The Australian Communications and Media Authority is seeking public and industry comment on the release of spectrum in the 3.6 GHz band (3575-3700 MHz) for wireless access services (WAS) in regional and remote areas of Australia.

‘Availability of spectrum in regional areas for broadband wireless access services-in bands for which equipment can be readily sourced-has emerged as a major issue for broadband wireless access providers and users,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. ‘The impending release of 3.6 GHz spectrum in regional Australia should serve to support the introduction of competitive broadband services in these areas.

‘The impending release of 3.6 GHz spectrum in regional Australia should serve to support the introduction of competitive broadband services in these areas. ‘ACMA has developed a wide-ranging discussion paper about the future release of the 3.6 GHz band for WAS to give all stakeholders the opportunity to comment on technical and policy issues associated with the spectrum’s use.

The allocation of the 3.6 GHz band for WAS will be one of the very important topics discussed at ACMA’s RadComms09 conference to be held on 29 and 30 April.’ The discussion paper considers a number of technical issues to ensure that appropriate, technology-flexible coordination criteria are developed for the introduction of WAS.

The paper also outlines the regulatory and other policy issues associated with the release of the 3.6 GHz band, such as licensing arrangements and allocation mechanisms.

ACMA intends to start assigning licenses for WAS in the 3.6 GHz band later in 2009. Submissions will assist ACMA in determining what allocation processes to implement, in accordance with its current powers. Frequency range affected will be 3575-3700MHz.

The discussion paper, Release of the 3.6 GHz band for wireless access services (WAS), is available on the ACMA website. The closing date for comment is 15 May 2009.

Submissions should be sent to WAS-planning@acma.gov.au. Further information can also be obtained by emailing this address.

Media contact: Donald Robertson, ACMA Media Manager on (02) 9334 7980.

We encourage commercial users of C band satellite spectrum to respond to the proposal. The rollout of WiMax services for internet broadband in capital cities some years ago caused havoc with C band users, especially those using extended C band (3.4-3.7Ghz).

This plan compounds the problem. Extended C band is used by the following satellite operators, all of whom have services capable of being received in Australia: Telstar 10 (76.5E), Thaicom 5 (78.5E), Insat 2e (83E), Measat 3 (91.5E) Insat 3a (93E), Asiasat 2 (100.5E) Asiasat 3 (105.5E), Chinasat 6b (115.5E), Vinasat 1 (132E), and Telstar 18 (138E).

The proposal does exclude all capital cities. The ACMA have the following to say when it comes to organizations wishing to become involved in the reception of satellite signals in the future:

“The Earth station siting policy and identification and creation of satellite parks will provide greater long-term certainty for the FSS.  These operators have received informal advice that, in some instances, future siting policy may require them to eventually move to geographic areas where there is lower spectrum demand.  ACMA will also continue to encourage all new FSS licensees in the 3.6 GHz band to locate their intended services at areas identified for potential satellite parks in order to provide long term certainty of tenure and greater security of investment.”

So, if you don’t like this proposal, move !!