Spectrum review would be welcome: ARCIA

Much has happened for ARCIA over the last few months. On 18 April, the WA radio community came together at the historic Pagoda Ballroom of the Esplanade River Suites in Perth for the ARCIA Networking Dinner. Expanding on the theme of ‘Who is training for the future’, the evening’s speakers presented on the past, present and future of training for the industry and the challenges ahead.

Rob Howes, the ARCIA WA committee representative, spoke of training in the past and highlighted governments’ open approach to industry training. John Florenca, CEO of Omnitronics, explained how “training, recruitment and leadership” were key to business success today and it isn’t always the obvious employee who will deliver that success. And Ralph Dix, a lecturer at Midland Polytechnic in the UK, spoke of the key challenges ahead for educators and the industry. He described how radio communication is losing its identity as it is absorbed into the IT sector, and also cited the lack of industry participation in curriculum development.

At the recent COAG meeting in Canberra, concern was raised regarding the amount of spectrum that has been allocated for the Public Safety and Mobile Broadband service. In a recent response to the discussion paper on the 803-960 MHz spectrum, ARCIA raised its concerns, and we are pleased to note that some form of review might take place. Following a recent meeting on the Overflow Capabilities subgroup of the proposed PSMB, ARCIA has been asked to consider co-chairing one of the working groups as the evaluations move ahead.

ARCIA has been recognised by ACMA and other organisations as the ‘peak industry body’ for the land mobile radio industry, which is indicative of its interest in the 803-960 MHz band. The services within this band are crucial to the effective use of LMR services and will have a direct influence on major Australian resource projects and their economic viability. In particular, trunked radio services are a critical element of resource developments; as one of the most suitable communications technologies is TETRA trunked radio, the need for 800 MHz trunking spectrum is clear.

ARCIA is pleased to note that ACMA field operations staff have recently located equipment that has been operating on UHF CB frequencies without being approved for such use under the Class Licence system. Users and suppliers should be aware that very few commercial radio models have actually been approved for use on the UHF CB band. There are specific requirements under the standard, including that radio equipment must be submitted for type approval under the UHF CB Class Licence in order to operate on those frequencies.

The next ARCIA regional dinner is planned for Brisbane in July, so visit the website, keep your eye out for the monthly newsletter or contact the committee for more updates surrounding the announcement of this event.

My thanks to Ian Miller, convener of the Spectrum and Technical Sub-committee, for his input into this issue’s column.

Christian Kelly
President
Australian Radio Communications Industry Association