Summary of RSM’s potential work plan

This page outlines our major activities and projects over the upcoming outlook period. A brief description is provided of each activity and how it relates to each of the trends identified in this Spectrum Outlook.

On this page

We note that flexibility is required in responding to emerging issues in radio spectrum as new technologies and issues emerge. Hence, this indicative work programme is designed to be flexible and responsive to issues over time.

Additionally, note that radio spectrum policy is subject to Ministerial direction. Priorities can and do change over time to reflect the direction of the relevant Minister and Government. Consequently, this list should not be read as a definitive list of projects.

Band planning, technical studies, making spectrum available and implementation

Future use of the 24 - 30 GHz band including technical considerations, consultation and making spectrum available

Trends:

  • Satellites in space 
  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Use of higher frequencies
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Review and re-plan 600 MHz spectrum, including technical consultation

Trends:

  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Massive IoT
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Review and replan 1980 - 2010 MHz and 2170 - 2200 MHz

Trends:

  • Satellites in space 
  • Massive IoT
  • Private networks and industry verticals 
  • Spectrum sharing and efficient use of spectrum 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Consider the remaining spectrum in the 3.3 - 3.8 GHz band

Including 3.34 - 3.4 GHz frequency band (intended for regional broadband and private networks) and the 3.4 - 3.46 GHz frequency band (intended for national use). 

Trends:

  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Massive IoT
  • Private networks and industry verticals 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Start initial work on reviewing and re-planning the 3.8 - 4.2 GHz frequency band bands, potentially including technical consultation

Trends:

  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Massive IoT
  • Private networks and industry verticals 
  • Spectrum sharing and efficient use of spectrum 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Investigate future use of the 6.425 - 7.125 GHz frequency band

Taking into account international and regional developments, including wifi, Mobile (IMT) and shared models. 

Trends: 

  • Mobile data traffic 
  • General user licensing 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Commence review and planning work for frequency bands where management rights are due to expire from 2028 to 2031

This includes:

  • 2500 and 2600 MHz, expires 31 December 2028 review commences around 2023-2024
  • 2300 MHz, expires 25 November 2030 review commences around 2024
  • AM and FM, expires 2 April 2031 review commences around Q1 2025
  • 700, 850, and 900 MHz expires 28 November 2031 review commences around Q4 2025

Trends:

  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Massive IoT
  • Private networks and industry verticals 
  • Spectrum sharing and efficient use of spectrum 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Investigate ways to get more use out of the radio spectrum

Adopt tighter spectrum practice including spectrum sharing, tiered and dynamic access mechanisms. 

Trends:

  • Satellites in space 
  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Massive IoT
  • Private networks and industry verticals 
  • Use of higher frequencies
  • Spectrum sharing and efficient use of spectrum 
  • General user licensing 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Complete the review the 2575 – 2620 MHz Managed Spectrum Park

Trends:

  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Massive IoT
  • Private networks and industry verticals 
  • Spectrum sharing and efficient use of spectrum 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Investigate and plan for 40 GHz mmWave, particularly 40.5 - 43.5 GHz and 40 - 50 GHz QV band satellite

Trends:

  • Use of higher frequencies
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Continue implementation of Crown agreement on radio spectrum with Māori

Trends:

  • Spectrum management and administration 

Regulatory management and administration

Assisting New Zealand Space Agency on issues as they arise

Trends:

  • Satellites in space 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Continue to run the ITU-R Satellite Co-ordination process and keep PIBs
up to date (for example, PIB 60)

And engage space and satellite service providers on New Zealand regulatory settings as they arise.

Trends:

  • Satellites in space 
  • General user licensing 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Adapt and update licensing frameworks and processes as required for both space and terrestrial systems

Trends:

  • General user licensing 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Scope issues and develop proposals to modernise the Radiocommunications Act 1989 including relating to spectrum sharing

Trends:

  • Spectrum management and administration 

Continue to proactively engage in the APT ITU, WRC and international issues relating to radio spectrum

Trends:

  • Spectrum management and administration 

Develop and implement revised operational approach to small cell network licensing

Trends:

  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Massive IoT
  • Private networks and industry verticals
  • Spectrum sharing and efficient use of spectrum 
  • General user licensing 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Develop options for law enforcement agencies regarding use of wireless electronic counter measures and associated technologies

Trends:

  • Satellites in space 
  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Private networks and industry verticals 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Keep the government policy statement for radio licencing updated as required

Trends:

  • General user licensing 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Keep the PIBs updated as required

Trends:

  • Satellites in space 
  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Massive IoT
  • Private networks and industry verticals 
  • Use of higher frequencies
  • Spectrum sharing and efficient use of spectrum 
  • General user licensing 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Consider updates to General User Licences, particularly for short-range devices

Trends:

  • General user licensing 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Start the review the Radio Spectrum Licensing Fees regime in 2023

Trends:

  • Spectrum management and administration 

Continue managing licencing within Crown spectrum holdings

Trends:

  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Massive IoT
  • Private networks and industry verticals 
  • Spectrum sharing and efficient use of spectrum 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Continue implementation of the new RRF

Trends:

  • Spectrum management and administration 

Continue investigations work

Trends:

  • Spectrum management and administration 

Investigate ways to build capability in the Radiocommunications sector including through the training of Approved Radio Engineers and Certifiers

Trends:

  • Spectrum management and administration 

Monitoring items

Monitor international developments on telemetry, short messaging, and low-data-rate IoT satellites

Trends:

  • Satellites in space 
  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Massive IoT
  • General user licensing 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Monitor developments and sharing arrangements in 3.8 – 4.2 GHz

Trends:

  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Massive IoT
  • Private networks and industry verticals
  • Spectrum sharing and efficient use of spectrum 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Monitor developments for mobile in 1427 - 1518 MHz and mobile satellite services in 1518 - 1525 MHz

Trends:

  • Satellites in space 
  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Monitor 5.875 - 5.925 GHz for Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

Trends:

  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Massive IoT
  • Spectrum sharing and efficient use of spectrum 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Monitor potential developments in 1880 - 1920 MHz including spectrum for rail

Trends:

  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Massive IoT
  • Private networks and industry verticals 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Monitor developments Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) systems in the 5.925 - 6.425 GHz frequency range for this region

Trends:

  • Spectrum sharing and efficient use of spectrum 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Monitor developments in E band Satellite systems in 70 / 80 GHz

Trends:

  • Satellites in space 
  • Use of higher frequencies
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Monitor developments in new 6G mobile technology and next generation mobile technologies and standards

Trends:

  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Spectrum sharing and efficient use of spectrum 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Monitor developments in Non-Terrestrial Networks and Direct to Device and other space sector developments

Trends:

  • Satellites in space 
  • Mobile data traffic 
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Monitor international developments in spectrum sharing, tiered and dynamic access mechanisms

Trends:

  • Spectrum sharing and efficient use of spectrum
  • Spectrum management and administration 

Monitoring sector needs, training and qualifications for radio specialists

Trends:

  • Spectrum management and administration 

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