'Public park' radio frequency released

By CHRIS BARTON

The Government has relaxed radio frequency restrictions to allow free use of a band of unlicensed airwaves for broadband communications.

The changes mean commercial users will be able to use "high gain antenna" in the 5.8GHz band to deliver fast internet and data over distances of 30km.

Communications Minister Paul Swain said that under the new "General User Radio Licence" anyone can enter the "public park" frequency and install links without a licence or having to pay fees. Issues of interference are left up to users of the links to sort out themselves.

"The main objective of this licence is to provide new options for the delivery of wireless broadband data, along with the potential for increased competition and reduced access costs."

Previously, use of the open frequency was restricted to antennas with radiated power of 4 Watts. Under the new rules that will increase to 200 Watts making the frequency more useful for point-to-point data communications over longer distances. Possible uses include the wireless linking of networks between businesses or "backhaul" links used by telcos and wireless internet providers.

Swain said the new licence - issued on a pilot basis until June 2004 - reflected moves in the United States by the Federal Communications Commission, which is investigating new approaches to the management of the radio spectrum. Most radio spectrum is managed by administered licences or by allocation of property rights to a band of frequency.

Governments usually set aside spectrum for unlicensed commercial operation - "public parks" referred to as the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) bands or unlicensed national information infrastructure (UNII).