Licensing

Radio Spectrum Management administers the radio spectrum in New Zealand under the Radiocommunications Act 1989 and its associated regulations. Our role includes:

• Issuing licences to users of the radio spectrum.
• Conducting audits of transmission facilities to ensure that licence holders comply with the terms and conditions of their licence.

Licensing in New Zealand

All persons causing radio waves to be transmitted are required to have a licence to transmit, or a specific legislative exemption from licensing.

Some transmissions are covered by General User Licences (GUL) notified through the New Zealand Gazette. Users of services covered by GUL do not need to apply for an individual licence.

Radio licences

The majority of mobile and fixed radiocommunications services are currently licensed as Radio Licences.

Granting of radio licences is subject to the legislation and Government policy. For more information refer to the Ministerial directive of Statement of Government Policy and Directions to Chief Executive of Ministry of Economic Development.

Spectrum licences

The remainder of radiocommunications and broadcasting services are licensed under a tradeable spectrum rights framework in accordance with Part II of the Radiocommunications Act.

• Find out more about radio and spectrum licence regimes

General User Licences (GUL)

General User Licences provide for certain classes of radio transmitter to be used without the need for the owner to obtain an individual licence in their own name. Provided the equipment meets the applicable technical standards, operates only on the allocated frequencies and meets any other requirements specified in the licence, the equipment may be freely used by anyone in New Zealand.

Licence exemptions

For radio transmitters not covered by a General User Licence an application can be made for an exemption from licensing under regulation 10 of Radiocommunications Regulations 2001. Exemptions will only be considered if, in the opinion of the Chief Executive, a radio licence is not required for the efficient and effective management of the radio spectrum.

Each application will be dealt with on its merits and in accordance with the Act and Regulations.  Contact us to find out more about eligibility for a licence exemption.

Approved Persons framework

The Approved Persons framework allows for competent persons to perform, certification of engineering compatibility or examination and certification of operator competence and allocation of callsigns on behalf of Radio Spectrum Management (RSM).

There are three categories of Approved Persons:

• Approved Radio Engineer (ARE); approved to engineer and certify Spectrum Licences and Radio Licences.
• Approved Radio Certifier (ARC); approved to engineer and certify Radio Licences only.
• Approved Radio Examiner (ARX); approved to conduct examinations and grant operator certificates for maritime, and amateur operator competence. The ARX may also allocate callsigns in certain ranges for the maritime and amateur services.