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Introduction
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Ultra Wide Band (UWB) is a radio technology developed to transmit information at low levels of power spectral density, near the noise floors of radio receivers and spanning bandwidths in the order of Gigahertz. This characteristic makes the short range transmission of information at very high data rates possible. Theoretically, communication devices using UWB techniques can share spectrum with other licensed services without producing harmful interference to those services.
New Zealand has already implemented a regulatory framework for UWB technology; UWB radar under a GUL and imaging applications under radio licensing. These licensing arrangements have been in place since 2005 without reports of any interference issues. Licensing of UWB communications applications however have not been finalised in New Zealand, pending international developments. That is, interim licences have been issued by the Ministry only on a case by case basis for the trialling of UWB communication devices.
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) released in 2006 a series of recommendations on UWB, identifying unlicensed approaches as best suited for UWB communications. Between 2002 and 2007, several administrations have adopted unlicensed frameworks for the adoption of UWB communications including the USA, Europe and various Asia Pacific nations. These frameworks include the requirement to conform with specific spectral masks and operational conditions in order to protect existing radiocommunication services. These recent international developments on UWB regulation require New Zealand to review its current licensing approach on UWB communication applications.
The Ministry encourages economic growth through technological innovation, and therefore wishes to consult with industry on appropriate regulatory frameworks for UWB communications in New Zealand.
The aim of this discussion paper is to find an appropriate licensing arrangement for UWB communications in New Zealand. The paper considers recent developments in the regulation of UWB communications and related technical standards adopted by our trading partners internationally. It solicits the opinions of UWB vendors, potential operators, existing spectrum users and other stakeholders on appropriate technical standards and a number of related issues.
Invitation for submissions
Comments on the questions contained in this paper and on any related issues, are invited from interested parties. Written submissions should be sent no later than [15 May 2008] to:
or emailed to:
radiospectrum@med.govt.nz (preferred option)
Posting and release of submissions
The Ministry intends to publish all submissions on its website at http://www.med.govt.nz. The Ministry will consider you to have consented to the publication of your submission, unless clearly specified otherwise in your submission.
Please advise the Ministry of any objection to the release of any information contained in a submission to this document, and in particular, which parts should be withheld, together with the reasons for withholding them. The Ministry will take into account all such objections when responding to requests for information on submissions to this document under the Official Information Act 1982.
Privacy Act 1993
The Privacy Act 1993 establishes certain principles with respect to the collection, use and disclosure by various agencies including the Ministry, of information relating to individuals and access by individuals to information relating to them held by such agencies. Any personal information you supply to the Ministry in the course of making a submission will be used by the Ministry in conjunction with considerations of matters covered by this document only. Please clearly indicate in your submission if you do not wish your name to be included in any summary the Ministry may prepare for public release on submissions received.
