Australians’ love of smartphones and tablet devices has sparked a rapid increase in demand for downloading data on the run, but the spectrum needed to feed that desire is already in short supply and more will need to be found in the next 10 years, according to the Australian Communications and Media Authority.In a paper released today, ACMA will outline how the country’s appetite for mobile broadband means it will require an additional 300MHz of spectrum by 2020.To read this report in The Australian in full, see:
www.theaustralian.com.au/business/push-to-plug-the-gap-in-wireless-spectrum/story-e6frg8zx-1226049450443Also see:Mobile broadband traffic to soar exponentially
Mobile broadband traffic will be 1000 times higher by the end of this decade than in 2007, requiring more spectrum to be allocated to mobile companies, the communications regulator will warn today.About 1100 megahertz of spectrum will have to be allocated to mobile broadband by 2020 to accommodate the expected growth, 300 megahertz more than is available today.
www.smh.com.au/business/mobile-broadband-traffic-to-soar-20110503-1e6nd.html
www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/team-ted-sings-precisely-to-the-election-tune-20110503-1e6w0.html
www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/mobile-broadband-traffic-to-soar-exponentially-20110504-1e78l.html
www.watoday.com.au/technology/technology-news/mobile-broadband-traffic-to-soar-exponentially-20110504-1e78l.htmlTowards 2020 — Future spectrum requirements for mobile broadband [news release]
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released the first in a series of papers signalling its intention to develop a future spectrum management strategy to meet the longer term needs of the mobile broadband industry while ensuring that the needs of incumbent users are also taken into account. The paper seeks comment from stakeholders on a number of spectrum management issuesThe discussion paper, Towards 2020 — Future spectrum requirements for mobile broadband looks at frequency bands and services below 6 GHz that could possibly be made available for mobile broadband and invites stakeholders to comment on these. The paper also invites comments on options for mobile broadband beyond 6 GHz and the potential for these bands to be used for in-home and personal communications services.The discussion paper has the following objectives:
- to identify the baseline spectrum requirements for future mobile broadband services;
- to consider the needs of incumbent services;
- to consider strategies to be used to reduce the overall quantum of spectrum that may be required; and
- to gather information from affected stakeholders regarding the impact of emerging technologies and the associated benefits that they offer to the communications environment.
Submissions received in response to this paper will assist the ACMA in developing a spectrum management strategy that focuses on emerging technologies and mobile broadband services.Discussion Paper
Towards 2020 — Future spectrum requirements for mobile broadband
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WebsitesWireless Access Services
ACMA Communications Reports
900 MHz Band – Exploring new opportunities
Five-Year Spectrum Outlook 2011-2015SubmissionsThe ACMA invites submissions on the issues raised in this discussion paper. The closing date for submissions to this discussion paper is 1 July 2011Submissions and any related queries can be forwarded by email to: WAS-planning@acma.gov.auOr send by mail to:The Manager
Major Allocations Engineering Section
Spectrum Infrastructure Branch
Australian Communications and Media Authority
PO Box 78
Belconnen ACT 2616
Publication of submissionsIn general, the ACMA publishes all submissions it receives.The ACMA prefers to receive submissions which are not claimed to be confidential. However, the ACMA accepts that a submitter may sometimes wish to provide information in confidence. In these circumstances, submitters are asked to identify the material over which confidentiality is claimed and provide a written explanation for confidentiality claims.The ACMA will consider each claim for confidentiality on a case by case basis. If the ACMA accepts a confidentiality claim, it will not publish the confidential information unless required to do so by law.When can ACMA be required by law to release information?Any submissions provided to the ACMA may be released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. The ACMA may also be required to release submissions for other reasons including for the purpose of parliamentary processes or where otherwise required by law (for example a court subpoena). While the ACMA seeks to consult submitters of confidential information before that information is provided to another body or agency, the ACMA cannot guarantee that confidential information will not be released through these or other legal means.
www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_312514ACMA considers future spectrum for mobile broadband [news release]The Australian Communications and Media Authority has released two papers signalling its intention to develop a future spectrum strategy that unlocks significant spectrum for mobile broadband and makes the best use of current and future technologies.Towards 2020 — Future spectrum requirements for mobile broadband, considers a broad range of issues intended to meet the longer term spectrum needs of the Australian mobile broadband industry while the 900 MHz Band — Exploring new opportunities paper looks at options to replan that particular band to improve its utility.’The ACMA is keen to hear from stakeholders on a number of relevant issues, including whether greater spectral efficiency could be achieved by network operators in their existing spectrum holdings,’ said ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman.Towards 2020 — Future spectrum requirements for mobile broadband, considers a very broad range of issues intended to meet the longer term spectrum needs of Australians and the mobile broadband industry.It also provides detail on the existing mobile broadband environment in Australia and the ACMA’s ongoing analysis of the quantum of spectrum required to meet projected demand.900 MHz Band — Exploring new opportunities looks at options to replan that band. This spectrum is used to support a number of services including major mobile telecommunications networks such as Telstra’s Next G network and Telstra, Optus and Vodafone’s GSM and 3G networks.’The review of the 900 MHz band is an exciting ACMA spectrum reform initiative, which will continue over what is likely to be a number of years,’ Mr Chapman said. ‘The aim of this review is to consider the current regulatory arrangements in the 900 MHz band to ensure they best embrace technological developments.’It’s an ideal opportunity for stakeholders to consider their needs and put forward their ideas for improvements to arrangements in this band.’A useful synopsis of the Towards 2020 paper can be found on the ACMA’s Engage website. The closing date for submissions on the 900 MHz Band paper is 24 June and 1 July for the Towards 2020 paper.The two papers have been released in the lead up to ACMA’s spectrum management conference, RadComms2011 on 26 & 27 May in Sydney. The mobile broadband project will feature as a topic for discussion at the conference and the ACMA is keen to facilitate discussion. Details are available at www.acma.gov.au/radcomms2011.For more information or to arrange an interview please contact: Emma Rossi, Media Manager, on (02) 9334 7719, 0434 652 063 or media@acma.gov.au.# # #The ACMA is Australia’s regulator for broadcasting, the internet, radiocommunications and telecommunications. The ACMA’s strategic intent is to make communications and media work in Australia’s public interest. For more information: www.acma.gov.au
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