After the incumbent telecom utilised historical access to the 900MHz frequency to obstruct Optus’ 5G network rollout, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission took action against Telstra for spectrum hoarding.
The carrier has offered a legally binding assurance to resolve the matter, which the ACCC has accepted.
According to the commission, Optus’ intentions to roll out its 5G network countrywide were “interfered with” by certain of Telstra’s registrations of radiocommunication stations.
As Telstra was aware of the significance of this spectrum band to Optus’ 5G deployment plan, the ACCC considered the registration of 315 sites in the 900MHz range “had the substantial intention or foreseeable effect of decreasing competition by Optus.”
For its 2G network, which was shut down in 2016, Telstra was able to take advantage of ongoing access to 900MHz spectrum.
According to the carrier’s promise, it held just 109 registrations for 900MHz sites as of the end of January 2022 and hadn’t registered a site since 2016.
After Optus won the entirety of the 900MHz spectrum up for bid in the ACMA’s spectrum auction late last year, the ACMA indicated it would allow for network building prior to the auctioned spectrum’s start in July 2024.
As Telstra was aware of the significance of this spectrum band to Optus’ 5G deployment plan, the ACCC considered the registration of 315 sites in the 900MHz range “had the substantial intention or foreseeable effect of decreasing competition by Optus.”
For its 2G network, which was shut down in 2016, Telstra was able to take advantage of ongoing access to 900MHz spectrum.
According to the carrier’s promise [pdf], it held just 109 registrations for 900MHz sites as of the end of January 2022 and hadn’t registered a site since 2016.
After Optus won the entirety of the 900MHz spectrum up for bid in the ACMA’s spectrum auction late last year, the ACMA indicated it would allow for network building prior to the auctioned spectrum’s start in July 2024.