(Telecompaper) New Zealand has announced plans to auction the 700 MHz band 'digital dividend' by the end of this year. The government will offer nine blocks of 2x5 MHz in the auction, under licences valid from the start of 2014 to 20 November 2031. Each bidder will be limited to 2x15 MHz, which could be relaxed to 2x20 MHz during the auction depending on demand. Successful bidders will be subject to both implementation requirements for spectrum purchased and a broader obligation to extend mobile coverage. The detailed auction format, rules, and implementation requirements will be the subject of a further consultation, which is planned to start in April. Following this, a subcommittee of ministers will finalise the terms of the auction, and the bidding is expected to be held in the third quarter.