Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024N00367:reg:8:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024N00367
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 8 (pt 1/2)
Character Range: 4031–7029

8  3.4 GHz   3400–3700 MHz                   13 December 2030

* This table is intended to cover all licences in the frequency ranges set out above which expire on the relevant expiry date, with the exception of licences in the 1800 MHz band held by metropolitan rail operators, typically in the 1770‑1785 MHz / 1865-1880 MHz range.
Policy context
The expiring spectrum licences process is principally concerned with promoting the long-term public interest derived from use of spectrum, and how that interest can be realised through decisions made in relation to the licenses specified in Table 1 above, and the spectrum to which they relate.
The Government recognises the importance of the spectrum covered by the expiring spectrum licences held in Table 1, as well as the long timeframes required for licensees, or prospective licensees, to plan and deploy services in these frequencies. The ACMA should, where practical, continue to provide timely and transparent information to stakeholders about its views on the expiring spectrum licences and associated spectrum, to support those stakeholders to make informed planning decisions.
The Government recognises that the ACMA will need to carefully consider how to balance the policy objectives in this Ministerial policy statement. The order that the policy objectives are listed in this Ministerial policy statement do not denote an order of precedence. However, in delivering its decisions, views or positions, the ACMA should endeavour to explain how it took into consideration the different policy objectives as well as any other relevant considerations. In some circumstances certain objectives may have greater relevance to particular expiring licences, use of the spectrum, or a specific use case, than other objectives. The ACMA should consider how the objectives can apply to different options for the expiring spectrum licences themselves, and for the underlying spectrum, and how to manage any competing policy priorities.
Where appropriate, in undertaking the expiring spectrum licence process and forming its views on the future use of the spectrum covered by the licences specified in Table 1, the ACMA will need to consider the broader communications environment within which these licences exist. This could include consideration of existing spectrum holdings which are otherwise outside the scope of the expiring spectrum licences process.
The Government recognises the expiring spectrum licences process is one of a number of mechanisms that could be used to advance one or more of the objectives identified in this Ministerial policy statement. In this context, the Government welcomes appropriate complementary activities available to the ACMA within the current radiocommunications regulatory framework to support these outcomes, which may be a more appropriate means for their advancement.
This Ministerial policy statement is made within the context of the Government's broader communications policy agenda, which includes,