This is the first in a series of papers signalling the ACMA's intention to develop a future spectrum management strategy to meet the longer term needs of the mobile broadband industry while ensuring that the needs of incumbent users are also taken into account.

The paper seeks comment from stakeholders on a number of spectrum management issues

The discussion paper, Towards 2020—Future spectrum requirements for mobile broadband looks at frequency bands and services below 6 GHz that could possibly be made available for mobile broadband and invites stakeholders to comment on these. The paper also invites comments on options for mobile broadband beyond 6 GHz and the potential for these bands to be used for in-home and personal communications services.

The discussion paper has the following objectives:

1. to identify the baseline spectrum requirements for future mobile broadband services;
2. to consider the needs of incumbent services;
3. to consider strategies to be used to reduce the overall quantum of spectrum that may be required; and
4. to gather information from affected stakeholders regarding the impact of emerging technologies and the associated benefits that they offer to the communications environment.

Submissions received in response to this paper will assist the ACMA in developing a spectrum management strategy that focuses on emerging technologies and mobile broadband services.