CANBERRA: The Federal Government has announced strict new limits on the purchase of new high-level 5G spectrum to be made available at auction in March next year. The auction of 26GHz spectrum will be the first time high-band 5G spectrum has been made available in Australia.

According to Comms Minister Paul Fletcher, this spectrum is a critical enabler for modern digital economies, vital for applications such as robotics, automated vehicles, advanced manufacturing and the remote operation of heavy vehicles and equipment used in resources and construction.

Other applications include networks of soil moisture monitors on farms to allow improved yields while using less water.

“Australia has been among the world leaders in rolling out 5G networks. To maintain our position we need to make the necessary spectrum available as quickly as possible,” Minister Fletcher said.