3. Regulatory options for New Zealand

Four regulatory options have been considered.  They are:

1. Status Quo - Continuation of individual licensing

This option requires individual assessment of each application and is therefore unsuitable for widespread application of UWB communication technology in New Zealand. Such an approach could be expected to be reviewed again at a future date. The approach is therefore seen as interim.

Applications are likely to be based on a spectrum mask and conditions applicable in the market where the technology was sourced. This could result in a variety of different technical standards operating in New Zealand.

This approach would impose some additional costs on importers and/or applicants and would be not consistent with harmonisation of standards with other countries. It provides a clear regulatory control, although it may not prove practicable to control importation of products not yet licensed over the medium term.

2. A general user licence using the USA spectrum mask

This option establishes a longer term licensing approach, with use of the USA mask. This is the least restrictive mask, which could lead to long term incompatibility between UWB and other licensed services.

The USA emission mask was developed using early studies of pulsed emissions, but not OFDM technologies. The use of two different masks, for indoor and for outdoor use, maximises UWB potential, but may also lead to compliance questions when users deploy systems sold locally to best meet their needs irrespective of the General User Licence restrictions.

3. A general user licence using the European spectrum mask

This option establishes a longer term licensing approach, with use of the European mask. This is more restrictive than the USA mask, and is intended to provide adequate technical protection for fixed microwave and satellite services.

The harmonised approach adopted in Europe is based on a set of ETSI and IEC standards which gives a greater technical robustness to this approach.

4. A general user licence using the Korean/Japanese spectrum mask

This option establishes a longer term licensing approach, with use of the spectrum mask applicable in Korea, Japan and Singapore. This is a hybrid approach which includes some features of both the USA and European requirements. In addition, there are some requirements which are specific to these Asian countries. If adopted, these mitigation techniques could lead to a higher cost implementation in New Zealand.

This approach may be unduly restrictive in New Zealand which does not need the specific requirements of the countries concerned. In addition the countries concerned are still expected to revise their requirements in the near future. Using this spectrum mask would also limit the scope for harmonisation with other markets such as Europe or USA.