Spectrum Allocation for Broadband Wireless Access in New Zealand: Is It Back to the Drawing Board?

This IDC study examines the different options for wireless broadband access licensing in the New Zealand market. This study examines recent discussions regarding broadband wireless access (BWA) spectrum allocation in New Zealand in the context of what is happening with the technology and what is happening in other regulatory jurisdictions. No single jurisdiction provides the ideal example for New Zealand because of rather unique circumstances and timing of the opening up of certain frequency bands. This study provides an analysis of what we believe to be the key technology and business drivers with respect to BWA and we take a detailed look at the specific frequency bands that are being proposed for BWA drawing on examples in other countries wherever possible.

"With the flurry of activity by regulators and commercial operators across Asia/Pacific, it is clear that the New Zealand government's timetable for the launch of BWA services in 2011 is much too late. Combined with the relatively low broadband household penetration of New Zealand when compared with other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, it is imperative that New Zealand operators are encouraged to build out fixed wireless solutions as soon as possible," says Bill Rojas, director of telecom services, IDC Asia/Pacific.