Allocation of area-wide apparatus licences in the 3.8 GHz band

On 15 February 2024, we published an applicant information pack and announced the commencement date of the application window.  

We have published an outcomes paper that summarises submissions on the proposed allocation, as well as our responses and decisions. You can find this in the key documents box above. As a result of these decisions, we have made the following instruments: 

• Radiocommunications (Area-Wide Licences – Limits, Authorisations and Transfers) Determination 2024
• Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Amendment Determination 2024 (No. 1)
• Radiocommunications (Receiver Licence Tax) Amendment Determination 2024 (No. 1).

We have released the public submissions to this consultation. You can access these at the bottom of the page.

As stated in consultation paper, we have expedited consideration of the changes to the Radiocommunications Advisory Guidelines (Managing Interference from Spectrum Licensed Transmitters – 3.4 GHz Band) 2015 (RAG Tx). We expect these changes will be of interest to those participating in the 3.4/3.7 GHz allocation of spectrum licences planned for late October 2023.

After reviewing submissions, we have made the Radiocommunications Advisory Guidelines (Managing Interference from Spectrum Licensed Transmitters – 3.4 GHz Band) Variation 2023 (No. 2).

An outcomes paper that summarises submissions on the proposed changes to the RAG Tx, as well as our responses and decisions, is available in the key documents box above. We aim to announce outcomes for all remaining issues in Q1 2024.

We are seeking your feedback on:

• the proposed technical framework
• licence tax arrangements
• licence tenure and renewal
• 2 options for the approach to allocating AWLs in the 3.8 GHz band. 

The 3.8 GHz allocation process is part of our wider mid-band allocations work program in the 3.4–4.0 GHz band. An overview of the milestones for mid-band allocation projects is available on our website.