Luke Coleman, CEO ATA Speech to ACMA RadComms
Spectrum futures: planning, collaboration and optimisation for 6G and beyond
25 August 2026
Good morning everyone and a big thanks to the ACMA for the invitation to speak today.
Connectivity has become critical national infrastructure, underpinning Australia’s economic prosperity, social inclusion, and future competitiveness.
As we move into the 2030’s, connectivity will only become more critical – so we need to actively anticipate how we’ll meet the evolving needs of society.
The opportunity before us is not simply about faster networks, or the next generation of technology.
It’s about the kind of country we want Australia to be over the coming decades.
It’s about creating the conditions for future technologies to work together, delivering trusted, affordable, resilient and ubiquitous connectivity that empowers Australians, strengthens communities, and drives economic growth.
The future technologies I’m referring to are 6G and direct to device, or D2D.
Direct to device is also referred to as Direct-to-Handset, Satellite-to-Mobile, or in the 3GPP parlance, Non-Terrestrial Networks or NTN.
So, we’ve successfully created four different acronyms for the one technology, which is a feat only the telecoms sector could have accomplished.
6G is already under active development through 3GPP, with equipment suppliers and mobile operators around the world closely engaged in shaping the next generation of wireless technology, and fortunately, there is only one acronym.
Over the next few years, we expect to see a growing number of 6G trials, pilots and innovations in preparation for commercial deployments from some time in 2029, which is now firmly within the planning horizon.
Direct-to-device is following a similar trajectory.
While early services are already available today, they represent only the first step.
As international standards for non-terrestrial networks become more deeply integrated with terrestrial mobile networks, capabilities will grow significantly, improving both performance and the customer experience.
6G and direct-to-device are not two separate technologies. ‘Non-Terrestrial Networks’ are evolving from a supplementary 5G feature into a native pillar of the 6G architecture.
While 5G introduced basic satellite integration, 3GPP’s Release 20 and Release 21 frameworks are targeting seamless terrestrial and non-terrestrial integration for the 6G era.
Together, by the time of the upcoming Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics in 2032, 6G and D2D have the potential to deliver smarter and more efficient networks, greater resilience, and connectivity that reaches further than ever before.
Australia’s mobile industry is ready to help unlock these opportunities, but we can’t do it alone.
The appetite for mobile data isn’t unique to Australia.
Globally, mobile data traffic is expected to grow 2.2 times between now and 2031.
And that figure increases to 2.5 times when you include fixed wireless access services.
And while telcos are preparing for the arrival of 6G, the share of mobile data consumed on 5G networks is expected to grow from 48% to 85% over the next five years.
This is important, because it tells us that traffic demand, driven by AI and our ever-increasing need for access to data anytime and anywhere, is not slowing or flattening.
On the contrary, it is still increasing.
To fully realise these opportunities, Australia needs a more strategic and coordinated approach to spectrum planning.
By coordinated, we mean Government, the ACMA, the Department of Communications, and industry working together with a shared vision, clear priorities and timely decision-making.
This is one of the reasons we’ve called for a National Spectrum Strategy: not simply to encourage alignment, but to actively enable it in support of clear long-term national objectives.
New technologies require affordable access to new spectrum, particularly in their formative years.
Doing so creates the headroom needed for investment, innovation and scale, while minimising disruption to existing services and avoiding the need for premature transitions or accelerated spectrum refarming.
The spectrum requirements of both 6G and D2D are broadly understood, and are being discussed here at RadComms.
For an effective launch of competitive 6G networks from some time in 2029, mobile operators need three lots of 200 MHz of contiguous, harmonised spectrum in the upper 6 GHz band.
I could wrap up my speech there and sit down, because that’s it in a nutshell.
Three lots. 200 MHz. Contiguous, harmonised spectrum in the upper 6 GHz band, ready for use from 2029.
This would be aligned to the European approach.
The 3GPP standard allows for up to 400MHz in a single carrier for 6G, so three blocks of 200MHz is not even maximising the possibilities of 6G when it comes to network efficiency and throughput.
The challenge now is not identifying the opportunities, but making the decisions needed to realise them.
If Australia is to capture the full economic and social benefits these technologies have to offer, several key actions need to be progressed as a matter of urgency.
To help provide that clarity, industry has developed a ‘Spectrum readiness roadmap’ focussed on 6G and D2D, and the steps required to enable them.
We intend to revisit the roadmap, and our progress towards each priority, on a regular basis.
Let me step you through the roadmap now.
Four priorities stand out.
The first two are about enabling Australia’s successful transition to 6G:
- Launch 6G from 2029 with new 6 GHz spectrum
- Build a long-term future for television services, while freeing up low-band 600MHz spectrum for 6G
The second two are about enabling UOMO and D2D services:
- Enabling access harmonised 2 GHz MSS spectrum for ubiquitous mobile communications
- Develop new spectrum options to support future D2D growth
Here’s a bit more detail on what’s needed for the next three years, setting out the key milestones and outcomes needed to fully enable both 6G and D2D services.
Importantly, these are sequential pathways, with the most crucial immediate actions shaded in gold.
Priority one: 6 GHz spectrum for 6G launch
We want Australia to continue being a global connectivity leader, so our focus — as with other leading markets — needs to be on enabling a commercial 6G launch from 2029.
