DOIA REQ 002009 Response Letter.pdf

20 March 2026

Ref: DOIA-REQ-0026009-Sam Brown

Sam Brown
Email: [FYI request #33467 email]

Tēnā koe Sam

Thank you for your email of 8 January 2026 to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
(MBIE) requesting, under the Oﬃcial Information Act 1982 (the Act), the fol owing information:

1.   All policy documents, ministerial briefings, or strategic reviews from 2020 to present
regarding spectrum allocation for rural broadband and fixed wireless access services,
including:
- Assessment of spectrum needs for rural connectivity providers
- Policy objectives for making spectrum available for regional broadband deployment
- Reviews of whether current spectrum allocation frameworks adequately support rural
connectivity objectives
2.  Information regarding the 3.3-3.34GHz spectrum allocation process conducted approximately
2022-2023, including:
- Policy rationale for offering 6-month "exclusive rights to apply" rather than direct spectrum
licenses
- Assessment of whether 6-month timeframe was adequate for:
-- Technology platform selection and vendor engagement
-- Funding arrangement finalisation
-- Security clearance processes
-- Actual license application preparation
- Number of entities that obtained exclusive rights versus number that successfully obtained
licenses
- Current status and usage of 3.3-3.34GHz spectrum in regions where exclusive rights were
forfeited
- Any review or lessons learned from this allocation process
3.  Any analysis of 6GHz spectrum availability and potential for rural broadband deployment,
including:
- Assessment of 6GHz spectrum for fixed wireless access services
International approaches to 6GHz deployment (particularly USA's Automatic Frequency
Coordination system)
- Whether RSM or MBIE has assessed developing AFC or similar coordination mechanisms for
New Zealand
- Timeline for potential 6GHz availability for outdoor fixed wireless use
- Any industry consultation or proposals received regarding 6GHz access
- Whether spectrum availability constraints are identified as limiting rural broadband
deployment

4.  Any assessment of spectrum availability imbalances between different provider types,
including:
- Spectrum holdings by mobile network operators versus fixed wireless operators
- Whether spectrum allocation policy considers competitive balance in rural connectivity
markets
- Assessment of whether limited spectrum availability for WISPs/fixed wireless operators
constrains their ability to compete with mobile operators or satel ite services in rural areas
5.  Any advice to Ministers regarding:
- Whether current spectrum management frameworks adequately support rural connectivity
policy objectives
- Resource constraints within RSM affecting spectrum policy development or allocation
processes
- International spectrum developments (WiFi 7, 6GHz, AFC systems) and implications for New
Zealand policy
- Whether spectrum policy is coordinated with rural connectivity funding programmes and
infrastructure policy
6.  Any correspondence with telecommunications industry participants regarding:
- Spectrum needs for rural broadband provision
- Barriers to accessing spectrum suitable for fixed wireless deployment
- Requests for 6GHz access or AFC system development
- Feedback on 3.3-3.34GHz allocation process

Please ﬁnd attached the documentation relevant to your request as set out in the attached document
schedule.

Please note some information has been withheld under the fol owing sections of the Act:
•  9(2)(a), to protect the privacy of natural persons, including that of deceased natural persons;
•  9(2)(b)(ii), to protect information where the making available of the information would be likely
unreasonably to prejudice the commercial position of the person who supplied or who is the
subject of the information;
•  9(2)(ba)(i), to protect information which is subject to an obligation of confidence or which any
person has been or could be compelled to provide under the authority of any enactment, where
the making available of the information would be likely to prejudice the supply of similar
information, or information from the same source, and it is in the public interest that such
information should continue to be supplied;
•  9(2)(f)(iv), to maintain the constitutional conventions for the time being which protect the
confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers of the Crown and officials;
•  9(2)(g)(i), to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression
of opinions by or between or to Ministers of the Crown or members of an organisation or officers
and employees of any public service agency or organisation in the course of their duty;
•  9(2)(h), to maintain legal professional privilege; and
•  9(2)(j), to enable a Minister of the Crown or any public service agency or organisation holding the
information to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations (including commercial
and industrial negotiations).

Information has been withheld under section 18(d) as it is out of scope. Where documents are publicly
available I have also refused these under section 18(d), as it is publicly available, however, I have provided
links to where you can ﬁnd these documents in the attached document schedule.

I do not consider that the withholding of this information is outweighed by public interest considerations
in making the information available.

On 5 February 2026 we contacted you asking you to narrow the scope of your request in relation to part
6, unfortunately after we applied the additional parameters you had provided in your response the scope
of the request was stil far too large as the results of the search encompassed over 1000 emails in scope.
Therefore, I refuse part 6 of your request under section 18(f) of the Act, as the information requested
cannot be made available without substantial col ation or research.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of your request or this response, or if you require any further assistance,
please contact [email address].

You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision. Information
about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802
602.

