3. Progress on broadcasting projects

3.1 Extensions to the VHF-FM Broadcast Band

Plans for the extensions to the VHF-FM broadcasting band and the roll over of current licences from the current management right (MR143) into a new management right on 3 April 2011 have progressed substantially. VHF-FM broadcasters are currently making use of the rollover requirement to improve their services with more than 100 licence modifications already approved. Some changes have already been implemented in readiness for the rollover date and others are planned that will involve new licences in the band 88.4 - 88.8 MHz. These licences will be implemented after 1 June 2010, when a new temporary management right in that band becomes available.

3.2 Licence Relocations in the Landmobile A Band

The transition of services in the landmobile A band (87.5 - 88 MHz) to other assignments is currently in process. Some licence holders have already moved to new frequencies and others are pending. A majority of licence relocations are expected to be completed by 1 June 2010. Landmobile services that have not been relocated by 1 October 2010 will not be protected from LPFM transmissions.

3.3 LPFM Band Transition Proposals

Current progress with the transition plans for the VHF-FM and landmobile A band will mean that fewer frequencies will be available for LPFM use in the period 1 June 2010 to 1 October 2010, unless additional frequencies can be made available. This would result in the need for some regular local services to cease transmission.

The 800 kHz raster³ allows for the potential availability (on a temporary basis during the transition) of some frequencies adjacent to the edges of the VHF-FM band management right. It is therefore proposed that a temporary LPFM GUSL be used to provide these additional LPFM frequencies.

3.3.1 Transition Plan

Key aspects of the LPFM transition plan are:

• A transition period for the LPFM band changes from 1 June 2010 to 1 October 2010;
• A new LPFM GURL for the period 1 June 2010 to late 2011 (when the new aeronautical standard ICAO 1998 is implemented); and
• A temporary LPFM GUSL in the 88.4 - 88.8 MHz band for the period 1 June 2010 to 2 April 2011.

The overall plan is shown in Figure One, below.

3.3.2 Other Services

In Figure One, the grey shaded areas indicate periods and frequencies where there is potential for LPFM broadcasts to cause interference to landmobile A band and VHF-FM broadcast services.
The protection of land mobile and VHF-FM broadcasting during the transition period will require LPFM operators intending to transmit in the shaded areas to take additional care prior to broadcasting, i.e. LPFM operators will need to be aware of the landmobile and VHF-FM broadcasting services operating in those bands and ensure their services have appropriate frequency and distance separation.

3.3.3 Exclusion Zones

LPFM exclusion zones would provide adequate protection for licensed landmobile and aeronautical services. These zones would constitute areas where all or some LPFM frequencies cannot be used.

3.3.4 LPFM Frequencies

The transition plan’s use of the larger LPFM bandwidth will permit use of two more long-term LPFM frequency, and three more whilst the temporary LPFM GUSL is operating.

In the Auckland area, commercial VHF-FM services currently restrict the use of three lower band LPFM frequencies within 120 km of Skytower. A further three long term LPFM frequencies will be available in the proposed GURL from 1 June 2010.
Details of the available frequencies and the new GURL and GUSL proposals can be found in the attachments to this document.

Question 1

Is the proposal to provide a GUSL for LPFM for the period to 2 April 2011 appropriate? If not, why not?
 

Question 2

Are there aspects of the transition plan you wish to change? What are they and how would they improve the plan?

Footnote

3 A frequency plan adopted to maximise the availability of that band and better manage the potential for interference between high power broadcast services.