Overview and outcome
In 2019, we commenced a review of the 2 GHz band. This review was a result of increasing interest in the band for new applications including mobile satellite, wireless broadband and direct air-to-ground communications. In July 2020, the review progressed to the preliminary replanning stage with the release of a consultation on possible future options for the 2 GHz band.
The review concluded in January 2021 when we announced our decision to replan the band for mobile-satellite services, as follows:
- 2 x 25 MHz (1980–2005 MHz and 2170–2195 MHz) for Australia-wide mobile-satellite services (MSS), with support for deployment of a complementary ground component (CGC) including direct air-to-ground communications services (DA2GC), where a licensee wishes to supplement its MSS.
- 2 x 5 MHz (2005–2010 MHz and 2195–2200 MHz) for shared narrowband MSS including telemetry, short messaging, and low-data-rate services such as satellite IoT (internet of things) applications.
Following the conclusion of the review, we began implementing the replanning decision. The table below provides an outline of implementation activities and key milestones. Further details of each activity are provided in the following ‘History of the 2 GHz band’ section.
|
Activity |
Date |
|
|
Review Embargo 23 and RALI FX21 to reflect replanning decisions and implementation activities |
Mar 2021 (initial) Jun 2022 (additional) |
|
|
Review the Television Outside Broadcast Service (1980–2110 MHz and 2170–2300 MHz) Frequency Band Plan 2012 for inclusion of TOB transition timelines |
Completed Jun 2022 |
|
|
Development of technical and licensing arrangements to support MSS narrowband use in 2005–2009 MHz and 2195–2200 MHz. |
Completed Jul 2022 |
|
|
Review RALI FX3 7.2 GHz TOB arrangements to reflect current digital technologies used, including development of coordination arrangements to support the transition of 2 GHz TOB licensees |
Consulted Jun 2022 |
|
|
Development of technical and regulatory arrangements to support MSS (including complementary ground component) use in 1980–2005/2170–2195 MHz. |
Q1–2 2023 |
|
|
Development of framework for the allocation of licences in 1980–2005 MHz and 2170–2195 MHz bands. |
2023 |
|
|
Allocation of MSS licences in 1980–2005 and 2170–2195 MHz |
2023–24 (to be determined through the annual FYSO process) |
|
History of the 2 GHz band
The 2 GHz band was originally planned to support fixed point-to-point links as part of the 2.1 GHz (1900–2300 MHz) band.* In the early 2000s, fixed links were cleared from the band to support the introduction of mobile satellite services and 2.1 GHz spectrum licences. While the majority of fixed point-to-point links were cleared, the envisaged mobile satellite services did not eventuate.
In 2012, as an outcome of the review of the 2.5 GHz band and long-term arrangements for electronic news gathering, the 2 GHz band was replanned for television outside broadcast (TOB) services on an interim basis. To implement that decision we:
- made the Television Outside Broadcast Service (1980–2110 MHz and 2170–2300 MHz) Frequency Band Plan 2012 (the TOB Band Plan)
- created the Radiocommunications Assignment and Licensing Instruction (RALI) FX21: Television Outside Broadcasting Services in the Bands 1980–2110 MHz and 2170–2300 MHz
- developed a policy in spectrum embargo 23 to restrict all services except TOB in the 2 GHz band, to support the introduction of TOB services and to preserve planning options for the band while the future use of the band was undetermined.
In August 2019, we commenced a review of the 2 GHz band with the release of a discussion paper that identified domestic and international considerations for future use of the band and invited comment on possible changes to planning arrangements.
In July 2020, the review progressed to the preliminary replanning stage with the release of a consultation paper on future options for the 2 GHz band.
In January 2021, we released an outcomes paper that announced our decision to replan the band for mobile-satellite services.
Implementing this decision requires us to conduct a range of regulatory and planning activities. To date, we have completed the following activities:
- In March 2021, we amended Embargo 23 and RALI FX21 to align them with the 2 GHz planning outcomes.
- In December 2021, we consulted on our proposals to review the TOB Band Plan and introduce new licensing arrangements for 2 GHz narrowband mobile-satellite services.
- In June 2022, we consulted on planning arrangements in the 7.2 GHz band to prepare for migration of TOB services from the 2 GHz band.
- In June 2022, as a result of our proposal to review the TOB Band Plan, we:
- revoked the TOB Band Plan and made the following new frequency band plans:
- the Radiocommunications (Mobile-Satellite Service) (1980–2010 MHz and 2170–2200 MHz) Frequency Band Plan 2022 (the 2 GHz MSS band plan)
- the Radiocommunications (Television Outside Broadcasting) (2010–2110 MHz and 2200–2300 MHz) Frequency Band Plan 2022 (the new TOB band plan).
- published the paper Review of the 2 GHz Television Outside Broadcast Frequency Band Plan: Response to submissions.
- revoked the TOB Band Plan and made the following new frequency band plans:
- The 2 GHz MSS band plan commenced on 24 June 2022. It specifies a transition period for TOB services to stop operating in the band by the following dates:
- 1 March 2026 in metropolitan areas and designated areas as defined in the band plan
- 1 March 2024 elsewhere.
- In July 2022, as a result of our proposal to introduce new licensing arrangements for 2 GHz narrowband mobile-satellite services, we:
- varied the Radiocommunications (Communication with Space Object) Class Licence 2015.
- published the paper Proposed licensing arrangements for 2 GHz narrowband mobile-satellite services and 28 GHz fixed-satellite services: Response to submissions
In August 2022, we updated RALI FX21 and Embargo 23 to reflect these transitional and licensing arrangements, including amending channel arrangements and coordination of TOB receivers. We also updated our business operating procedures with licensing procedures for 2 GHz narrowband mobile-satellite services in the 2005–2009 MHz and 2195–2200 MHz bands.
* See Radiocommunications Assignment and Licensing Instruction FX 3, microwave fixed services frequency coordination.