Nāku noa, nā

Daniel O’Grady
Manager, RSM Policy and Planning
Communication, Infrastructure and Trade

Document Schedule

Documents released

#
Date
Description
Withholding grounds
2122-1979 Briefing. Cabinet paper - Allocation
Information withheld under section
1
18 January
2022
of 3.5 GHz spectrum to support rol out of 5G
9(2)(a)
and advancement of rural connectivi.pdf
24
2122-1395 Briefing - Allocation of 3.5GHz
Information withheld under section
2
November
spectrum to support rol out of 5G and
9(2)(a) and 9(2)(ba)(i)
2021
advancement of rural connectivity.pdf
23
Information withheld under section
3
September
2021-0911 Rural Connectivity in New
9(2)(a)
2020
Zealand.pdf
Information withheld under section
4
23 August
2122-0499 Briefing 5G Infrastructure Project - a  9(2)(a), 9(2)(b)(ii) and
2021
rural-focussed package.pdf
9(2)g(i)
5
20 April 2023  2223-3301 Initial policy decisions on the 24 - 30  Information withheld under section
GHz radio spectrum range SIGNED.pdf
9(2)(a) and 9(2)(b)(ii)
Information withheld under section
6
10 March
2223-2369 Decisions on 3.3-3.4 GHz non-
9(2)(a)
2023
national spectrum assignment.pdf - signed.pdf
2223-3164 Update on 3.30-3.34 GHz regional
Information withheld under section
7
24 March
9(2)(a)
2023
broadband non-national spectrum assignment
SIGNED.pdf

Information withheld under section
9(2)(a),
8
28 February  SIGNED 2324-1616 Update on 24 - 30 GHz
2024
Project.pdf
9(2)(b)(ii) and
Out of scope
9
15 January
2026
FW: Some proposed next-steps for AFC systems  Information withheld under section
9(2)(a)
10
Response to submissions 5-year spectrum
Released in full
Outlook
11  20 October
Decisions on 3.30-3.34 GHz transition to first-
Information withheld under
2023
in-time licencing
sections 9(2)(a) and out of scope

#
Date
Description
Withholding grounds
12
[Draft for review] 3.30 – 3.4 GHz Regional
Information withheld under section
Broadband Internal Decision Document
9(2)a
13
3.3 – 3.4 GHz Options Analysis
Information withheld under
sections 9(2)h and 9(2)b(ii)
14
Reflections on 3.30 – 3.34 GHz
Information withheld under
sections 9(2)g(i)
15
3.3-3.4 GHz licensing tracking
Released in full
16
Exclusive rights holders finalized list
Information withheld under
sections 9(2)a
17
3.3-3.4 GHz Decisions
Released in full
18
3.3-3.4 project notes at November 2022
Released in full
Outcome of consultation on using 6 GHz band
Information withheld under section
19
for Wi-Fi
9(2)(a)
2122-0776
23
Information withheld under section
20  November
Communications Officials_ Fortnightly Report
9(2)(a) and out of scope
2025
for Fortnight Ending 23 November 2025 .pdf
21  7 December  Communications Officials_ Fortnightly Report
Information withheld under section
2025
for Fortnight Ending 07 December 2025 .pdf
9(2)(a) and out of scope
22  3 March
2324-1452 Communications Officials_ Weekly
Information withheld under section
2024
Report for week ending 3 Mar 2024.pdf
9(2)(a) and out of scope
6 GHz FWA trial licences request.pdf RE_ 6 GHz  9(2)a
23  3 July 2025
FWA trial licences request _IN-CONFIDENCE -
9(2)(b)(ii)
RELEASE EXTERNAL_.pdf
Fwd 6 GHz FWA trial licences request [IN-
9(2)a
24  4 October
2025
CONFIDENCE - RELEASE EXTERNAL]
[UNCLASSIFIED].pdf
25  9 October
RE 6 GHz FWA trial licences request
9(2)a
2025
[UNCLASSIFIED].pdf
26  23 July 2025  Re_ 6 GHz FWA trial licences request
9(2)a
_UNCLASSIFIED_.pdf
27  1 September  RE  6 GHz FWA trial licences request
9(2)a
2025
[UNCLASSIFIED]

#
Date
Description
Withholding grounds
28  N/A
Radio Spectrum Outlook Consultation
9(2)a
Response from Telco2 Ltd.pdf
29  3 July 2025
6 GHz Trial for Manawatu - Google Docs.pdf
9(2)a
17
Released in full
30  November
6084HH_Report_FCC_MPE_6948201_(5.1, 5.8
2023
GHz)
17
Released in full
31  November
6084HH_Report_FCC_RF_FR380325_(5.1, 5.8
2023
GHz part 1).pdf
17
Released in full
32  November
6084HH_Report_FCC_RF_FR380325_(5.1, 5.8
2023
GHz part 2).pdf
17
Released in full
33  November
6084HH_Report_FCC_RF_FR380325-01_(6
2023
GHz).pdf
34  21 October
6092HH_FA470407-01_FCC MPE Test
Released in full
2023
Report.pdf
35  29 August
6092HH_FR470407_FCC RF Test Report_5G
Released in full
2024
UNI 3.pdf
36  24 October
6092HH_FR470407-01AA_FCC RF Test
Released in full
2024
Report_5G UNI 1.pdf
37  29 February
2024
E513139-A6065-CB-1-Amendment-2.pdf
Released in full
38  29 February
2024
E513139-A6065-CB-1-Original.pdf
Released in full
39  1 January
SDOC_450v_6084HH_tc2.pdf
s(2)a
2025
40  1 January
SDOC_450v_6092HH_tc2.pdf
s(2)a
2025

