Optus buoyant at prospect of second ‘digital dividend’ for mobile broadband – Telco/ISP

Optus has backed a government plan that would produce a repeat of the “digital dividend” spectrum auctions a 10 years ago, wherever spectrum used in Television set broadcasting was refarmed for mobile use.

In a media reform ‘green paper’ at the stop of final calendar year, the government proposed releasing up spectrum in the 600 MHz band and reallocating it for other employs.

It noted at the time that the spectrum could be “attractive to cell network operators as a indicates to supply vast-location and inbuilding coverage across their networks.”

Market submissions to the eco-friendly paper course of action have gradually leaked out in excess of the earlier week, with Optus furnishing a large-level look at of its submission on Tuesday afternoon.

Vice president of regulatory and public affairs Andrew Sheridan welcomed the prospect of a clean “digital dividend”.

A 10 years ago, the initial “digital dividend” was made by having hugely beneficial 700 MHz and 2.5 GHz radio frequencies used for analogue tv transmission and auctioning the spectrum off, primarily to cell network operators.

“Re-allocating the undervalued 600 MHz band for vital cell online permits Australia [will] attain a second digital dividend, additional strengthening competitive nationwide cell networks, which will progressively supply the basis for Australia’s long run digital overall economy,” Sheridan stated in a statement.

“600 MHz band is previously productively deployed as portion of 5G in North America and Australia need to not be remaining at the rear of.”

Sheridan noted that the first digital dividend “opened up the period of large velocity cell broadband” and led to the ability to consume streaming video clip on cell units.

“A second digital dividend provides very similar alternatives,” he stated, incorporating it could “increase the breadth and quality of 5G networks these days and 6G tomorrow.”

“This is specially crucial for our rural and regional parts,” Sheridan additional.

Free of charge Television set Australia stated in a submission [pdf] of its personal that the government should really stay open to Television set operators retaining “slightly much more spectrum” for broadcasting functions than the eco-friendly paper proposes.

It also stated “there are a number of pathways to produce a likely 600 MHz dividend” that could profit cell operators.

“We suggest working closely with field and other stakeholders to detect the very best path forward,” it stated.

“Any long run arranging eventualities need to permit for person broadcasters to form their personal services choices in accordance with their personal strategic and business factors and meet long run client anticipations.”