas that are reallocated for spectrum licensing would continue operating unaffected by this review process. Incumbent apparatus-licensed services that operate inside those frequencies and areas that are reallocated for spectrum licensing would be required to relocate by the end of the re-allocation period. This option is considered appropriate to implement in situations where ongoing support for earth stations operating under an apparatus licence is desired. Consideration could be given to allow new site-based apparatus licences for wireless broadband services to be deployed in areas not reallocated for the issue of spectrum licences. Long-term geographical relocation options in regional/remote areas would need to be identified for any earth receive stations required to relocate so they could continue operating in the 3.6 GHz band. Apparatus licence options for wireless broadband services in the 5.6 GHz band would be developed.
18-17-0092-00-0000-acma-future-use-of-the-3-6-ghz-band.docx