Australia’s Department of Communications has set 3.6 GHz spectrum auction limits, in an attempt to promote competition in the relevant markets. The Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) will auction 125 MHz of spectrum in the 3.6 GHz band later this year. The Minister for Communications Mitch Fifield has directed the ACMA to impose allocation limits of 60 MHz in metropolitan areas and 80 MHz in regional areas.
This means bidders will not be able to acquire spectrum that would result in them owning, across the 3400-3700 MHz band, more than 60 MHz of spectrum in metropolitan areas or more than 80 MHz of spectrum in regional areas. According to the Department of Communications, these allocation limits aim to prevent one carrier monopolising the spectrum and ensure a competitive mobile broadband market.
