Major review of broadcast spectrum | Australian Music Association

25th October, 2024

Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland has announced a process that will consider the future of broadcast spectrum in Australia, which could have implications for wireless audio devices.

The Minister outlined the Albanese Government’s plans to review spectrum policy, particularly considering that “spectrum licences across a number of highly important bands are due to expire from 2028 to 2032.” These were outlined in a Ministerial Policy Statement on Expiring Spectrum Licences in April 2024:

Table 1: Expiring spectrum licences covered by this Ministerial policy statement

	Band	Frequency range	Expiry date
1	700 MHz	703–748 MHz / 758–803 MHz	31 December 2029
2	850 MHz	824–845 MHz / 869–890 MHz	17 June 2028
3	1800 MHz	1710–1785 MHz / 1805–1880 MHz*	17 June 2028
4	2 GHz	1920–1980 MHz / 2110–2170 MHz	11 October 2032
6	2.3 GHz	2302–2400 MHz	24 July 2030
7	2.5 GHz	2500–2570 MHz / 2620–2690 MHz	30 September 2029
8	3.4 GHz	3400–3700 MHz	13 December 2030

* This table is intended to cover all licences in the frequency ranges set out above which expire on the relevant expiry date, with the exception of licences in the 1800 MHz band held by metropolitan rail operators, typically in the 1770‑1785 MHz / 1865-1880 MHz range.

With no further details released about the process, it is not clear how wireless audio devices and other users of broadcast spectrum will be affected.

While asserting that “I believe in the broadcasting platform,” Minister Rowland also said “there is significant uncertainty as to what television broadcasting will look like in 10, or 20 years.” The “ongoing shift” from conventional television broadcasting (linear content consumption) to on-demand content is prompting a review of broadcast spectrum, and the potential reallocation of that spectrum, but there is no intention to have a “lights out” moment. “The way the industry uses radiofrequency spectrum needs to be examined,” she said.

The Albanese Government “is seeking to explore the possibility of realising a digital dividend: options for the more efficient use of spectrum and infrastructure for television, which enables potential reallocation of spectrum to other uses.”

To be clear, the announcement is for a process to consider a second digital dividend, not an announcement to have one. No further details have been announced, a discussion paper is expected to be released early in 2025.

Free TV, the peak body for commercial television and leading advocate for broadcast spectrum policy in Australia, responded by asserting the need to consider ongoing television broadcasting. “It is essential that the Government recognises and supports this through this latest consultation process and we will be playing an active role in this process to ensure the best outcome for Australian TV viewers,” said Free TV CEO Bridget Fair. “Planning for the future is sensible, and understanding how or if high quality free TV services can be delivered with less demand on spectrum but no reduction in quality or quantity will be critical in ensuring free Australian TV remains available to everyone.”

The AMA was involved in industry advocacy around the first digital dividend, has called for certainty in radiofrequency spectrum policy multiple times in submissions to government inquiries, and will monitor developments with this process and respond as required.