Independent Review – Australian Communications and Media Authority
On 15 January 2021, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced the outcome of a review into the use of the 3700-4200 MHz spectrum band.
The ACMA instituted a review of the 3700-4200 MHz spectrum band, as it is the subject of considerable interest globally as suitable mid band spectrum for a range of applications, including fixed satellite services and wireless broadband (WBB) such as 5G, whereas current regulatory arrangements in the band are optimised to support a different mixture of uses, including: apparatus licensed point-to-point fixed service links (PTP), coordinated fixed satellite service (FSS) receive earth stations, and various low power class licensed devices.
Consistent with the Government’s Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) requirements, the Replanning of the 3700-4200 MHz band option and outcome papers have been certified by the ACMA as meeting the requirements of a RIS. The Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) does not assess the quality of independent reviews and RIS-like documents used in lieu of a RIS but does assess whether the options analysed in the independent review are relevant to the regulatory proposal. The OBPR assessed that the options analysed in the independent review are sufficiently relevant to the regulatory proposal.
The agency estimates the average annual regulatory costs at between $7.6m and $18.4m, with overall net benefits of the preferred option estimated at $560m.