Renewal of management rights in the 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands

The government is renewing 3G and 4G cellular mobile spectrum management rights in the 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz bands. Renewal offers are being drafted for the current licence holders, following MBIE’s consultation on the bands last year. The purchase price is set at $720,000 per MHz (excluding GST).

The renewed rights will take effect from April 2021. Existing rights in the 2100 MHz band will be offered back to Spark, Vodafone and Hautaki Limited. Telstra’s rights (10MHz) will not be renewed as the spectrum is not currently in use.

Partial renewal of the 1800 MHz band will be offered to Spark, Vodafone and 2degrees. The government has decided to partially renew these bands, and reserve 40 MHz for a later decision. Potential uses for this band include new technologies or a new communications network for emergency services.