Planning for the eventual introduction of 5G in Australia is a key focus of the Australian Communications and Media Authority in an industry consultation paper it released on Friday.
The consultation paper is seeking industry comment and input on the next steps on the future of the 3575-3700 MHz band (the 3.6 GHz band) – touted as a pioneer band for 5G mobile broadband.
‘In line with our established mobile broadband strategy we want to make sure Australia is well placed to take advantage of the emergence of 5G technologies both in the cities and the regions,’ says ACMA acting chairman Richard Bean.
Bean says the ACMA acknowledges the strong interest in the 3.6 GHz band for 5G and other wide area broadband uses, “while also recognising that there are existing services and licensees using these frequencies that want to continue operating”.
{loadposition peter}The consultation papers identify a range of possible re-planning options for the 3.6 GHz band and include a detailed explanation of, and reasoning for, the ACMA’s currently preferred option to make spectrum available in metropolitan and regional areas for new services.
The paper also proposes various mitigation measures to reduce the effects of any change on incumbents in the band, including unusually lengthy adjustment periods.
"We have identified spectrum in the 5.6 GHz band that may be made available for point-to-multipoint users including Wireless ISPs to grow their businesses into the future," Bean says.
"We are also investigating the establishment of ‘Earth station protection zones’ to aid ongoing long-term use of the 3.6 GHz band by satellite services.”
Release of the consultation paper follows the ACMA’s release of a discussion paper — 'Future use of the 1.5 GHz and 3.6 GHz bands' — in October last year which sought industry feedback on the ACMA’s medium and longer-term planning approaches to address rising demand for mobile broadband services in the 1.5 and 3.6 GHz bands.
The ACMA now says that ghiven international developments and strong domestic interest, it has decided that consideration of the 3.6 GHz band should be prioritised over the 1.5 GHz band.
“A more timely resolution of what, if any, re-planning would occur in the 3.6 GHz band will also provide certainty to incumbent services regarding long term arrangements in the band and any alternative options available to them,” the ACMA says.