The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) welcomes today's announcement by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, of a consultation process to plan for the future of mobile phone and wireless broadband licences.

AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus, said the mobile telecommunications industry had a huge investment and certainty was needed on the reissue of 15-year spectrum licences to give mobile operators the confidence to undertake significant investment in the period leading up to licence expiry and beyond.

He said voice and broadband services delivered by mobile networks were major drivers of productivity and growth in the Australian economy. It was critical for network owners to have sufficient lead time to secure the capital for investment in the spectrum used to deliver existing services and plan for the introduction of advanced mobile technologies.

Mr Althaus said AMTA looked forward to further consultations with Government to ensure that Australia’s future economic prosperity was enhanced by access to adequate and appropriate spectrum to deliver a broad range of advanced wireless broadband services that will be at the heart of the digital economy.

“Spectrum is the infrastructure highway that carries mobile services - without it service is not possible. What’s more, the type and amount of spectrum made available for all mobile telecommunications services influences performance and service levels,” he said.

“Australia cannot afford the risks of indecision, particularly at a time of unprecedented volatility and a time, like never before, where investment in advanced communication technologies and associated infrastructure will be central to economic recovery and growth strategies.

“The industry is poised to continue to invest in next generation networks that will drive Australia’s productivity and boost growth, but only if there is a degree of certainty about the availability key spectrum allocations.”

Senator Conroy announced a consultation for the future of mobile phone and wireless broadband licenses.

"Australia has been a world leader in wireless communications and we need to plan ahead to retain our leadership," Senator Conroy said.

"Mobile phones and wireless broadband have changed people's lives and it is important that industry have the best chance to plan and develop future services."

Senator Conroy today issued a discussion paper on re-issuing 15-year radiofrequency spectrum licences. The licenses include those relevant to the delivery of 2G and 3G mobile phone and wireless broadband services.

"Wireless spectrum is a valuable public asset that supports a range of services of great importance to consumers, business and the telecommunications industry," Senator Conroy said.

The Government's discussion paper examines a range of issues and calls for comment on the re-issue of licenses in the 800MHz, 1800MHz, 2.1GHz, 2.3GHz and 3.4GHz spectrum bands.

While key licences do not begin expiring until 2013, spectrum licence re-issue requires major Government policy decisions.

"There are complex issues that will take some time to assess but work has already begun and I expect that the Government will be making decisions over the next 12 months on this important matter," Senator Conroy said.

The discussion paper is available online from: www.dbcde.gov.au/spectrumlicences