ACMA calls for submissions on 400 MHz

The ACMA is consulting on proposed licensing arrangements for harmonised government spectrum in the 400 MHz band. A consultation paper is available on the ACMA website, with submissions due on 23 October 2015.

The ACMA commenced a review of the 400 MHz band in 2008, which led to the identification of spectrum in the 400 MHz band as ‘harmonised government spectrum’.

Several segments have been identified for exclusive licensing to government entities, primarily to support national security, law enforcement and emergency services, but also to support broader government use.

The ACMA said it has developed arrangements for the licensing of this harmonised government spectrum in consultation with individual stakeholders, relevant committees and peak industry groups.

The final arrangements complement the objectives developed by these groups and the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed national framework for improved radiocommunications interoperability.

The ACMA is now proposing a licensing solution for harmonised government spectrum that aims to reduce the complexity of management of this part of the 400 MHz band under the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

It says the goal is to offer state and territory governments the option of coordinating the use of harmonised government spectrum and manage the use of radiocommunications devices in this spectrum within their borders, through a new licensing approach where most government use in the harmonised government spectrum would be authorised by one licence.

The ACMA has developed these arrangements in consultation with the National Coordinating Committee for Government Radiocommunications (NCCGR).

The ACMA also proposes to create a new kind of land mobile licence, known as a Harmonised Government Spectrum Area (HGSA) licence. An HGSA licence would authorise the use of land mobile and point-to-multipoint stations in every part of a state or territory.

A single HGSA licence would be issued to an entity for each state or territory, covering some or all of the harmonised government spectrum segments in the 400 MHz band.

Any government entity seeking to operate a device in spectrum covered by an HGSA licence would need to approach the licensee for the relevant state or territory, to be authorised to operate a device under the licence in accordance with section 114 of the Act.