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The newly allocated area-wide licences (AWLs) will allow organisations to build their own private wireless networks
This week, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has announced the allocation of 47 area-wide licences (AWLs) for 3.8 GHz spectrum. This midband spectrum is some of the most highly prized by mobile operators for delivering 5G services, offering an excellent balance of capacity, speed, and coverage.
Applications for the licences opened in May and subsequently received a high level of interest.
While the ACMA itself has yet to make public the winners of the direct allocation process, some of the recipients are already celebrating. Neutral host infrastructure operator BAI Communications, for example, has announced being allocated 50 MHz of spectrum, which it says it will use to help provide private networks for various industries and enterprises.
“This spectrum will be a key enabler for deployment and operation of private mobile networks, especially in metropolitan areas where non-mobile network operator entities have now been granted access to scarce 5G compatible spectrum, usually reserved for mobile network operators,” said Stephen Farrugia, Chief Technology Officer, BAI Communications.
“We are already seeing significant interest in the ports and transport sectors. This is a major inflection point to enable private mobile network adoption in Australia,” added Nick Gurney, Director Telecommunications, BAI Communications.
This is the third batch of 3.4–3.7 GHz licences that the ACMA has released, having most recently allocated 32 licences in remote areas at the start of 2023.
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