Expiring spectrum licences (stage 3) – preliminary views

We are now running a reply-to-comment period from 2 July to 23 July.

Stakeholders are invited to provide feedback on submissions we have received to our stage 3 preliminary views consultation.

We will use feedback received during this period alongside earlier submissions in forming our preferred views on ESLs.

Submissions received to our stage 3 preliminary views consultation are available at the bottom of this page. 

Timeframes for stage 4

We have previously indicated that we would release our stage 4 preferred views (including our response to stage 3 submissions) in Q3 2025.

Initial feedback from stakeholders on our preliminary views indicates that submissions to the consultation are likely to raise a range of complex considerations, particularly as they relate to spectrum prices, and proposed transitions of critical services to new licensing frameworks. 

Stakeholders have also indicated a strong desire for an understanding of how a secondary licensing framework might work in practice, before the commencement of the renewal application period for the first tranche of ESLs in the 850 MHz and 1800 MHz bands.

Taking these matters, and the inclusion of a reply-to-comment period into account, we have decided to defer stage 4 of the ESL process to Q4 2025.

Licensees may begin to apply for the renewal of ESLs in the 850 MHz and 1800 MHz bands from 18 June 2026. The revised timeframe for commencing stage 4 will allow us to continue to provide incumbents with the necessary confidence and required support (such as application forms and related matters) well ahead of the commencement of this period.

23 May 2025: Publication of modelling spreadsheets and update to Preliminary views paper 4: Pricing for ESLs

We have added 4 modelling spreadsheets, which underpin the pricing methodology outlined in Preliminary views paper 4: Pricing for ESLs.

Please note, we have also amended Table 13 in Appendix A of Preliminary views paper 4: Pricing for ESLs. 

The values in the Price/MHz/pop column for the Lower 1–3 GHz band grouping have been corrected from single-year prices to the full licence duration, in line with the other band groupings. We have also added clarifying notes under the table to indicate that prices for some allocations are not reported in local currencies. 

These corrections do not affect the preliminary price ranges presented in the paper. 

Many of the spectrum licences that authorise Australians’ access to communications and data, and others that are used for rail and broadcasting services, are reaching the end of their term. What happens to these expiring spectrum licences (ESLs) is crucial for service providers, and for all Australians using these services.

We are seeking feedback on our preliminary views that provide the greatest benefit to the community through the future use of this spectrum. 

The detail of our preliminary views are set out in 4 papers, which are accompanied by 3 supporting papers. The consultation paper summarises our preliminary views and provides information about the consultation. The preliminary views papers cover:

1. incumbent licensee use-cases and the long-term public interest
2. renewal options for each ESL band and the public interest
3. proposed licence duration and licence statements for renewed ESLs
4. prices for ESL spectrum.

The supporting papers provide an overview of the historical, policy and market context in which our preliminary views have been reached. They examine:

1. expiring licences, incumbent licensee holdings, use and the secondary market
2. competing and complementary demand for ESL spectrum
3. trends and developments in spectrum management, policy and technology and markets.

We recommend stakeholders read the papers in numbered order as these papers contain analysis and supporting information that subsequent papers rely upon.

This consultation begins stage 3 of the ESL process. Information gathered will inform our finalised policy framework, which will be used for future licence renewal application processes. 

Our preliminary views were informed by the submissions we received to the stage 2 consultation (view the submissions) and supplementary material provided by various stakeholders outside of the formal consultation process, which is available below.

We welcome feedback from stakeholders on the preliminary views presented in the consultation paper and the related suite of preliminary and supporting views papers.