Radiocommunications (Ministerial Policy Statement – 3.4–4.0 GHz) Instrument 2022 (Cth)

Radiocommunications (Ministerial Policy Statement – 3.4–4.0 GHz) Instrument 2022

I, Paul Fletcher, Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, make the following Ministerial policy statement under subsection 28B(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

Dated 1 February 2022

Paul Fletcher Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts

Ministerial Policy Statement for the 3.4–4.0 GHz band

1. Introduction

The object of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (the Act) is "to promote the long‑term public interest derived from the use of the spectrum by providing for the management of the spectrum in a manner that: (a) facilitates the efficient planning, allocation and use of the spectrum; and (b) facilitates the use of the spectrum for: (i) commercial purposes; and (ii) defence purposes, national security purposes and other non‑commercial purposes (including public safety and community purposes); and (c) supports the communications policy objectives of the Commonwealth Government." This Ministerial policy statement specifies Commonwealth Government communications policy objectives that apply, and to which the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) must have regard, in performing its spectrum management functions and exercising its spectrum management powers in relation to the 3.4–4.0 GHz band.

2. Supporting the deployment of new and innovative technology, including 5G

A Government communications policy objective in relation to the 3.4–4.0 GHz band is to support the deployment of new and innovative technology, including 5G.

This is reflected in a number of Government policies that support the delivery of digital infrastructure, including:

(a) The Government's Digital Economy Strategy 2030, released in 2021, which sets out how Australia will secure its future as a modern and leading digital economy and society by 2030, including through the timely availability of spectrum.