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"The industry needs timely access to 140MHz of spectrum in the 2.5GHz band plus access to the 126MHz of Digital Dividend identified in the 700MHz band, and the retention of existing mobile spectrum assets if operators are to meet future demand for mobile telecommunications and mobile broadband services use."
He added: "There is an urgent need for the Government to lock in a timetable for the delivery of the spectrum resources to give industry the certainty and confidence to go ahead and make critical investment decisions. AMTA is concerned that the timetable does not state when the band can be used to deliver future mobile broadband services," he said.
The debate over the band has been long and contentious. Back in 2008, Ericsson argued that its use for ENG was inefficient. In May this year, Optus complained about a lack of transparency in the ACMA's processes for re-allocating the spectrum and about delays in the process.
The ACMA noted some time ago when it started its review that it ha been evident for years that such a review would be inevitable, saying: "[Electronic news gathering] services have faced uncertainty about their long-term spectrum home since international identification and harmonisation of this band for wireless access services in 2000."
