Peak body welcomes spectrum licence fees update

Telco regulator's approach includes revised pricing methodology.

"ACMA has clearly shifted its approach in response to strong evidence and increased public scrutiny."

Those were the words of ACCAN (Australian Communications Consumer Action Network) CEO Carol Bennett, who was referring to the Australian Communications and Media Authority, following the telco regulator's release of its plan for the future of public airwaves in Australia.

Under the plan, the licences currently used by Australia's three mobile networks and the wireless component of the National Broadband Network will be renewed, with an estimated market value of $4.8b (AU$7.3b). This represents an increase of as much as AU$2.3b.

ACMA Chair Nerida O'Loughlin noted: "Renewing these licences will provide certainty for industry and customers, enabling providers to continue to deliver their existing mobile networks whilst accommodating new technologies that will benefit consumers and businesses nationwide.

"This spectrum is the backbone of the communications networks that support Australians' digital lives, including new services such as those delivered over low earth orbit satellites to Australians in regional and remote parts of the country."

Until 27 February 2026, the ACMA is consulting on its updated benchmarking methodology for valuing the spectrum and revised preliminary views on the price for renewing expiring spectrum licenses.

Commenting on the development, Bennett said: "ACMA's revised valuation is more than double the estimates of some industry representatives – who proposed giving telcos cut-price access to valuable spectrum.

"Spectrum is a scarce and valuable public resource. In each and every decision, ACMA must start from a position that serves the public interest before the interests of Australia's large corporations."

The CEO, whose camp welcomed the "fairer" pricing, went on to state: "Now that ACMA has decided to renew licences rather than use the OECD's (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) 'gold standard' auction approach, it is essential that strong licence conditions are applied."

According to O'Loughlin, extensive consultations and stakeholder engagement found no evidence that a new entrant into Australia's national mobile market is likely.