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Revised competition limits on the sale of digital dividend (700 megahertz) spectrum – Regulation Impact Statement Addendum – Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

On 9 February 2012, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy announced that competition limits would be imposed on the upcoming auction of spectrum in the 700 megahertz (MHz) and the 2.5 gigahertz (GHz) bands (see web post 22 February 2012). This part of the spectrum is seen as very important for the future growth of mobile communications services in Australia. On 14 December 2012, the Minister announced that further consideration had been given to the competition limits to accommodate potential changes in market conditions. The quantum of the competition limits for the 700 MHz band has been amended from 2 x 20 MHz to 2 x 25 MHz. The amended limits will ensure that all of the available 700 MHz spectrum can be acquired in a wider range of scenarios.  An Addendum to the earlier competition limits Regulation Impact Statement was prepared by the Department of Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy and assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation.