Cancel a licence

Licences in the Register of Radio Frequencies can be either radio or spectrum licences. Learn more about radio and spectrum licences.

• Cancel a radio licence 
• Cancel a spectrum licence

Cancel a radio licence

Radio licence holders can use SMART to view their licence details and to request cancellation of radio licences that are no longer needed.

How do I cancel a radio licence?

Online

To cancel a simple radio licence (e.g. land mobile simplex) simply;

• Logon to SMART,  with your User Name and Password to access the cancellation menu
• Select Manage Licences > Cancel Radio Licence
• Select [Search] to view all your radio licences or enter the relevant licence number and select [Search]
• Tick the Cancel check-box next to licence(s) you wish to cancel (select the hyperlink to check your licence before cancelling)
   

• Select [Continue]
• Select [Cancel Licences] to confirm cancellation.

To cancel a complex radio licence (e.g. point to multipoint or point to point), follow the simple licence process above, but be aware that only the primary licence will display the Cancel check-box.

Once the primary licence is cancelled all associated licences are cancelled simultaneously.

Cancellations of complex licence types are subject to Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) Licensing Manager approval to ensure against partial cancellations of transmitting networks. In such cases RSM may contact the licence holder to verify information regarding the cancellation request.

Once your licence has been cancelled, you will receive email notification.

By Email 

If you do not have online access to SMART you can email us advising the licence number(s) you wish to cancel. You may be asked to provide additional proof that you are the licence holder. This option does not apply to spectrum licences.

Cancel a spectrum licence

This procedure applies to spectrum licences only.

What is required?

A statutory form Notice of cancellation of spectrum licence (Form 10) is required to cancel a spectrum licence.

A form 10 that intends to cancel a spectrum licence is not valid until it is registered in the Register of Radio Frequencies.

A current rightholder (holder of the spectrum licence) or a manager (manager of management right) can start the cancellation of a spectrum licence (depending on the licence’s cancel authority). This can be done electronically in SMART, by either party submitting a form 10 to the Registrar of Radio Frequencies.  If applicable both parties will be electronically notified by the Registrar once the cancellation has been registered.

Cancellation of a licence by the rightholder alone or manager alone requires a statutory declaration as prescribed under sections 57 and 57A of the Radiocommunications Act 1989.  The statutory declaration must accompany the Form 10 to the Registrar.

Online spectrum licence cancellation 

• Logon to SMART, with your User Name and Password to access the cancellation menu

• Select Manage Licences > Spectrum Licence Forms > Cancel Spectrum Licence

• Select [Search] to view all your spectrum licences or enter the relevant licence number and select [Search]

• Select the licence number you wish to cancel, then the [Select] button

• A Form 10 will then be displayed. Note a spectrum band manager may need to approve the cancellation. If so, select the [Notify Manager] button. Otherwise, select the [Submit Form 10] button.

• After the Registrar of Radio Frequencies registers the online form, only then will your licence be cancelled.

• Once your licence has been cancelled, you will receive email notification.

Paper Form 10 spectrum licence cancellation

A paper Form 10 can still be presented to the Registrar for registration.  The following applies;

• The Form 10 must be in duplicate (two originals)

• The correct licence cancel authority option must be identified on the Form 10  i.e. rightholder alone or manager alone or rightholder and manager

• Both originals must have the full name of the rightholder or manager or both where applicable

• Both originals must specify the spectrum licence number

• Both originals must be dated and signed by the correct authority above

• Both originals must have the name of the actual person signing the Form 10 (on behalf of the rightholder or manager)

• Both originals must be signed by a witness

• Cancellation of a licence by the rightholder alone or manager alone requires a statutory declaration as prescribed under sections 57 and 57A of the Radiocommunications Act 1989.  The statutory declaration must accompany the Form 10 to the Registrar

• Include a covering letter with a brief explanation to the Registrar

A paper Form 10 can be delivered in person or by post. It is Radio Spectrum Management’s strong recommendation that posted Form 10s are sent by registered courier.

Form 10s are received at three different locations depending on who the owner of the management right is:

Either:

1. Where Manager consent is required in a Crown Management Right please courier to:

Crown Spectrum Asset Manager
Radio Spectrum Policy and Planning
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
33 Bowen Street
Wellington 6011

2. Where Manager consent is required in a private Management Right please courier to the relevant private Manager.

3. Where consent is not required please courier to:

The Registrar of Radio Frequencies
Level 5
33 Bowen Street
Wellington 6011
New Zealand

NOTE:  If your licence cancellation is started in SMART, then this paper Form 10 is not required - submitting a form 10 online is immediate.

Please note our Disclaimer regarding legal advice. 

Need help?

You can contact us on free phone 0508 RSM INFO (0508 776 463) if you need assistance with cancelling your licence(s).

Cancel a radio licence - By email

Send an email to info@rsm.govt.nz with the subject line “Cancellation of Radio Licence(s)”.