This is only three years away.
Just a few short weeks ago, Australia was a signatory to the international Call to Action for 6G Leadership and Security.[1]
This was led by the US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (the NTIA), and had the support of more than 20 other countries committed to 6G development.
In announcing this ‘Call to action’, the US Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information said it reflected an “unprecedented level of international co-ordination”. [2]
Australia needs a clear path to bring this to life.
Australia already supports WRC-27 Agenda Item 1.7, which includes consideration of lower 7 GHz for IMT.
Combined with the existing IMT identification in Upper 6 GHz, we have an opportunity to lead in the development of a globally harmonised 6 GHz ecosystem.
We can do this by recognising the coming together of the upper 6 and the lower 7 GHz spectrum, and planning for a single allocation process – one auction.
This is an important step needed to avoid the fragmentation we have in the 3 GHz band.
If we get this right, Australians will benefit from an immediate capability unlock when 6G is launched at the turn of the decade.
We’d like to see clarity on the intended outcome, with a clear plan to provide industry with certainty to underpin investment.
The clearance of incumbents in future 6G spectrum bands needs to start now.
What does success look like?
From 2029, Australia has internationally-harmonised 6G spectrum available and industry can commence deployment alongside leading global markets.
Priority two: Protecting TV for Australians and unlocking a 6G low band
At RadComms 2024, the then-Minister for Communications announced the Government’s intention to explore pathways for the future of television.
This is something the ATA strongly supports.
Free-to-air television is part of Australia’s social fabric.
It connects Australians through major national moments, provides trusted news and information, and plays a vital role during emergencies.
Free to air is also going through a period of great disruption as Australians’ viewing habits trend towards online content.
That makes now the right time to consider what the future of television in Australia should look like.
The ATA is hopeful the proposed review will identify technology pathways that allow television to remain relevant and accessible for Australians, while also creating the opportunity to free up valuable low-band 600 MHz spectrum for mobile services, ensuring 6G is also available in regional and remote locations.
This would be the next digital dividend: spectrum capable of extending 6G coverage across regional Australia and improving indoor connectivity, for Australia’s benefit.
Experience shows that broadcasting reform can take many years to design and implement, which is why we encourage the Government to begin a broader public discussion on the future of broadcasting as soon as possible.
The mobile industry is seeking clarity on the pathway to 600 MHz by the end of 2027, supporting a reallocation process around 2029 and licence commencement from 2032.
That would establish the foundation for wide-area 6G coverage across Australia.
Together, priorities one and two address the two essential ingredients of a successful 6G platform: capacity and coverage.
Priority three: Unlocking UOMO for the entire Australian community
D2D is a game changer for Australia.
Unique in the world, Australia is a massive country, but our population is highly concentrated around the coast and regional centres.
Terrestrial networks will always provide the best experience, but D2D keeps Australians connected wherever they are.
The Government’s new UOMO proposal seeks to keep Australians connected using next generation technology to extend D2D to voice.
It’s a great initiative but comes with significant challenges.
Key among them is spectrum.
Today, the 2 GHz MSS band is the only spectrum in Australia that can support next generation satellite services.
3GPP NTN technology will emerge over the next few years and will, at some point, be capable of carrier-grade voice.
This means how the 2 GHz MSS band is licensed is critical.
The ACMA’s licensing model must be fit-for-purpose to deliver UOMO services.
It must ensure Australia’s sovereign interests are protected and MNOs have flexibility.
It should enable partnerships with multiple satellite providers over time, rather than locking in a particular delivery model too early.
This would align strongly with UOMO delivery, while preserving flexibility as the market matures.
Alternative approaches risk introducing unnecessary uncertainty, reducing flexibility, and delaying UOMO’s universal coverage objectives.
While the immediate question is relatively straightforward — how do we make best use of the 2 GHz MSS band to support UOMO and D2D services? — What matters is getting the licensing right. This is not one to rush.
Priority four: planning for D2D growth
Just like terrestrial networks, Australians will find more and more things to do with D2D services. This means planning ahead for additional spectrum that can be used for D2D.
Future growth cannot rely on a single MSS band.
We need a longer-term vision, even if it challenges current assumptions.
Does scarce L-band and S-band spectrum support Australia’s connectivity objectives?
We should also consider the future role of bands such as 1800 MHz in supporting D2D services.
We need to be thinking about D2D growth now, rather than beginning that conversation once demand is increasing.
Taken together, priorities three and four address both the deployment of D2D services and the longer-term spectrum framework needed to support their growth.
I’ll close by saying that the opportunities before us are clear.
The spectrum, the technology, and the policy and planning decisions we need are already visible.
The challenge now is taking action to deliver them.
We need to work together to ensure Australians benefit from the technologies that will define the next decade.
In this spirit, the roadmap is not intended to be a record of aspirations but a means for cooperation, alignment and progress.
By maintaining a clear focus on priorities and working together across Government, the ACMA and Industry, Australia will benefit from timely 6G deployment and ubiquitous connectivity with D2D, to the benefit of all Australians.
[1] https://www.ntia.gov/other-publication/2026/call-action-6g-leadership-and-security
[2] https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/australia-joins-6g-push-in-move-to-counter-china-influence/news-story/7e696d34c1c1f5b3d3e36e47bcb56e98?eafs_enabled=false
