The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has published draft rules for the digital dividend spectrum auction.

 

“Publishing the draft rules is a key milestone for the ACMA in preparing for the auction,” said Giles Tanner, General Manager of the ACMA’s Digital Transition Division.

 

“Over the past months, we have been actively engaging with stakeholders—I’m pleased that we have their buy-in on the approach we’re taking.”

 

The draft rules consists of two parts—the allocation instruments and the technical instruments.

 

Once finalised, the allocation instruments will provide the legal basis for the auction. It will describe the spectrum products that are being offered and set out the rules for how the auction will be conducted. The allocation instruments are:

 

  • two marketing plans—one for the 700 MHz band and one for the 2.5 GHz band an
  • allocation determination.

The technical instruments will set out the technical rules that the spectrum winner(s) must abide by when using the spectrum. The technical instruments are:

  • an unacceptable interference determination
  • radiocommunications advisory guidelines for each band.

 

ACMA will also be hosting a webinar for stakeholders on Tuesday, 24 April 2012, to give an opportunity for interested parties to ask questions about the draft rules. Further information on the webinar will be announced shortly.

 

Stakeholders have until Wednesday, 9 May 2012, to submit their responses to the draft rules. Responses should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..