The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has released their Five Year Spectrum Outlook (FYSO) report for 2021-26.
ACMA is Australia’s spectrum manager, responsible for managing the radiofrequency spectrum. Since 2009, they have consulted annually with industry about spectrum management priorities through the five-year spectrum outlook (FYSO).
Released every year, the FYSO considers the drivers likely to shape spectrum demand and spectrum management requirements over the next 5 years.
According to the report, “The Australian Government has called 2021 the ‘Year of 5G’”. ACMA says they are committed to addressing 5G spectrum needs and ensuring that Australia is well-placed to take advantage of 5G.
“Our extensive planning activity to support the deployment of 5G services in Australia continues to inform priorities in our allocation workplan. Recent activities include spectrum releases for spectrum licensing in the 26 GHz band, updates to class licensing in the 60 GHz band and our completion of an initial apparatus licence allocation in the millimetre wave spectrum 26 GHz and 28 GHz bands,” the report reads.
Before the report was released, feedback to the draft FYSO 2021–26 has lead ACMA to have:
• Adjusted the allocation timing and sequencing of the next band allocation in the 3700–4200 MHz band to manage demand
• Confirmed the simultaneous review of the 1.5 GHz and extended mobile satellite service L-band
• Prioritised a spectrum licence technical fra
• Clarified the ongoing reform implementation under the Modernisation Act.
Looking ahead, the report also outlines some potential new planning arrangements, including projects in the 6 GHz band (possibly for a range of wireless broadband applications) and the 1880–1920 MHz band (which may be a candidate for changes to support new technologies, including local area wireless broadband applications such as private networks).
The full Five Year Spectrum Outlook report can be read here.