Ref: 2122-2119

Dear Jonathan Brewer,

On behalf of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment I
acknowledge your email of 9 May 2022 requesting under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act), the following:

“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?”

Your request is being processed in accordance with the Act and a response
will be sent to you in due course.

If you have any enquiries regarding your request, or its urgency, feel
free to contact us via email at [1][MBIE request email].

Nâku noa, nâ

Ministerial Services

Ngâ Pou o te Taumaru

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment

Level 4, 15 Stout Street, PO Box 1473, Wellington 6140

NZBN 9429000106078

 

[2]www.govt.nz - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government
services

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Kia ora Mr Brewer

Thank you for your OIA request of 9 May 2022.

We have not identified any information provided to Cabinet that mentions the two options outlined in the presentation to the Technical Working Group that you have referred to. However we have identified a Cabinet paper called "Allocation of 3.5 GHz spectrum to support the rollout of 5G and the advancement of rural connectivity" which we believe may be of interest to you based on your email.

The Ministry is enquiring whether you would like to change the scope of your request to be for this Cabinet paper instead?

Please note that if you agree to this change, it is likely that a transfer to the Minister of Digital Economy and Communications may be necessary as the proper decision-maker on this material.

Alternatively, we would be grateful for any further guidance on the information you are requesting.

Ngā mihi

Melanie
Senior Ministerial Advisor

Building Resources and Markets
Hīkina Whakatutuki - Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Poutāpeta – Postal : PO Box 1473| Te Whanganui-a-Tara - Wellington 6011 |

-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan Brewer <[FOI #19294 email]>
Sent: Monday, 9 May 2022 3:17 PM
To: *OIA <[email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Default synchronisation and frame structure for 3.3-3.8 GHz mobile broadband use

Dear Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment,

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?

Yours faithfully,

Jonathan Brewer

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This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[FOI #19294 email]

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Any opinions expressed in this message are not necessarily those of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. This message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or the person responsible for delivery to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this message in error and that any use is strictly prohibited. Please contact the sender and delete the message and any attachment from your computer.
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Dear Mr Brewer

 

Please find a letter attached regarding your recent OIA request.

 

 

Ngā mihi

Melanie

 

 

Senior Ministerial Advisor

Building, Resources and Markets

 

[1]Description: cid:image001.jpg@01CE732A.1A2F9630

 

[2]www.govt.nz - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government
services

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Any opinions expressed in this message are not necessarily those of the
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. This message and any
files transmitted with it are confidential and solely for the use of the
intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or the person
responsible for delivery to the intended recipient, be advised that you
have received this message in error and that any use is strictly
prohibited. Please contact the sender and delete the message and any
attachment from your computer.

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Dear Mr Brewer

 

Please find a letter attached regarding your recent OIA request.

 

 

Ngā mihi

Melanie

 

 

Senior Ministerial Advisor

Building, Resources and Markets

 

[1]Description: cid:image001.jpg@01CE732A.1A2F9630

 

[2]www.govt.nz - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government
services

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Any opinions expressed in this message are not necessarily those of the
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. This message and any
files transmitted with it are confidential and solely for the use of the
intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or the person
responsible for delivery to the intended recipient, be advised that you
have received this message in error and that any use is strictly
prohibited. Please contact the sender and delete the message and any
attachment from your computer.

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Kia ora Jonathan,

 

Please find attached a response to your OIA request from Hon Dr David
Clark.

 

Kind regards,

 

[1]cid:image001.jpg@01D433B3.8E157340 Office of Hon
Dr David Clark

Minister of
Commerce and
Consumer
Affairs

Minister for
the Digital
Economy and
Communications

Minister for
State Owned
Enterprises

Minister of
Statistics

Minister
Responsible
for the
Earthquake
Commission

 

 

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Dear Mr Brewer

 

Please find attached a letter and documents in response to your recent OIA
request.

 

 

Ngā mihi

Melanie

 

 

Senior Ministerial Advisor

Building, Resources and Markets

 

[1]Description: cid:image001.jpg@01CE732A.1A2F9630

 

[2]www.govt.nz - your guide to finding and using New Zealand government
services

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Any opinions expressed in this message are not necessarily those of the
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. This message and any
files transmitted with it are confidential and solely for the use of the
intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or the person
responsible for delivery to the intended recipient, be advised that you
have received this message in error and that any use is strictly
prohibited. Please contact the sender and delete the message and any
attachment from your computer.

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