Ref No. DOIA 2122-2119
31 May 2022
Jonathan Brewer
[FYI request #19294 email]
Dear Jonathan
Thank you for your email of 9 May 2022 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (the
Ministry), requesting the following under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):
Radio Spectrum Management's 15 December 2021 presentation "Technical Working Group on
3.3-3.8 GHz" describes two options for harmonisation of synchronisation and frame structures
across the 3.3-3.8 GHz frequency band.
Option A is described as limiting cell sizes to a radius of ~9 km, and Option B is described as
allowing for cell radius up to ~14.5 km, and the potential for co-existence between 4G and 5G
services.
Please release any and all emails, documents, research, and presentations to cabinet that discuss
the topic and how choices could impact the availability of high speed broadband for rural and
remote users.
Additionally please advise:
1.) Have rural stakeholders been engaged to discuss technical choices that could limit the use of
the frequency band to either ~9 or ~14.5 km from a tower? If so, how has this engagement process
been run, and what feedback has been received in response?
2.) Has the Commerce Commission been consulted on the potential for a reduction in competition
in the rural services market should a technical choice restrict the availability of equipment or result
in economically untenable situation for rural and remote providers?
Further to an email from the Ministry of 18 May 2022, I note your email of 25 May 2022 stating:
I would like to revise the request as suggested. Please release a copy of the cabinet paper
"Allocation of 3.5 GHz spectrum to support the rollout of 5G and the advancement of rural
connectivity".
Further to this refined scope, this letter is to notify you that the Ministry is transferring your request to
the office of Hon Dr David Clark, Minister of Digital Economy and Communications, in accordance with
section 14 of the Act. This transfer is occurring because the Ministry believes that the information
requested is more closely aligned with the functions of Minister Clark.
E
[email address]
W
www.mbie.govt.nz
You have the right under section 28(3) of the Act to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman
of my decision to transfer your request. The relevant details can be found at:
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz
Yours sincerely
Madeline Sherwood King
Team Leader, Ministerial Services
Building, Resources and Markets