ACMA developing spectrum trading site

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is aiming to simplify Australia's spectrum trading and leasing market with a number of new initiatives, including a new online system for spectrum trading.

ACMA announced today that an online system would be introduced to replace the paper-based system for registering licence trades and transfers, aiming to reduce regulatory burdens on trading spectrum. The authority also plans to include a trading page on the ACMA website that includes information on licence trades and transfers.

"The continual evolution of wireless technologies and the rapidly growing demand for spectrum make it critically important that spectrum markets work efficiently so Australia gets the greatest benefit from this important resource," ACMA chairman Chris Chapman said in a statement.

The online trading system won't be a real-time trading system such as eBay, however, because the trades and transfers will still need to be checked by ACMA staff prior to registration.

The ACMA told ZDNet Australia that the system will be developed and implemented during the 2011 and 2012 financial years.

In addition to the online trading system, ACMA will monitor the removal of stamp duties on spectrum trades in 2013.

ACMA copped criticism from Optus earlier this year for taking too long on spectrum allocation decisions. Optus also predicted that the 700MHz and 2.5GHz bands of spectrum would be heavily contested when it is finally sold off.