Media releases

Find the latest media releases about radio spectrum from our Ministers and Radio Spectrum Management.

If you have a media enquiry, contact the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Media line on 027 442 2141 or email media@mbie.govt.nz.

In February 2019, the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media announced that the 3.5 GHz band will be allocated for national 5G networks. Spectrum rights will be allocated by auction in 2020 and ready for use from November 2022. Spectrum will also be available to regional wireless broadband service providers in the band. Allocation details of these regional spectrum rights are expected to be announced later this year. • View the Minister for Communications’ announcement on 5G spectrum in the 3.5 GHz band - February 2019.

5G on track for 2020: 3.5 GHz spectrum the first available

The first allocation of 5G spectrum will be the 3.5 GHz band, with national rights to this portion of the spectrum expected to be auctioned early in 2020, Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media Hon Kris Faafoi announced today.

New radio spectrum licence fees from October

Published 1 August 2017 - A simplified radio spectrum licence fee structure, which will see most users charged less, will commence 1 October as announced by the Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) today.

Minister announces outcome of radio spectrum fees review

Published 11 April 2017 - Communications Minister Simon Bridges has today announced a reduction in radio spectrum fees and a simplified regime, to come into effect later this year.

Record result for new radio licences

Published 4 December 2014 - An auction of new radio spectrum licences has fetched almost $17.4 million says Communications and Broadcasting Minister Amy Adams.

Minister announces draft white space licencing rules

Published 29 August 2014 - Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has today announced draft licencing rules for the use of television white space devices in New Zealand.

Auction of AM and FM licences for radio broadcasting

Published 20 June 2014 - Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has today announced more than 100 licences for AM and FM radio broadcasting will be auctioned later this year.

Radio spectrum auction completed

Published 19 June 2014 - Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams today announced the auction of the 700 MHz band of radio spectrum has now been completed, with specific frequencies assigned to successful bidders Telecom, Vodafone and 2degrees.

4G mobile technology a step closer

Published 30 May 2014 - Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams says 4G mobile technology is a step closer following the Commerce Commerce’s decision to grant Telecom clearance to acquire 2x20 MHz in the 700 MHz band.

Allocation options for 700 MHz radio spectrum

Published 23 May 2014 - Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams has today announced the two sets of options that will be used for assigning the 700 MHz radio spectrum band between the successful bidders in the Government’s recent auction.