Current and upcoming spectrum auctions

Information about current and upcoming spectrum auctions can be found on this page.

Auction 21

We have released details for the sale of one FM commercial sound broadcasting licence at Pukeuri in the Waitaki District.  This type of licence is contestable.

When someone applies for a licence, we call for expressions of interest (EOI).  The licence for sale is:

Licence Transmit Location Frequency (MHz FM) Reserve Price (Incl. GST) Licence No.
Pukeuri (Waitaki District) 91.2 MHz (FM) $1,150 274492(external link)

A public auction for this licence will start on Wednesday 15 July 2020 on the Trade Me website, for a duration of seven days.  Skylarc will manage the auction. 

The licence is in the Crown’s name. We will transfer the licence to the winning bidder once you've paid Skylarc and signed the Crown's Agreement.  Signing the agreement enforces the implementation rules for you to get your licence.  This means  you must:

  • Pay a one off spectrum resource fee.
  • Set up your broadcasting service within 2 years of getting your licence.  You need to be on air within 21 months or you could lose your frequency.
  • Pay an annual fee to keep your licence current.  The licence is valid until 2 April 2031.

You can change the licence parameters from those currently licensed.  You need to get an approved radio engineer to do this.  We won’t accept modifications if they substantially decrease service to the public. 

View the Sound Broadcasting Auction Catalogue for Auction 21 [PDF, 591 KB]

View the Sound Broadcasting Auction 21 sample contract agreement [PDF, 298 KB]

Skylarc - View Skylark online auctions experts(external link)

Find an approved radio engineer

Auction 20

In May 2020, the commercial auction for early access to the 3.5 GHz band designed for 5G was cancelled. Instead, a direct allocation process will be undertaken. Offers will be made of 40 MHz to Dense Air, 60 MHz to Spark, and 60 MHz to 2degrees.

Details about the cancelled auction can be found here

If you would like to receive email updates about the allocation process for early access to the 3.5 GHz band, please subscribe to our mailing list here(external link).

Subscribers will receive updates about the allocation process details as they become publically available. The mailing list is intended for information distribution only – you do not need to provide any details about your organisation.

Subscribers to this mailing list will receive general news about the allocation process.