As the Government proceeds with the processes surrounding the national broadband network (NBN), another key policy issue is attracting increasing attention.

Spectrum issues are typically highly technical as Government plans, allocates and monitors use of an increasingly crowded and complex mosaic of radio frequency bands and end uses. However at a higher strategic level spectrum is a fundamental resource for any sector utilising radio frequency from radio and TV broadcasts to mobile telecommunications and mobile broadband, from defence and emergency services to meteorology and astronomy the role of spectrum is the key ingredient needed to operate.

So when advances in technology result in some spectrum becoming available the interest is intense. Such is the case with the so called “digital dividend”. So what is it? In short, the digital dividend is an amount of spectrum made available as a result of the transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting.

To explain in more detail the GSM Association has recently launched a website to explain; - see http://www.gsmworld.com/digital_dividend/index.shtml

While the GSMA site highlights the specific details and opportunities in a European context which differ from Australia, the key issues and themes apply globally.

Notably the global growth and development of mobile broadband and mobile data services into the future will depend on allocation of new additional spectrum.

A fair and well-balanced reallocation of the spectrum between the mobile broadband, broadcasting and ICT industries will ensure that society reaps the full social and economic benefits of the digital dividend as an exciting part of the emerging global digital economy.