Australia opens applications for 5G mmWave spectrum auction

News Wireless Australia 14 DEC 2020
Australia opens applications for 5G mmWave spectrum auction

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has opened applications for the auction of high-band 5G spectrum, scheduled for April 2021. This mmWave spectrum is expected to provide higher capacity and faster mobile internet access compared to spectrum bands currently used for wireless broadband across Australia.

The ACMA will auction 2.4 GHz of spectrum in the 26 GHz band in 27 geographic regions across Australia. A total of 360 lots of spectrum are available. Allocation limits set by the Minister mean that during the auction, individual participants cannot acquire more than 1 GHz of the 26 GHz band in each geographic region. 

The ACMA reports it has prepared an applicant information package for interested parties, which provides a detailed auction guide, information on the spectrum available and starting prices. Applications are due by 21 January 2021, and the spectrum auction is scheduled for launch in April 2021.

The Australian government also plans a second auction for late 2021 for low-band 5G spectrum.

Categories:

Mobile

Companies:

ACMA,  Australian Communications and Media Authority

Countries:

Australia

Tags:

Government telecommunications licensing, Wholesale

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