1. Introduction

Short-range Radiocommunication Devices (SRD) have been used for many years to provide low cost services such as short range telemetry and telecommand, voice/video communications, radio local area networks and security systems. They are defined by the ITU-R as

Radio transmitters which have a low capability of causing interference to other radio equipment.

In recent years there has been rapid growth in the use of SRDs, especially for radio LANs, driven by new technologies and international co-ordination on specifications. The international co-ordination has included attempts to provide common spectrum allocations in the major trading regions to ensure mass markets and minimise the chance of non standard equipment appearing on the market.

The trend in New Zealand has been to adopt international standards wherever possible to take full advantage of the equipment being supplied in the major trading blocks. This has required regular monitoring of trends in the international standards bodies and the major trading regions of USA, Europe, Asia and Australia.

There is also pressure to adopt international trends in New Zealand to meet broader political objectives such as freeing up trade, providing broadband services in rural areas and improving road safety.

Many new technologies find their way into SRD before being introduced into higher power devices. The SRD market provides the economies of scale to help justify the upfront costs of R&D and high level integration. This has been particularly evident in the radio LAN market. The new technologies also introduce pressure for new radio spectrum for SRD and in some cases changing the conditions of use.

The spectrum allocated to Short-range Radiocommunications Devices is managed in New Zealand by issuing a General User Radio Licence specifying the frequency bands where SRD use is permitted and the conditions of use. In other countries including USA and UK they are referred to as "unlicensed equipment", whereas in Australia they are covered by a "Class Licence for Low Interference Potential Devices". In all cases individual licenses are not required, enabling rapid, low cost distribution and deployment of the equipment.

The forces created by international standardisation, the use of new technologies and rapid, low cost deployment are opening up innovative new uses for the radio spectrum. This in turn is providing pressure on some existing spectrum uses to share bands traditional preserved for individually licensed systems with the new SRD applications.

This discussion paper provides the New Zealand industry with the opportunity to comment on the current allocations for SRD and proposals for new allocations of the radio spectrum. With the growth in the SRD worldwide it is anticipated that regular future reviews of the trends in this field of spectrum management will be necessary.