Spectrum Licensing

The Digital Futures: Planning for Digital Television and New Uses discussion paper outlines issues relating to achieving a fully digital television broadcasting environment and the re-allocation of the spectrum resulting from the upcoming “digital switch-over” (DSO) process.

Background

Worldwide television broadcasting has been transitioning from analogue to digital technology over the last ten years, with many countries either already or about to transition to a fully-digital television platform.  Analogue technology is rapidly becoming obsolete and DSO is therefore inevitable.

DSO is likely to occur in New Zealand between 2013 and 2015.  At this time all analogue television will be switched off, and ageing and obsolete analogue technology which is expensive to maintain will be retired and replaced with technology which is up-to-date, future-proofed, and energy efficient.  

For viewers, digital television provides better quality picture and sound, greater choice of channels and services, and the potential for a range of other digital services to be delivered via their televisions.

Cost-benefit analysis shows there will be a significant net economic benefit to New Zealand if DSO takes place by 2015. 

Having your say

The switch to digital television leads to more efficient use of the spectrum and frees up spectrum (“digital dividend”) for new uses on both a geographical basis, such as fast rural broadband services and on a national basis, for uses such as next generation cellular services.  Views are currently being sought on options for band re-planning and proposals for allocation of radio spectrum for new services post-DSO. 

DSO is not without its challenges and the government is looking for feedback on options for transitioning incumbent users of the spectrum, including regional broadcasters, radio microphone users and radio amateurs. The paper also highlights potential Māori interests in the spectrum.

To outline the proposals and options set out in the discussion paper, industry workshops will be held in Auckland on 8 September and in Wellington on 15 September.   Further details and how to register your interest in attending is available on the Ministry of Economic Development’s website.

Submissions close on Wednesday, 30 September 2009.  They should be made in writing, preferably by email, to radiospectrum@med.govt.nz (with “Digital Futures discussion document” in the subject line), or by mailing:

Digital Futures Discussion Document
Radio Spectrum Policy and Planning
Ministry of Economic Development
P O Box 1473
Wellington 6140

Please note that the Acquisition Limit that needs to be complied with under clause 2.2 (g) of the initial allocation rules is based on the Territorial Local Authorities in existence on the application closing date. This will mean that, for the purposes of application to the MSP, the local government reorganisation of Auckland does not affect the Acquisition Limit.

The 2.5 GHz MSP is intended for local and regional wireless broadband services, such as Wi-MAX, and seeks to encourage a flexible, cooperative, low cost and self-managed approach to allocation and use of the radio spectrum resource. The MSP is likely to be of interest to smaller industry players, local and regional councils and iwi groups who are considering the deployment of wireless broadband services.

• Initial Allocation Rules (includes Application Documentation)
• Park Rules 
• Licence Agreement
• Detailed timetable

Radio Licensing

SMART (the Register of Radio Frequencies) is compatible with Internet Explorer 6, 7 and Firefox 3.0, but not Internet Explorer 8. Microsoft® themselves have noted that “some websites may not yet be ready for Internet Explorer 8”, so have created a “Compatibility View” to “display the website as viewed in Internet Explorer 7”. More information can be found on the Microsoft® website.

There may be some screens in SMART that do not behave as expected if viewed in Internet Explorer 8. If you think this is the case, try clicking the “Compatibility View” icon next to the address bar. You can also add the rsm.govt.nz website into the Tools > Compatibility View Settings so it is always in “Compatibility View” when using Internet Explorer 8.

We will be updating the relevant SMART screens as they are identified.

The radio spectrum is a significant resource for New Zealand’s information technology and communications infrastructure and supports a wide range of public and private uses including public safety, emergency and defence services.  As such, it is important to ensure that spectrum management continues to meet the changing needs of private and public users in order to maximise the value of spectrum to New Zealand society.

This was the first comprehensive examination of the radio licensing regime since the enactment of the Radiocommunications Act in 1989.  The review considered a technical report into the utilization of radio licences, a discussion document into management of the radio licensing regime, and stakeholders’ feedback on the discussion document.

The licensing regime was shown to be broadly effective, with a few exceptions, such as studio-to-transmitter link spectrum in major centres, where supply may not currently be meeting demand.  Stakeholders largely endorsed the way the Ministry of Economic Development approaches issues, such as congestion, when they arise.  Some limited interest was shown by submitters in potential options that may further improve the licensing regime. 

Based on this feedback, the regime will be retained in its current form, but it is acknowledged that there are opportunities for minor improvements.  In response, the Ministry intends to strengthen its forecasting of trends in spectrum use under the radio licensing regime.  It will do this through ongoing reviews of demand (in order to better address bottlenecks before they occur) and by adopting a more systematic and proactive approach to enabling new emerging technologies.

LMR is a radiocommunications service used by law enforcement, public safety and emergency responders, as well as commercial operators such as the transportation sector, utility companies, construction and security companies. Digital LMR technologies use the radio spectrum more efficiently and provide more robust communications than analogue LMR technologies.  Digital systems also have enhanced capabilities, such as better voice quality, short messaging and data services, GPS tracking and encryption.

Digital technologies have already been successfully introduced into one commercial LMR band (the 800 MHz TS band) to coexist with incumbent analogue technologies.  The discussion paper seeks feedback on the expansion of the licensing of digital LMR technologies to include the remaining commercial LMR bands.  Land mobile bands assigned for government purposes (public protection and disaster relief) have already introduced digital LMR. The Ministry is proposing to align New Zealand’s licensing framework for commercial digital LMR with international practice.

Submissions on the proposals contained in this paper and on any related issues are to be received by the Ministry of Economic Development no later than Friday, 4 September 2009.

Submissions should be emailed to radiospectrum@med.govt.nz (preferred option) or mailed to:

Digital Land Mobile in the VHF and UHF Bands
Radio Spectrum Policy and Planning
Ministry of Economic Development
PO Box 1473
Wellington 6140
New Zealand

Related link

• Discussion paper

Product Compliance

The ECANZ Trade Show is the only trade show in the South Island specifically aimed at the electrical industry.  It takes upwards of 1,000 visitors each year, and enables manufacturers, importers, retailers and people with service, installation and engineering competence to interact in one place at one time, to discuss compliance and safety issues and to gain a better understanding of regulatory processes.

“Education was the major achievement of the day,” said the Ministry’s David McLaughlan.  “We were able to assist visitors with specific enquiries, so that they could better play their part in achieving safe outcomes for New Zealanders.” 

The new compliance programme for 2009-2010 and beyond supports more cost-effective delivery of telecommunications infrastructure services, and helps minimise the administration and business costs of radio spectrum management.  It is shaped by the business review of RSM by PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2008, feedback from industry, data and risk analysis conducted by the Ministry, changes in technology, and shifts in demand trends, such as increasing demand for access to spectrum above 1 GHz.  

The programme was developed with the assistance of major radio users, and targets areas of risk to radiocommunication services and to the accuracy of data in the Register of Radio Frequencies (accessible through SMART). It includes measures to control the supply of interfering equipment entering the New Zealand market.

Radio licensees will notice fewer requests for site access as RSM puts emphasis on radiated signal measurements rather than direct-coupled testing.
 
The programme also includes a project to correct transmitter location data errors and to ensure new data is entered at the greater level of accuracy that modern mapping technologies provide for.