Documents withheld in ful
  #  Date
Description
Withholding grounds
1
N/A
Inspire Trial Setup North Range Road.pdf
Refused in ful  under section
9(2)b(ii)
2
N/A
Inspire Trial Setup Saddle Hill.pdf
Refused in ful  under section
9(2)b(ii)
3
N/A
Inspire Trial Setup Te Mata Linton.pdf
Refused in ful  under section
9(2)b(ii)
4
N/A
Review of AFC Proposal Documents
Withheld in full s 9(2)f(iv)
4

RE_ 3_3GHz - Auction Catalogue - Draft IN-
Refused in ful  under section
CONFIDENCE RELEASE-EXTERNAL
9(2)(h)
6

RE_ New information on 3_30-3_34_ further
Refused in ful  under section
licence query_planned licences
9(2)(h)
7

RE_ Policy logic and legal view on the
Refused in ful  under section
acquisition limit IN-CONFIDENCE
9(2)(h)
Information withheld in ful  under
8
12 May 2024  2324-1462 Communications Officials_ Weekly
Report for week ending 12 May 2024.pdf
section 9(2)g(i), 9(2)(a) and out of
scope
Refused in ful  under section
9
N/A
AFC Full Proposal Telco2 Inspire Cambium
9(2)b(ii)
Qualcomm - Google Docs.pdf

10  N/A
450v trial Link Budget and CN objectives
Refused in ful  under section
9(2)b(ii)
11  N/A
afc_trial_records_example_20250729.txt
Refused in ful  under section
9(2)b(ii)

Documents refused under section 18(d) as publicly available

#
Date
Description
Link to publicly available
information
Six-month Right to Place 3.30-3.34GHz Non-
Refused in ful  under section 18(d)
national
Auction 26 | Radio Spectrum
1
18 April 2023  Spectrum Licenses:
Management New Zealand
Auction Catalogue
2
April 2025
Unlocking-6-GHz-Wi-Fi-whitepaper-Qualcomm- Refused in ful  under section 18(d)
AFC-Suite.pdf
Unlocking-6-GHz-Wi-Fi-whitepaper-
Qualcomm-AFC-Suite.pdf
3
16 February  ISED_AFC_Data_Glossary.pdf
Refused in ful  under section 18(d)
2024
AFC_Data_Glossary.pdf
4
25 April 2025  WINNF-TS-1014.pdf
Refused in ful  under section 18(d)
WINNF-TS-1014.pdf
5
N/A
6084HH Antenna Specification.pdf
Refused in ful  under section 18(d)
7331792.pdf
6
29 February  6084HH_Cert_CB_Safety_IEC62368-1_DK-
Refused in ful  under section 18(d)
2024
150779-UL.pdf
DK-150779-UL | IECEE Certificates
7
29 February  6084HH_Report_CB_Safety_IEC62368-
Refused in ful  under section 18(d)
2024
1_E513139-A6065-CB-1.pdf
pc_2149-CB_Report_USB-EXT-2-1G
8
6 May 2025
6084JH_Cert_CB_Safety_IEC62368-1_DK-
Refused in ful  under section 18(d)
150779-M3-UL_(Thailand Factory).pdf
DK-150779-M3-UL | IECEE
Certificates
9

6092HH Antenna Specification.pdf
Refused in ful  under section 18(d)
6937186.pdf
10  2023
AFC System to AFC Device Interface
Refused in ful  under section 18(d)
Specification v1.5.pdf
6 GHz AFC Resources | Wi-Fi
Alliance
11  2023
AFC_System_Reference_Model_v1.0.pdf
Refused in ful  under section 18(d)
6 GHz AFC Resources | Wi-Fi
Alliance
12  2025
Cambium_Networks_data_sheet_2x2_450v.pdf  Refused in ful  under section 18(d)
Cambium_Networks_data_sheet_2
x2_PMP_450v_SM.pdf

#
Date
Description
Link to publicly available
information
13  2024
Cambium_Networks_data_sheet_PMP_450v
Refused in ful  under section 18(d)
AP.pdf
PMP-450v-4x4-Fixed-Wireless-SM-
and-PTP-Backhaul-Data-Sheet.pdf
14  15 March
DA-24-166A1_Rcd.pdf
Refused in ful  under section 18(d)
2024
DA-24-166A1.pdf
15  5 February
E513139-A6065-CB-1-Amendment-1.pdf
Refused in ful  under section 18(d)
2025
Test-Report-Audio_Video-Info-and-
Comm-Tech-Equipment-Safety-
Requirements-E322375-A6031-CB-
1.pdf
WGNDOC01-#5123270-v5-MBIE_- Licence
Refused in ful  under section 18(d)
Agreement
https://www.rsm.govt.nz/assets/Up
16
(for licences within 3.30-3.34GHz
loads/documents/auctions/licence-
Non-national spectrum)
agreement-for-licences-within-3.30-
3.34ghz.pdf
with [operator]