Expiring spectrum licences (stage 3) – preliminary views

Many of the spectrum licences that authorise Australians’ access to communications and data, and others that are used for rail and broadcasting services, are reaching the end of their term. What happens to these expiring spectrum licences (ESLs) is crucial for service providers, and for all Australians using these services.

We are seeking feedback on our preliminary views that provide the greatest benefit to the community through the future use of this spectrum. 

The detail of our preliminary views are set out in 4 papers, which are accompanied by 3 supporting papers. The consultation paper summarises our preliminary views and provides information about the consultation. The preliminary views papers cover:

1. incumbent licensee use-cases and the long-term public interest
2. renewal options for each ESL band and the public interest
3. proposed licence duration and licence statements for renewed ESLs
4. prices for ESL spectrum.

The supporting papers provide an overview of the historical, policy and market context in which our preliminary views have been reached. They examine:

1. expiring licences, incumbent licensee holdings, use and the secondary market
2. competing and complementary demand for ESL spectrum
3. trends and developments in spectrum management, policy and technology and markets.

We recommend stakeholders read the papers in numbered order as these papers contain analysis and supporting information that subsequent papers rely upon.

This consultation begins stage 3 of the ESL process. Information gathered will inform our finalised policy framework, which will be used for future licence renewal application processes. 

Our preliminary views were informed by the submissions we received to the stage 2 consultation (view the submissions) and supplementary material provided by various stakeholders outside of the formal consultation process, which is available below.

We welcome feedback from stakeholders on the preliminary views presented in the consultation paper and the related suite of preliminary and supporting views papers.

Use the ‘Make a submission’ button at the top of this page to upload your submission. 

Details for submissions by post are in the consultation paper.