The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has recently allocated 47 area-wide licenses (AWLs) in the 3.8 GHz midband spectrum. This allocation is crucial as midband spectrum holds significant value for 5G services, offering an optimal balance of capacity, speed, and coverage. Such characteristics make it highly sought-after, especially by mobile operators.
Applications for these licenses commenced in May, receiving considerable interest from various sectors. Though the ACMA has not publicly identified all the winners, some companies have announced their successful acquisition. Among them, BAI Communications shared that it received 50 MHz of spectrum, intending to deploy private networks for diverse industries.
Stephen Farrugia, Chief Technology Officer at BAI Communications, highlighted the significance of the acquisition. He stated, “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.” Nick Gurney, Director of Telecommunications at BAI, mentioned growing interest in sectors like ports and transport. This spectrum allocation marks a pivotal moment for private network adoption in Australia.
This allocation represents the third release of licenses in the 3.4–3.7 GHz spectrum by the ACMA. Early in 2023, the agency had issued 32 licenses in remote regions.
