Call for tenders from competing applicants

On 12 November 2007, the government called for applications (by 5 December 2007) for radio spectrum licences for commercial broadband wireless access services in rural and provincial areas. The second assignment round is for 77 area licence lots based on territorial local authority areas. A first round assignment of 71 licence lots was completed in 2006.

The process for assigning area spectrum licences in the 3.5 GHz spectrum band is in conformity with, and subject to, the Allocation Rules [128 KB PDF].

In accordance with clause 22 of the Allocation Rules, area licence lots are to be offered by way of tender where there are qualified Competing Applications.

If a Competing Applicant wishes to submit a tender, it must do so in accordance with the Package Bid Tender Rules. A Tender must include at least one, and may include no more than five, package bids using the tender response form provided to the Competing Applicant by the Ministry.

The winner of a Lot will be determined by calculating the combination of valid package bids which maximises total revenue over all Lots. A software package, Bid Solver, is used to determine the result.

Only one valid package bid out of each Tender may be successful. This is a closed tender.

Competing Applicants should familiarise themselves with the Package Bid Tender Rules. By submitting a tender, Competing Applicants shall be deemed to have agreed to the terms of the Package Bid Tender Rules. In the event of a conflict, the tender rules prevail over this Call for Tenders.

In accordance with the Tender Rules, Tenders must be delivered by 4.00pm on 14 March 2008 to:

3.5 GHz Reserved Spectrum Tenders
Radio Spectrum Policy and Planning
Energy and Communications Branch
Ministry of Economic Development
33 Bowen Street
P O Box 1473
Wellington.

Fax: +64 4 499 0969

Phrases and terms used in this Call for Tenders are defined in the Allocation Rules [128 KB PDF] or in the Package Bid Tender Rules [262 KB PDF].

The Ministry reserves the unrestricted right to at any time to waive, amend or revoke this Call for Tenders and the Package Bid Tender Rules.

Queries relating to this Call for Tenders should be made to radiospectrum@med.govt.nz.