Summary of submissions and outcomes

UWB Communications: Report on Outcomes of Industry Consultation

Ultra Wide Band technology opportunities

- July 2008

The Ministry of Economic Development has released a report on spectrum allocations for ultra wide band (UWB) communication devices, following a public consultation process. The report summarises the submissions received from industry and other stakeholders and outlines licensing arrangements to accommodate UWN communication applications.

A potential widespread application of UWB communication devices is high-speed wireless networking in the workplace or at home, enabling the wireless connection of laptops to the office LAN; wireless data streaming from a camcorder to the hard drive of a PC; and delivering wireless connections between stereo-systems, DVD players, computers, displays and loud speakers.

Other prospective applications include the high precision location of moving or stationary items, in real time. These include tracking players within sports stadiums, tagging cattle and locating goods in warehouses.

The Ministry will issue a General User Licence (GUL) for UWB communication devices in New Zealand on a ‘non-interference, non-protected’ basis based on the European post 2010 framework, commencing September 2008.

“There is widespread positive interest in new UWB communication applications. These licensing arrangements will enable New Zealand firms to reap the benefits from new and innovative solutions using this new technology as early as possible, while minimising its risks to existing services,” the Ministry said.

The report can be viewed here.

For enquiries, contact the Ministry’s Radio Spectrum Policy and Planning group at radiospectrum@med.govt.nz.