7. Summary of questions

This section summarises the questions from sections 5 and 6.

Question 1

Do you agree with licensing Amateur radio use in the 50 – 51 MHz band on a sole Primary basis?

Question 2

Do you agree with licensing Amateur radio use in the 51 – 54 MHz band on a shared basis with Fixed and Mobile services?

Question 3

Do you consider any new spectrum allocation policies and planning should be developed to utilise the bands 54 – 68 and 174 – 230 MHz bands prior to the expiry of the current Management Rights in 2015? If so what services and at what time?

Question 4

Do you agree with approximately 100MHz of the band being considered for allocation to new uses on a nationwide basis? If not, what would you prefer and why?

Question 5

Do you agree with a core reservation for digital television of approximately 1/3rd of the UHF band on a nationwide basis? If not, what would you prefer and why?

Question 6

Do you agree with approximately 1/3rd of band being allocated on a geographic basis to meet television licence commitments in urban areas, and to allow new uses in other areas? If not, what would you prefer and why?

Question 7

What specific types of service do you think are desirable as new uses in areas outside of areas where there are digital television licence commitments? Do you have any views on how access to the licences necessary for such usage should be managed?

Question 8

Do you agree with the n + 2 basis for licensing of digital television? If not, what would you prefer and why?

Question 9

Do you agree with placement at the upper end of the frequency range, from approximately 700 MHz upwards? If not, what would you prefer and why?

Question 10

Do you agree with the placement of the spectrum released in geographic areas in two portions, i.e. from approximately 500 to 550 MHz and from approximately 650 to 700 MHz? If not, what would you prefer and why?

Question 11

What opportunities do you envisage for the promotion of te reo Māori me ngā tikanga Māori which need consideration in a revised frequency plan?

Question 12

Do you agree with the proposal not to provide for Amateur television services in the UHF band? Please give reasons for your view.

Question 13

What additional services might require further digital licences to be allocated in the transition to full digital broadcasting?

Question 14

Is it desirable for the Crown to retain influence in the end use of any further digital licence set, and should this in turn influence the method of allocation. What method of allocation is preferred? Why?

Question 15

Are the current new licences for radio microphone use in the band 518 – 582, with potential future extension up to 698 MHz, adequate for ongoing use after DSO? If not, what other provision should be considered?

Question 16

Do you agree that new radio microphone use should be restricted in the nationwide released spectrum with effect from 2010, and existing use discontinued after 5 years, as transitional measures? If not, what other provision should be considered?

Question 17

Do you agree with the proposal to establish a preferred band limit at 694 MHz, subject to finalisation as outlined below? If not, what alternative lower limit would you prefer, and why?

Question 18

Do you agree with the proposal to base New Zealand technical planning on the spectrum allocations used in the United States? If not, what alternative allocations would you prefer, and why?

Question 19

Do you agree with the concept of deferring detailed technical subdivision of the released nationwide spectrum, for completion in 2011 (when international trends are anticipated as being resolved), and allocation later in 2011 or 2012? If not what dates would you prefer for completion of planning and allocation?

Question 20

Do you agree with the use of area licences for licensing use of the mixed-use spectrum outside areas of television use? Do you have any views on the technical subdivision of spectrum or the preferred allocation method?

Question 21

Do you envisage any requirements by Māori interests for use of either the nationwide or geographic mixed-use tranches of spectrum? Please identify potential uses and any specific technical issues associated with planning for such uses.

Question 22

Are there are any other issues not fully covered in Section 5 that you consider should be taken into account? .Please indicate these as specifically as possible with your response.

Question 23

Are any international approaches applicable to New Zealand? If so, how might they work?

Question 24

Would geographic expansion of terrestrial coverage provide a solution to you as a broadcaster or other interested party? Please state reasons why, or why not. What level of expansion do you see as desirable and economically viable?

Question 25

What difficulties or opportunities do you perceive for your regional service in gaining access to transmission capacity on digital licences held by another party? Please state reasons for your answer.

Question 26

Could you envisage co-operating with other regional broadcasters to share a digital licence? If so, how would this work?

Question 27

What other options are there for providing licence capacity for regional broadcasting? How would you envisage these working?

Question 28

Is satellite transmission a feasible option for regional broadcasting? Why or why not?

Question 29

Would content aggregation be a feasible option for you as a regional broadcaster? Why or why not? Would you consider either a terrestrial, satellite or hybrid platform as being feasible and economically viable?

Question 30

Given the difficulties associated with stand-alone transmission in a digital environment, how could such an option work for regional broadcasters?

Question 31

Should the “must-carry” obligation on the current licences be re-negotiated to either expand the provision, or ensure it continues beyond DSO? What features do you consider important and why?

Question 32

Are the current arrangements for access to either the Freeview or SKY satellite platforms satisfactory? If not, what other provisions do you see as appropriate?

Question 33

Are there any other measures in relation to transmission or to broadcasting platforms (including EPG arrangements) that should be considered?

Question 34

Is broadband a feasible delivery option for regional services? Why or why not?

Question 35

How would you manage the potential time gap between DSO and full roll-out of ultra-fast broadband and/or regional broadband infrastructure?

Question 36

How will you make an assessment of the optimal time to commence digital simulcast of you analogue service?

Question 37

How does the regional television service contribute to the communities in your area? How might this contribution or role of the broadcaster change post-DSO?

Question 38

How do regional broadcasters currently generate income or other support for their operations? In your view, which business models are likely to be successful post-DSO?

Question 39

If limited government support were available to assist regional broadcasters with the transition to digital transmission, what would be the priority? Why?