The regulator is set to make critical decisions on expiring licences and the upper 6GHz band, while supporting the introduction of a novel mobile USO
ACMA has completed the annual update to its medium-term spectrum strategy
On 29 October 2025, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) released its Five-year spectrum outlook (FYSO) for 2025-2030. Updated annually, each FYSO enables the regulator to engage with operators and other stakeholders, helping it to set and maintain the country’s spectrum management priorities. In March 2025, ACMA invited comments on the draft FYSO, receiving 35 submissions, including from industry bodies, government agencies, individuals and the satellite and telecoms sectors. While the regulator considered that stakeholder responses largely supported its proposals, it stressed that it has reviewed all feedback and indicated in the final version where it has adjusted its work plan as a result. Informed by spectrum users, the FYSO therefore outlines:
The technology, market and policy drivers likely to shape spectrum demand over the next five years;
The factors used to inform ACMA’s planning and spectrum allocation priorities; and
The regulator’s annual spectrum work programme, with activities and milestones for the current (2025/2026) financial year.
The regulator will monitor upper 6GHz developments in Europe and India before enabling part of the band’s use for mobile services
As many spectrum licences across different bands are due to expire between 2028 and 2032, ACMA’s expiring spectrum licences (ESL) project is a key priority for the short term. It is the regulator’s role to consider potential options for the expiring licences and underlying spectrum, consistent with its responsibilities and objectives. ACMA has also incorporated the goals of the Government, communicated through the 2024 ESL Ministerial Policy Statement, into its framework. ACMA will release its final view on the future of ESLs by the end of 2025 but has already set out its provisional position that the best way of facilitating investment in mobile infrastructure is to renew the expiring licences that mobile operators currently hold. The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) has nevertheless urged the regulator to cut renewal prices by 50% to enable operators to focus scarce capital on critical network rollouts and upgrades. ACMA is also aiming to implement its planning decision for the upper 6GHz (6425-7125MHz) band that, in December 2024, made 5925-6585MHz spectrum available for use by radio local area networks (RLANs, e.g. Wi-Fi). In parallel, the regulator will continue to monitor international developments – particularly in Europe and India – to inform its future enablement of wide-area wireless broadband (WBB) deployments in parts of the band, although this will only move forward “once the uncertainty surrounding equipment availability has been resolved”.
The Government is progressing a pioneering plan to use LEO satellites to connect unserved areas
As part of the FYSO, ACMA will also continue to support innovation in the satellite sector, particularly where it has the potential to enhance regional connectivity. This includes ensuring that regulatory arrangements and spectrum access for satellite will enable Australia to fully benefit from developments in emerging low earth orbit (LEO) technologies, including through the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO). In February 2025, the Government announced plans for a “world first reform” to deliver basic outdoor mobile coverage across almost the whole country. The proposal has been made possible by the recent arrival of direct-to-device (D2D) technology, which the Government wants to become part of a modernised and expanded voice universal service obligation (USO). Despite a warning from the Australian Telecommunications Alliance (ATA, previously Comms Alliance) that a legislated requirement to deliver coverage via LEO satellites could reduce investment incentives for new mobile towers, the Government remains eager that the obligation comes into effect “as soon as possible”, issuing a consultation on draft legislation in September 2025. ACMA stated that it will collaborate with the Government on spectrum management aspects of the UOMO, for example analysing how the provision of D2D services covered by the obligation might work in Australia’s external territories (that are not part of the mainland or of any state), which are not subject to spectrum licensing.
