Draft allocation and technical instruments for the 3.4/3.7 GHz bands auction

Please note: On 9 March 2023, we made the following corrections to the allocation limits calculation tool:

• On the 'Regions' worksheet, the 'Regional NSW' region now includes the 'NSW/ACT Urban Fringe' sub-area.
• On the 'Sub-areas' worksheet, the 'NSW/ACT Urban Fringe' sub-area is now part of the 'Regional NSW' region.

Previously, these 2 sheets incorrectly omitted the ‘NSW/ACT Urban Fringe’ sub-area from the ‘Regional NSW’ region.

However, the calculations spreadsheet correctly defined the ‘Regional NSW’ region to include the ‘NSW/ACT Urban Fringe’ sub-area, so the calculations are unaffected by the correction.

Globally, spectrum in the 3400–4200 MHz frequency range is of great interest. It is suitable for many applications, including fixed satellite and wireless broadband (WBB) services such as 5G.  

On 14 July 2022, we made the Radiocommunications (Spectrum Re-allocation – 3.4 GHz and 3.7 GHz Bands) Declaration 2022 (the re-allocation declaration) for parts of the 3.4 GHz (3400–3575 MHz) and the 3.7 GHz (3700–3800 MHz) bands.

We are preparing to allocate this spectrum by auction. This is expected to occur in the last quarter of 2023. In preparation for the auction, we have prepared draft allocation and technical instruments. These describe:

• the products we are offering in the auction
• the rules and procedures we propose will govern the auction
• the technical framework for operating devices in the bands.

The draft allocation and technical instruments and consultation paper discussing these draft instruments are available in the key documents section. We seek your comments on the draft instruments and any other issues relevant to the allocation of spectrum licences in the 3.4 and 3.7 GHz bands. We have also published an allocation limits calculation tool for transparency on how allocation limits are meant to function in the auction.

The consultation also includes our proposed approach to manage the coexistence of wireless broadband services with radio altimeters on aircraft which operate in the 4200–4400 MHz band. This aspect is applicable to all allocations, including the future allocations in 3.4–4.0 GHz in remote areas and AWLs in the 3.8 GHz band.

We will hold a tune-up at 9:30 am (AEDT) on 24 February 2023 to discuss the policies in our consultation material. You can RSVP to the tune-up by emailing SpectrumAllocations@acma.gov.au.

Send us your views by clicking on the ‘Upload submission’ button at the top of this page. Or email your submission to SpectrumAllocations@acma.gov.au by 5 pm (AEDT) on Wednesday 29 March 2023.

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