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The Government has revealed details of plans to auction radio spectrum suitable for the delivery of high-speed broadband services.
The planned carve-up of the 2.3GHz spectrum was delayed in May when the Government decided to expand it to include 2.5GHz spectrum.
Communications Minister David Cunliffe said the decision to auction jointly radio spectrum in the two bands in December would ensure there was ample spectrum available to help ensure the competitive roll-out of new services. "It will bring more choice and better access for those seeking to join the digital world, and will be of particular interest to rural New Zealanders," he said.
The auction plan sets strict acquisition limits and use-it-or-lose it provisions to "prevent spectrum hoarding", said Cunliffe.
The auction also proposes three "managed spectrum parks" totalling 75 MHz designed to provide for local and regional use on a shared basis that may involve local government or iwi.
The Government decided last year to bring forward the auction of the 2.3GHz spectrum, which it said was under-utilised, to allow telcos to plan long-term investment in wireless broadband technologies.
Rights to the spectrum, which expire in 2010, were allocated in 1990 and are held by state-owned broadcast and telecommunications infrastructure operator Kordia, with Telecom, Sky TV and Woosh.
Woosh last year added to its allocation by buying spectrum from Telecom and Sky TV.
