NICTA opens 5G spectrum licensing in Papua New Guinea

TL;DR: Papua New Guinea regulator NICTA said on Friday it is ready to issue 5G spectrum licences in the 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands to qualified mobile operators. The framework also requires 4G expansion to 20 new Universal Access and Service Program sites, while Vodafone PNG has committed to specific 5G rollout targets.

Papua New Guinea’s National Information and Communications Technology Authority (NICTA) said on Friday that it is ready to issue 5G spectrum licences in the 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands to qualified mobile operators.

NICTA said it has completed the legal, technical and regulatory work for the 5G licensing framework after several years of spectrum planning, market assessments, industry consultations and reviews of international practice. NICTA said the framework includes rollout requirements intended to extend the benefits of new spectrum beyond major urban centres.

NICTA said the 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands are approved for both 4G and 5G use, and the licences will require operators to extend 4G coverage to 20 new sites identified under the Universal Access and Service Program.

NICTA said Vodafone PNG has already committed to rolling out 5G across the National Capital District and at least one additional city within 18 months. Vodafone PNG’s targets include reaching at least 20% of Papua New Guinea’s population within 36 months and 30% within 60 months. Digicel PNG said in July that it had completed end-to-end 5G readiness testing on its network.