Re-auction of Christchurch commercial licence for FM radio

MED intends to re-auction a local commercial FM licence with Christchurch coverage. Auction 10a will be held on Thursday 30 October 2008.

The licence was included in Auction 10 held in May this year. It has subsequently become available as a result of the failure of the successful bidder to settle the transaction. The re-auction provides a further opportunity for local commercial operators in Christchurch, including those who did not bid in Auction 10.

To ensure that the licence remains in local control and serves the local community, the terms and conditions of the auction require that the successful bidder resides within the coverage area and that the licensee targets the needs and expectations of the local community. These requirements are unchanged from those applied previously.

Interested parties should register with MED before 15 October 2008 at radio.spectrum@med.govt.nz.

Full details of the auction will be provided to registered parties and published on MED's Radio Spectrum Management website, www.rsm.govt.nz, in due course.

Availability of other unsold licences

Several FM licences in other areas were not sold when they were offered as local commercial licences earlier this year. These are now available as normal commercial licences. Any immediate use would be temporary - until June 2009 - pending final decisions on an auction of these licences on a long-term basis.