Printed from https://fyi.org.nz/request/33735-staff-hours-and-costs-incurred-administering-the-3-3-3-34ghz-regional-spectrum-allocation-process-including-outcomes-achieved on February 18, 2026 14:34

Staff hours and costs incurred administering the 3.3-3.34GHz regional spectrum allocation process, including outcomes achieved

Sam Brown made this Official Information request to Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

Currently waiting for a response from Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment, they must respond promptly and normally no later than (details and exceptions).

From: Sam Brown

Dear MBIE Radio Spectrum Management,

Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request information regarding the resources expended on the 3.3-3.34GHz regional spectrum allocation process conducted approximately 2022-2023:

1. Staff time and internal costs

- Total staff hours spent on policy development, design, and administration of the 3.3-3.34GHz exclusive rights to apply process
- Staff hours spent processing exclusive rights applications and associated correspondence
- Estimated internal cost (salary/overhead basis) attributable to this process
- Staff time spent managing the forfeiture process when exclusive rights were not converted to licences

2. External and associated costs

- Any external consultant, legal, or advisory costs incurred in designing or administering the process
- Any costs associated with advertising, public consultation, or stakeholder engagement
- IT or system costs for managing applications or the allocation process
- Any costs associated with post-process review or lessons learned activities

3. Outcomes achieved

- Number of exclusive rights to apply granted
- Number of exclusive rights successfully converted to spectrum licences
- Number of exclusive rights forfeited or allowed to lapse
- Current utilisation status of 3.3-3.34GHz spectrum in regions where exclusive rights were forfeited (i.e., whether the spectrum remains unused)
- Whether any post-process review or lessons learned document was produced, and if so, please provide it

4. Opportunity cost context

- Whether RSM assessed alternative allocation approaches (e.g., direct licensing, open access, shorter-duration licences) and, if so, any comparative analysis of those alternatives versus the exclusive rights approach chosen

Timeframe: 1 January 2022 to present

Context: The 3.3-3.34GHz process appears to have left spectrum unused in multiple regions despite industry interest, suggesting the allocation mechanism was poorly suited to the market. Understanding the public resources expended - and whether an adequate post-process review was conducted - is relevant to assessing value for public money in spectrum management and whether lessons have been, or will be applied to subsequent allocation decisions.

Ngā mihi,

Sam Brown

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From: Ministerials
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment

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Kia ora Sam Brown,
 
On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment I
acknowledge your email of 15/02/2026 requesting, under the Official
Information Act 1982, the following:
 
Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request information regarding
the resources expended on the 3.3-3.34GHz regional spectrum allocation
process conducted approximately 2022-2023:

1. Staff time and internal costs

- Total staff hours spent on policy development, design, and
administration of the 3.3-3.34GHz exclusive rights to apply process
- Staff hours spent processing exclusive rights applications and
associated correspondence
- Estimated internal cost (salary/overhead basis) attributable to this
process
- Staff time spent managing the forfeiture process when exclusive rights
were not converted to licences

2. External and associated costs

- Any external consultant, legal, or advisory costs incurred in designing
or administering the process
- Any costs associated with advertising, public consultation, or
stakeholder engagement
- IT or system costs for managing applications or the allocation process
- Any costs associated with post-process review or lessons learned
activities

3. Outcomes achieved

- Number of exclusive rights to apply granted
- Number of exclusive rights successfully converted to spectrum licences
- Number of exclusive rights forfeited or allowed to lapse
- Current utilisation status of 3.3-3.34GHz spectrum in regions where
exclusive rights were forfeited (i.e., whether the spectrum remains
unused)
- Whether any post-process review or lessons learned document was
produced, and if so, please provide it

4. Opportunity cost context

- Whether RSM assessed alternative allocation approaches (e.g., direct
licensing, open access, shorter-duration licences) and, if so, any
comparative analysis of those alternatives versus the exclusive rights
approach chosen
 
We will endeavour to respond to your request as soon as possible, and no
later than 13/03/2026, being 20 working days after the day your request
was received. If we are unable to respond to your request by then, we will
notify you of an extension of that timeframe. If you have any enquiries
regarding your request feel free to contact us via email to
[1][MBIE request email].
 
Nāku noa, nā
Ministerial Services
Strategy and Assurance
Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
15 Stout Street, Wellington 6011 |  P O Box 1473 Wellington 6140

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