Frequency plan for comment

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (AMCA) has released a draft of a new Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan (the Spectrum Plan) for public comment. When completed, the plan is intended to replace the current Spectrum Plan developed in January 2005.

The proposed changes in the draft plan provide new spectrum opportunities for international mobile telecommunication, space research activities, radioastronomy, mobile-satellite services and harmonisation between space and future terrestrial services.
The changes were agreed internationally at the International Telecommunication Union World Radiocommunication Conference held in October to November 2007.
The proposed changes to the plan will provide:

• Protection of space research activities while allowing the use of new high-data-rate meteorology satellite services;
• Upgrade of the radiolocation service to primary and allocating additional spectrum to the existing space research activities;
• Sharing between the mobile-satellite service and space research services and between the mobile-satellite service and mobile service;
• Improvements to the satellite coordination and notification procedures;
• Spectrum harmonisation between space services and future terrestrial services;
• Sharing arrangements between the fixed service and satellite systems using highly inclined orbits;
• Spectrum compatibility between the radioastronomy service and the active space services.

Comments on the draft plan should be received by ACMA by Friday 3 October 2008. The proposed changes are scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2009.