introduction of mobile services in the 1800 MHz band. This would result in an underutilisation of spectrum in a band identified internationally for mobile broadband services. The only way that new licensees could obtain access to the spectrum would be by applying for an embargo exemption, which places an administrative burden upon them. The ACMA does not consider that this option provides any additional benefits to Government, business or consumers. For example, this option: Limits competition for mobile telecommunications services in remote areas; Limits benefits that may be realised by consumers from increased competition and availability of services; Prevents new technologies being deployed and limits or prevents the expansion of other services; Leads to an underutilisation of spectrum and associated inefficiencies; Prevents the band from moving to its highest value use; and Does not meet the Principles for spectrum management or the objects of the Act. Costs No costs to Government as no change has been made Delay costs for business associated with access to spectrum suitable for 4G and smart infrastructure technologies Limits competition and consumer choice in remote Australia. Benefits Continued operation of existing fixed services. Option 2 Licence both new fixed and mobile services – Under this option, existing fixed-link licensees would not be required to relocate from the band. Coordination arrangements in the 1800 MHz band, currently optimised for fixed services, would be amended to allow for the introduction of mobile services in the band. The embargo would be amended so that the ACMA could consider applications for both new fixed services and mobile services. Any new apparatus licensees whether fixed or mobile - would be required to – coordinate with existing fixed services before commencing operation. New services would not be permitted to operate if they interfered with the existing fixed service. This option allows operators to potentially deploy some LTE services in remote Australia. This option therefore to some extent: Enables increased utilisation of the 1800 MHz band in remote Australia; Reduces delay costs with respect to the deployment of LTE services; and Facilitates competition amongst mobile operators in remote Australia. However, given the extensive deployment of existing fixed links (as shown in Figure 2), this approach would significantly restrict the roll out of new services to remote Australia. It would therefore undermine the effectiveness of releasing the band for mobile services.
introduction of mobile services in the 1800 MHz band. This would result in an underutilisation of spectrum in a band identified internationally for mobile broadband services. The only way that new licensees could obtain access to the spectrum would be by applying for an embargo exemption, which places an administrative burden upon them. The ACMA does not consider that this option provides any additional benefits to Government, business or consumers. For example, this option: Limits competition for mobile telecommunications services in remote areas; Limits benefits that may be realised by consumers from increased competition and availability of services; Prevents new technologies being deployed and limits or prevents the expansion of other services; Leads to an underutilisation of spectrum and associated inefficiencies; Prevents the band from moving to its highest value use; and Does not meet the Principles for spectrum management or the objects of the Act. Costs No costs to Government as no change has been made Delay costs for business associated with access to spectrum suitable for 4G and smart infrastructure technologies Limits competition and consumer choice in remote Australia. Benefits Continued operation of existing fixed services. Option 2 – Licence both new fixed and mobile services Under this option, existing fixed-link licensees would not be required to relocate from the band. Coordination arrangements in the 1800 MHz band, currently optimised for fixed services, would be amended to allow for the introduction of mobile services in the band. The embargo would be amended so that the ACMA could consider applications for both new fixed services and mobile services. Any new apparatus licensees – whether fixed or mobile - would be required to coordinate with existing fixed services before commencing operation. New services would not be permitted to operate if they interfered with the existing fixed service. This option allows operators to potentially deploy some LTE services in remote Australia. This option therefore to some extent: Enables increased utilisation of the 1800 MHz band in remote Australia; Reduces delay costs with respect to the deployment of LTE services; and Facilitates competition amongst mobile operators in remote Australia. However, given the extensive deployment of existing fixed links (as shown in Figure 2), this approach would significantly restrict the roll out of new services to remote Australia. It would therefore undermine the effectiveness of releasing the band for mobile services.
1800-Mhz-remote-RIS.docx