How mobile spectrum is essential to Australia’s prosperity

AMTA has released the second edition of its spectrum policy paper.  In the first edition released in November 2021, AMTA called for the Government to set a target of 8 GHz of spectrum to be assigned by 2030.

In the second 2024 edition, AMTA still supports the need for this quantum of spectrum to be assigned and particularly the mid-band spectrum assignments necessary to ensure that mobile networks can meet the increasing demand for mobile data. However, in this next edition AMTA also considers the conditions that spectrum is provide under and the implications to vital critical network infrastructure if spectrum frameworks and conditions are not well managed.

The ACMA is reviewing spectrum licences to expire between 2028 and 2032, equating to around 80% of all mobile spectrum licences.  The early visibility of the regulator’s intentions on whether to renew these licences is vital to ensure continued investment in mobile infrastructure.  Mobile infrastructure investments are long-term, so any real, or perceived, risk to the renewal of these licences can dampen the investment in mobile infrastructure, with flow on impacts to the wider economy.

Australia is globally a relatively small market and must rely on sourcing infrastructure leveraging global economies of scale.  In recent years we have seen the regulator impose technical specifications that are more stringent than the international standards set by the 3GPP.  This undermines the mobile industry’s ability to leverage these global economies of scale.  AMTA is calling for the regulator to set technical specifications that are in line with international 3GPP standards.

To continue to meet mobile data demand, AMTA is also calling for sufficient spectrum to be allocated, consistent with our previous policy paper.  To that end we are asking that the ACMA allocates 700 MHz of upper 6 GHz spectrum to mobile, in order to meet industries, need for mid-band spectrum.

Full report links:

AMTA Spectrum Policy Paper 2024 – Edition 2 – June 2024

AMTA response – Draft Five Year Spectrum Outlook 2023-28 final

Draft Five Year Spectrum Outlook 2022-2027.  Submission to the ACMA 6 May 2022

Spectrum for 5G and Beyond – AMTA policy position paper – November 2021

Coleago Report – Demand for mid-band spectrum in Australia

Coleago Report – Mid-band spectrum -Global outlook

Ericsson Mobility Report – Nov 2021

5G Spectrum GSMA Public Policy Position   GSMA March 2021