Mobile broadband spectrum management is one area where the ACMA, for a number of years, has provided detailed public guidance on its associated strategy and work program. In September 2015, the ACMA consulted on updating its strategy and work program in the discussion paper Beyond 2020—A spectrum management strategy to address the growth in mobile broadband capacity (Beyond 2020). In response to submissions to this consultation process, the ACMA has updated both its strategy and work program surrounding mobile broadband spectrum planning projects.

This document outlines the ACMA’s current spectrum planning work program regarding mobile broadband, as at February 2016.

The Spectrum Review Report1 included recommendations to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the Minister for Communications and the ACMA under a new legislative framework by, among other measures, requiring the ACMA to provide to the minister an annual work program (including key priorities over a three to five-year time frame), prepared in consultation with stakeholders. As this and other recommendations of the Spectrum Review are implemented, the mechanism for providing yearly updates to the mobile broadband work program may be altered to best fit into the new legislative framework. It is the ACMA’s intention to provide annual updates to the mobile broadband work program via some mechanism, whether this be through the Five-year spectrum outlook (FYSO) or another publication. As outlined in the document Mobile broadband strategy—The ACMA’s spectrum management strategy to address the growth in mobile broadband capacity (MBB strategy paper), the ACMA’s intention was to use the FYSO as the mechanism for yearly updates to the mobile broadband work program, for as long as this remains appropriate.

However, to conclude the initial consultation process initiated by Beyond 2020, the ACMA has released this paper to publish its initial work program. This work program will be included, with any updates, in the appropriate place later in 2016. Until that time, this document contains the existing ACMA mobile broadband work program.

The ACMA’s finalised mobile broadband strategy is contained in MBB strategy paper, which is available on the ACMA website.