Radio spectrum auction no. 6

On 23 September 2003 Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey and Associate Communications Minister David Cunliffe announced an auction for additional television, AM and FM broadcasting licences. The auction commenced on 18 November 2003.

Auction Results

Notices: Conclusion of Schedule 2 and Completion of Auction.

Timetable

The timetable was updated every Monday as needed.

Documents

The following documents are now available:

• Notices:

• 18 Dec 2003 - Conclusion of Schedule 2 and Completion of Auction
  
• 5 Dec 2003 - Conclusion of Schedule 1
  
• 5 Dec 2003 - Conclusion of Schedule 4
  
• 2 Dec 2003 - Conclusion of Schedule 3
  
• 28 Nov 2003 - Withdrawal of Lot from Radio Frequency Auction No. 6
  

• Auction Catalogue - 16 Oct 2003
• Bidder's Manual [PIB 26 Issue 7] - Oct 2003
• Table of Lots to Be Offered in the Auction - 23 Sept 2003 - note this has been amended in the Auction Catalogue, see below
• Media Statement: Television and Radio Licences to be Auctioned - 23 Sept 2003 - Media Statement from Hon Steve Maharey, Minister of Broadcasting and Hon David Cunliffe, Associate Minister of Communications
  

The complete details are available in the Auction Catalogue, however bidders should note the points below.

Amendments to Lots

The Auction Catalogue includes the following amendments to the table of lots to be offered in the auction (as announced on 23 September 2003).

• Spectrum licences at Horokaka and Parahaki on 96.0 MHz are intended to operate as part of a synchronous broadcast system, and are being sold as one lot (Schedule 2, lot 2DB);
• A spectrum licence at Kaitaia on 92 MHz has been excluded (Schedule 2);
• A spectrum licence at Forest Height on TV27 has been replaced with a licence at Ngarara on TV27 (Schedule 4, lot 4Gc); and
• A spectrum licence at Ngarara on TV62 has been included (Schedule 4, lot 4GK).

Commerce Act 1986

Bidders should note that section 138 of the Radiocommunications Act provides that, for the purposes of section 47 of the Commerce Act 1986, spectrum licences are deemed to be assets of a business. The Ministry recommends that bidders seek appropriate independent advice if they believe that they may fall outside the Commerce Commission's "safe harbours" test or they have any competition or other compliance concerns about their proposed acquisition.

Bidder's Manual

This document has been revised and updated. The use of the auction software is largely the same as Auction No. 5, however the "look and feel" of the software has altered substantially.

"Mock" Auction

As with previous auctions, it is intended to operate a "mock" auction in the week before the commencement of Auction No. 6. This will allow bidders to familiarise themselves with the auction operation, prior to commencement of the auction. Registered bidders will receive advice about the "mock" auction following completion of registration procedures.

Registered Bidders

The following is a list of bidders registered for the auction: