Radio Spectrum Management New Zealand monthly update

RSM New Zealand’s latest industry update covers new general user licences for fixed-link and short-range devices, an extension to the Radiocommunications Act review and auction of AM and FM licences.

In September, the New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) announced that the auction of AM and FM licences will take place online from 27 November to 3 December 2014.

The auction process is being managed by Turners Auctions. It will take place on both the Turners and Trade Me websites. A Trade Me account is required to take part in the auction.

Successful bidders will be required to meet a service requirement, set out in the contracts, which will require them to implement a broadcasting service on the licence(s) purchased no later than two years following licence transfer.

A new edition of the General User Radio Licence for Fixed Radio Link Devices (GURL-FRLD) has been published.

The GURL-FRLD has been modified to add the frequency range 57-64 GHz for multi-gigabit point-to-point fixed links, enabling new backhaul options for users. The new provisions are similar to those in the USA.

Multi-Gigabit Wi-Fi is a new technology (eg, IEEE standard 802.11ad) that can deliver speeds of up 7 Gbit per second over some tens of metres.

A new edition of the General User Radio licence for Short Range Devices (GURL-SRD) has also been published. It now includes the:

• 7.4-8.8 MHz frequency range for inductive systems such as radiofrequency Electronic Article Surveillance.
• 174-230 MHz frequency range to extend VHF radio microphone usage until 30 September 2019.
• Adjustments to the 57-66 GHz frequency range for Multi-Gigabit Wi-Fi.

Finally, RSM New Zealand has announced that the deadline for submissions to the review of the Radiocommunications Act 1989 has been extended to 15 October 2014.