ACMA takes the 400 MHz review on the road

Since early 2008, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been undertaking a review of arrangements for the radiofrequency spectrum in the range 403-520 MHz (the 400 MHz band).

The 400 MHz band is predominately used for the land mobile service, but also accommodates other systems, including the fixed (point-to-point and point-to-multipoint), radiolocation and amateur services.

The broad objectives of the review of the 400 MHz band included implementing measures to improve the harmonisation of spectrum use by certain government agencies to assist in radiocommunications interoperability objectives and the development of efficient government networks.

The review also looked at improving the relevant frequency assigning and licensing mechanisms; facilitating new technologies and possibly complementary uses of the band; and implementing arrangements that take advantage of the different spectrum management requirements and challenges between different geographic areas.

The ACMA realised early on that effective consultation was critical to the success of the project. To ensure the views of industry were heard and to inform to review as much as possible, a multilayered consultation plan was created.

During the consultation the ACMA released three papers, including the release of the final outcomes of the review of the 400 MHz band in April 2010 in ‘The Way Ahead - Decisions and Implementation Options for the 400 MHz band’ (available at www.acma.gov.au/400MHzreview).

ACMA engineers have also discussed the 400 MHz review at a number of conferences, including the ACMA’s annual RadComms conferences.

As part of the consultation process, engineers from the ACMA Spectrum Planning Branch conducted a series of seminars called ‘The 400 MHz Road Show’ at locations throughout Australia during July and August.

The road show was a series of regulatory tune-ups designed to tell licensees and stakeholders of changes to the 400 MHz band.

The road show visited all state capitals and Townsville, Queensland, and provided affected users around the country with an opportunity to learn about changes to arrangements in the 400 MHz band and discuss the changes with ACMA engineers.

Industry and government representatives made presentations on the new arrangements as well as presentations from ACMA engineering staff outlining the new arrangements and proposed transition processes.

Feedback from the road show is now being used to develop tools to assist users whose spectrum arrangements have changed.

The Way Ahead paper and the 400 MHz Road Show mark the end of a two-year review of the 400 MHz band, with three consultation papers released by the ACMA for public comment throughout the review. The ACMA was commended on the road show for the transparency of the review.

“The ACMA, as industry regulator, has managed the process thus far extremely well and should be congratulated for its consultative approach,” said Chris Kelly, president of the Australian Radiocommunications Industry Association at the Melbourne road show.

“The process is an excellent example of the way consultative regulation should be created and changes implemented.”

The outcomes of the review also received broad support from government agencies. As an outcome of the review, a number of blocks in the 400 MHz band have been identified for the exclusive use of government, primarily to support national security, law enforcement and emergency services to facilitate interoperability objectives.

“The Queensland Government supports ACMA’s decisions and implementation options for the 400 MHz band,” said Jim Wyatt, director of telecommunications and broadband strategy Queensland at the Queensland Department of Public Works at the Townsville Road Show.

Further information on the outcomes of the 400 MHz review and the presentations from the 400 MHz Road Show can be found on the ACMA website at www.acma.gov.au/400MHzreview.

* Bridget Lally began working as a cadet engineer at the ACMA in 2006. Over the past four years she has worked on a number of projects in the Spectrum Infrastructure Branch. She is currently a senior radiocommunications engineer in the ACMA’s Spectrum Engineering Section and was part of the ACMA’s 400 MHz review team. Bridget holds a Bachelor of Engineering with Honours and a Bachelor of Commerce from the Australian National University and is currently studying a Graduate Certificate in Engineering from the University of Technology, Sydney.

ACMA

http://www.acma.gov.au