Managed Spectrum Park ballot process

Applications for Managed Spectrum Park (MSP) licences are published on our website. Interested parties are allowed to submit a competing application within 30 working days of the application being advertised.

On this page

When a ballot is required

If there are competing applicants for an advertised Managed Spectrum Park (MSP) licence, and we don't receive an acceptable solution agreed by all parties within 1 month, we'll hold a ballot to eliminate one of the competing applications. An additional competing applicant will be eliminated by ballot every month until either a solution is agreed (eg, technical compatibility, or voluntary withdrawal from the ballot), or until only one applicant remains. Elimination via ballot is final.

Ballot process for 5 or fewer competing applicants

The ballot process where there are 5 or fewer competing applicants for an MSP licence is outlined below. If there are more than 5 competing applicants, we may choose to eliminate multiple applicants through a single ballot.

Notification of ballot

The date and time of the ballot will be published on the Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) website.

  • Each competing applicant will be notified by email before the ballot.
  • The competing applicants, or nominees of their choice, are welcome to attend.

Supervision of the ballot

The ballot will be supervised by an independent solicitor or Justice of the Peace (the “Supervisor”):

  • The Supervisor will assure themselves that the ballot has been carried out properly in accordance with this process and the Managed Spectrum Park (MSP) allocation rules (see link below).
  • If they're satisfied that the ballot has been carried out properly, they will sign a statement at the end of the ballot, certifying:
    • that the ballot was properly carried out
    • the result of that ballot.
  • RSM keeps signed statement.

Managed Spectrum Park Allocation Rules [PDF, 431 KB]

After the ballot

The remaining competing applicants will have a further month to negotiate a proposed solution in accordance with the MSP allocation rules. If they can't reach agreement about a proposed solution within this time, a further ballot will be held to eliminate another competing applicant from the group.

Managed Spectrum Park Allocation Rules [PDF, 431 KB]

If the ballot results in there being only 1 competing applicant left, the proposal in their application will be deemed to be a proposed solution (in accordance with clause 4.10 of the MSP allocation rules) — subject to any amendments that may be proposed to enable an Approved Radio Engineer certificate to be issued in accordance with the engineering rules.

PIB 39: Spectrum Licence Certification Rules for Crown Management Rights — Engineering Rules and Information for Approved Radio Engineers [PDF, 1.3 MB]

Notifications of MSP licence ballots

This table lists all the ballots that have been carried out for MSP licences since 2011.

Location, date and time Details
MBIE, 25 The Terrace, Wellington, Wednesday 9 June 2021 at 11:30am Elimination ballot to cover the removal of 1 of the 2 applicants from the competing 2.5GHz MSP licence applications received in Notice 66 for licences within the Auckland City territorial local authority area. The applicants in the ballot were:
  • Compass Communications Limited
  • Blue Door Corporation Limited
Blue Door Corporation Limited was eliminated from the application round by ballot. Compass Communications was the sole remaining applicant and their proposal in their application was deemed to be a proposed solution.
MBIE, 15 Stout Street, Wellington, Monday 12 October 2015 at 10:00am Elimination ballot to cover the removal of 1 of the 2 applicants from the competing 2.5GHz MSP licence applications received for licences within the Whangarei District territorial local authority area.
MBIE, 33 Bowen Street, Wellington, Friday 16 August 2013 at 11:30am Final elimination ballots to cover the removal of one applicant from:
  • The final 2 competing 2.5GHz MSP licence applications received for the Picton/Sounds sectors of the Marlborough territorial local authority area.The final applicant for licences will be required to ensure in conjunction with other applicants in the TLA area that their licences will not interfere with each other prior to registration.
  • The final 2 competing 2.5GHz MSP licence applications received for the Kapiti territorial local authority area. The final applicant for licences will be required to enter into a proximal agreement regarding licences to be granted in the Horowhenua TLA and any other TLAs that may be affected.
MBIE, 33 Bowen Street, Wellington, Thursday 2 May 2013 at 11:30am Elimination ballot to cover the removal of one applicant from 3 competing 2.5GHz MSP licence applications received for the Picton/Sounds sectors of the Marlborough territorial local authority area. Final applicants for licences will be required to ensure in conjunction with other applicants in the TLA area that their licences will not interfere with each other prior to registration.
MBIE, 33 Bowen Street, Wellington, Friday 17 August 2012 at 11:30am Elimination ballots to cover the removal of one applicant from competing 2.5GHz MSP licence applications received for each of the following territorial local authority areas:
  • Queenstown (subject to no executed sharing agreement having been received by the Crown Spectrum Asset Manager by 4:30pm on 16 August)
  • Masterton
  • Whangarei.
MBIE, 33 Bowen Street, Wellington, Friday 29 July at 1:30pm Elimination ballot to cover the removal of one applicant from competing 2.5GHz MSP licence applications received for each of the following territorial local authority areas:
  • Masterton
  • Whangarei.
MBIE, 33 Bowen Street, Wellington, Friday 27 April 2012 at 11:30am Elimination ballot to cover the removal of one applicant from competing 2.5GHz MSP licence applications received for each of the following territorial local authority areas:
  • Queenstown
  • Palmerston North.
MBIE, 33 Bowen Street, Wellington, Tuesday 13 March 2012 at 11:30am Elimination ballot to cover the removal of one applicant from competing 2.5GHz MSP licence applications received for each of the following territorial local authority areas:
  • Palmerston North
  • Wanganui
  • Napier
  • Hastings
  • Dunedin.
MBIE, 33 Bowen Street, Wellington, Tuesday 24 January 2012 Further ballot to cover the removal of one more applicant from the 2.5GHz MSP licence applications received for the contested areas in the Queenstown Lakes Territorial Local Authority Area. The applicants in the ballot are:
  • Araneo Ltd
  • Fishnet Ltd
  • BWA4U Ltd
  • Netsmart Ltd.
MBIE, 33 Bowen Street, Wellington, Friday 16 December 2011 Ballot to cover the removal of one applicant from the 2.5GHz MSP licence applications received for the contested areas in the Queenstown Lakes Territorial Local Authority Area. The applicants in the ballot are:
  • Araneo Ltd
  • Fishnet Ltd
  • BWA4U Ltd
  • Netsmart Ltd
  • Queenstown Lakes District Council.