1. Purpose

This consultation document discusses the requirements for and seeks submissions on:

1. Plans for transitioning the Low Powered FM (LPFM) lower band from 88.0 - 88.8 MHz to 87.5 - 88.4 MHz;
2. Proposals for modifying the current General User Radio Licence conditions for LPFM Broadcasting Short Range Devices (LPFM GURL) by:
   1. Increasing the permitted transmit power level from 0.5 Watt to 1 Watt e.i.r.p.; and
   2. Including new clauses that will reduce the potential for interference from LPFM services to services in the adjacent landmobile, aeronautical navigation and voice services bands.
       

This consultation document also proposes the introduction of a temporary General User Spectrum Licence (GUSL) that will provide additional capacity during the transition period when changes in the adjacent landmobile A band and VHF-FM band will restrict the number of LPFM frequencies available (1 June 2010 to 2 April 2011).

In this document, requirements that are proposed for both the GURL and GUSL are referred to as applying to the GUL.

This document relates primarily to technical changes, rather than policy proposals.