MELBOURNE, Australia-The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) announced it will allocate, by auction if demand dictates, the remaining 3.4 GHz band of the radio-frequency spectrum. Licenses in the 3.4 GHz band were previously allocated in October 2000.
The spectrum, available in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Launceston, Rockhampton, Sydney and Toowoomba, is particularly appropriate for wireless local loop (WLL) services and Internet access. The ACA has called for interested parties to apply for the spectrum before the end of July. If an auction is required due to demand, it will held in August.
According to ACA Chairman Tony Shaw, the auction presents an opportunity for entry into the local access market.
“If there is sufficient demand for the spectrum, we will hold a simultaneous ascending auction, in which all lots are offered for bidding at the same time,” Shaw said. “These auctions are conducted over a number of rounds, through electronic bidding online, with the results of each round being made available to all bidders.”
