Executive summary

In 2008, the Ministry published a discussion paper entitled “High Capacity Short-Haul Point-to-Point Linking in the 70-90 GHz Band” for consultation in detail on the optimal spectrum management framework to provide access to the 70-90 GHz band, following previous work to identify spectrum allocation opportunities for broadband wireless access.

Responses to the consultation process are analysed within this summary of submissions paper. The analysis indicates that access to the 70-90 GHz band for fixed point-to-point linking is desired by New Zealand industry.

The analysis concludes that access to the 70-90 GHz band should be via the administrative radio licensing process, using the Register of Radio Frequencies as a centralised database of licences, with licence certification using approved radio engineers or certifiers. The Ministry of Economic Development’s (MED) standard compliance and audit procedures would also be applicable, and each licence application granted would incur a $200 annual fee as prescribed by the current fee schedule for fixed links.

Guidance was sought on the technical specifications that should be applied to the 70-90 GHz band. The consultation process revealed that the proposed set of technical parameters that cover the broadest range of equipment available, without unduly affecting good spectrum management principles, is optimal.

This paper reviews the submissions and identifies the next steps to fully implement the results of the consultation.