Spectrum Online access to the New Zealand Register of Radio Frequencies

Spectrum Online is an extract from the Register of Radio Frequencies database of radio frequencies for the licensing of the radio spectrum in New Zealand.

The full Register of Radio Frequencies was created under the provision of the Radiocommunications Act 1989, and is available online via the SMART system. Clients can use SMART to carry out comprehensive searches of the Register as well as other online activities such as applying for licences, paying annual fees, and maintaining their client details.

Spectrum Online contains a copy of limited SMART data that is extracted daily at 22:00 NZST (10:00 GMT).

With the introduction of SMART’s comprehensive search capability, Spectrum Online has been further limited to basic searching by radio or spectrum licence  or management right to facilitate area searching, a feature not currently available in SMART.

For instructions on how to use Spectrum Online, use the training guide [458 KB PDF] (free Acrobat Reader utility for PDF files).  Please note this contains references to the PRISMS Lite software which has been decommissioned, but the Spectrum Search Lite software is still available for download with an updatable database.

Please email RSM at info@rsm.govt.nz or free phone 0508 RSM INFO (0508 776 463) if you require any assistance with Spectrum Online.

Radio Licences

Radio Licences are issued under an administrative system where licences must be revalidated each year. Licences generally specify the equipment and methods to be used. 

Spectrum Licences (or Licence Rights)

Spectrum Licence rights are rights for the use of the spectrum. There are three types of spectrum licence. The most common type is a licence to transmit radio waves and to have no interference. These confer the right to make transmission on a specified frequency and the right to stop other persons transmitting interfering signals on the same frequency. The other two licence types are licences to have no interference on a specified frequency and licences to transmit unwanted emissions.

Spectrum licences generally do not concern themselves with the equipment or transmission methods used. They define an envelope within which the licence holder is free to operate at their discretion.

Management Rights

Management rights cover a block of the radio spectrum. They are essentially the right to issue spectrum licences for the use of that part of the spectrum. Management rights do not themselves confer the right to make any transmissions.

Records Withheld from Public Access

Section 28 of the Radiocommunications Act 1989 provides that two types of records shall be withheld from general public access and may not be viewed in the Register except by approved persons. The first is the residential address of natural persons who have asked the Registrar that this information not be given out. The second is any record where the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Economic Development has advised the Registrar that the release of the record could be prejudicial to the security or defence of New Zealand.

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