Mobile network operators will soon be able to improve voice and broadband services following the successful completion of the multiband residual lots spectrum auction by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
The process saw 33 spectrum lots put up for auction in the 1800 MHz, 2 GHz, 2.3 GHz and 3.4 GHz bands, and the recently designated spectrum in the 2 GHz band in the Canberra region which was offered for the first time. 32 out of 33 lots were sold for a total amount of $92.6 million.
All auction participants were successful in securing spectrum. Telstra successfully bid for spectrum lots worth $72.5 million, Vodafone Hutchinson Australia (VHA) $7.2 million, Optus $6.5 million, nbn co $4.0 million, and TPG Telecom $2.3 million.
Spectrum is a valuable and finite resource that is essential for the delivery of services Australians take for granted, including mobile telephone calls, mobile and fixed-wireless broadband, and television/radio broadcasts.
Following the auction process, more spectrum will be made available to improve mobile and fixed wireless broadband services in regional areas.
The licence terms will align with existing licences in the relevant bands: licences in the 1800 MHz band expire on 17 June 2028, 2 GHz on 11 October 2032, 2.3 GHz on 24 July 2030, 3.4 GHz band on 13 December 2030.
One lot in the 3.4 GHz band offered at auction remains unsold. The ACMA intends to publish a notice on its website in the second quarter of 2018 inviting interested parties to express interest in this spectrum.
A further six lots were not included in the auction as only a single auction participant expressed interest before the auction started. The ACMA will offer these lots to those participants for the starting price in accordance with the Government’s Allocation Determination.
More information on the outcomes of the multiband residual lots auction is available on the ACMA’s website at: www.acma.gov.au
| Lot no. |
Geographic area |
Frequency (MHz) |
Bandwidth | Successful bidder |
| 1800 MHz | ||||
| 1 | Dubbo | 1775–1780/ 1870–1875 |
2 x 5 MHz | N/A – will be offered to participant for starting price |
| 2 | Mackay | 1775–1785/ 1870–1880 |
2 x 10 MHz | TPG
$1,360,000 |
| 3 | Maryborough | 1745–1750/ 1840–1845 |
2 x 5 MHz | Telstra
$4,302,000 |
| 4 | Regional WA | 1780–1785/ 1875–1880 |
2 x 5 MHz | VHA
$235,000 |
| 5 | Tasmania | 1750–1755/ 1845–1850 |
2 x 5 MHz | TPG
$970,000 |
| 2 GHz | ||||
| 6 | Canberra B1,2 | 1920–1930/ 2110–2120 |
2 x 10 MHz | Telstra
$2,147,000 |
| 7 | Darwin | 1920–1930/ 2110–2120 |
2 x 10 MHz | VHA
$2,451,000 |
| 8 | Hobart | 1920–1930/ 2110–2120 |
2 x 10 MHz | VHA
$4,551,000 |
| 9 | Adelaide | 1930–1935/ 2120–2125 |
2 x 5 MHz | Telstra
$2,346,000 |
| 10 | Brisbane A | 1930–1935/ 2120–2125 |
2 x 5 MHz | Telstra
$5,742,000 |
| 11 | Canberra A2 | 1930–1935/ 2120–2125 |
2 x 5 MHz | Telstra
$805,000 |
| 12 | Darwin | 1930–1935/ 2120–2125 |
2 x 5 MHz | Telstra
$2,340,000 |
| 13 | Hobart | 1930–1935/ 2120–2125 |
2 x 5 MHz | Telstra
$1,395,000 |
| 14 | Perth | 1930–1935/ 2120–2125 |
2 x 5 MHz | Telstra
$3,405,000 |
| 2.3 GHz | ||||
| 15 | Cameron Corner | 2365–2400 | 35 MHz | nbn
$704,000 |
| 16 | Central Australia | 2337–2365 | 28 MHz | Telstra
$2,000 |
| 17 | Delamere | 2302-2400 | 98 MHz | nbn
$326,000 |
| 18 | Geraldton/Kalgoorlie | 2365–2400 | 35 MHz | nbn
$861,000 |
| 19 | Gold Fields | 2337–2365 | 28 MHz | Telstra
$1,000 |
| 20 | Kimberley | 2365–2400 | 35 MHz | Telstra
$5,000 |
| 21 | Melbourne | 2393–2400 | 7 MHz | Optus
$173,000 |
| 22 | Mid-West Radio Quiet Zone | 2337–2365 | 28 MHz | Telstra
$1,000 |
| 23 | NSW East | 2393–2400 | 7 MHz | Optus
$199,000 |
| 24 | Outer ACT | 2302–2330 | 28 MHz | N/A – will be offered to participant for starting price |
| 25 | Telfer Mine | 2302–2400 | 98 MHz | Telstra
$1,000 |
| 3.4 GHz | ||||
| 26 | Adelaide | 3439–3442.5 | 3.5 MHz | Optus
$5,996,000 |
| 27 | Brisbane B | 3490–3492.5 | 2.5 MHz | Optus
$39,000 |
| 28 | Brisbane B | 3542.5–3575 | 32.5 MHz | Telstra
$50,000,000 |
| 29 | Canberra A | 3490–3492.5 | 2.5 MHz | Unsold |
| 30 | Canberra A | 3542.5–3547 | 4.5 MHz | Telstra
$11,000 |
| 31 | Hobart | 3439–3442.5 | 3.5 MHz | N/A – will be offered to participant for starting price |
| 32 | Hobart | 3489–3492.5 | 3.5 MHz | nbn
$1,511,000 |
| 33 | Launceston | 3439–3442.5 | 3.5 MHz | N/A – will be offered to participant for starting price |
| 34 | Launceston | 3489–3492.5 | 3.5 MHz | nbn
$611,000 |
| 35 | Rockhampton | 3490–3492.5 | 2.5 MHz | N/A – will be offered to participant for starting price |
| 36 | Rockhampton | 3542.5–3547 | 4.5 MHz | Telstra
$3,000 |
| 37 | Sydney B | 3542.5–3546 | 3.5 MHz | Optus
$106,000 |
| 38 | Toowoomba | 3490-3492.5 | 2.5 MHz | N/A – will be offered to participant for starting price |
| 39 | Toowoomba | 3542.5–3547 | 4.5 MHz | Telstra
$24,000 |