Critical communications industry involvement and recognition

ARCIA would like to thank the team at Westwick-Farrow Media and Rob Howes, ARCIA Western Australia, for working together and making the combined event in Perth a huge success. ARCIA has been listening to your feedback and, as we continue to refine these events, we understand that people enjoy a combination of technical information and networking with industry peers. Along with the tremendous support we receive from Westwick-Farrow, the ARCIA committee has decided to continue the same model for all state events... of course, leading up to the big one in Melbourne.

ARCIA has also started to recognise industry people at each state event and we are delighted to announce that the first Western Australian winner was Ralph Dix, known for his role in training most of the radio communications apprentices in WA for many years. This was a popular choice and a recognition of a dedicated and committed trainer. We will also be making similar presentations in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide, so please put your thinking caps on and nominate your local state nominee - someone who has gone out of their way to promote our industry.

The next event will be Comms Connect Sydney, and ARCIA will once again be running a networking dinner at the Novatel Homebush. I call on all New South Welshmen and women to come out in force and show your support for our vital industry.

ARCIA has recently published a mobile installation standard. We need to thank our sister organisations - the FCSUK and RFUANZ, in the UK and New Zealand respectively - for their help with this document. I encourage all members and other organisations to start using this standard in tenders, quotes and projects. Of course this is a living document, so ARCIA welcomes input from members on areas such as HF or satellite installations, for example.

At the end of April I had the pleasure of attending the annual conference of the RFUANZ in Wellington and presented the ARCIA economic study on the value of land mobile radio. This ongoing dialogue is very important for our industry. Regardless of the device or technology used, critical communications needs to be understood and valued properly. The major storms and flooding in the Hunter Valley again demonstrated the reliance on communications networks. Massive power outages over multiple days meant systems failed and public safety, government and commercial industry members rallied to get systems up and running and then keep them going. If any members have photos or stories about these kinds of events, please send them to ARCIA so that we can continue to highlight the great work that people do.

Looking ahead, we have events coming up in Brisbane during the last week of July and in Adelaide during the last week of September - make a note in your diaries now and watch for more details coming up soon. The Productivity Commission has an enquiry on now into the requirements for public safety mobile broadband (PSMB), and ARCIA will be making a submission into this important communications area. We are also meeting with the ACMA on long-term licensing (LTL) for the government spectrum.

ARCIA is involved in the future of our industry in many ways, so talk to your local committee members and outline any particular thoughts you have on important issues.

Hamish Duff, President

Australian Radio Communications Industry Association