Six providers for WiMax broadband

By TOM PULLAR-STRECKER - The Dominion Post

A Government plan to auction two big blocks of prized radio spectrum in December will ensure at least six national providers of high-speed WiMax wireless broadband.

The price of fostering competition will be a reduction in the tens of millions of dollars that are expected to flow into the Treasury's offers from the sale.

Communications Minister David Cunliffe announced plans to push back the sale of 100MHz of spectrum in the 2.3GHz band till the end of the year, when it can be sold alongside another block of radio spectrum in the 2.5GHz band.

The decision means the Government will be able to offer six different companies sufficient spectrum to launch a national WiMax service, while still reserving some for community use.

The move reduced fears that market heavyweights Telecom and Vodafone would eat up much of the spectrum at the expense of smaller rivals.

Junior telecommunications companies Woosh, Kordia, CallPlus and NZ Wireless have all expressed interest in the WiMax spectrum.

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