ACMA publishes spectrum management discussion papers

The ACMA has published an information paper and three consultations in relation to reforms that it says will modernise the legislative framework for spectrum management.

The proposed changes to licensing and allocation arrangements have been driven by the Radiocommunications Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Act 2020, which received Royal Assent on 17 December 2020. This will enable the ACMA to update the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

In the information paper, the ACMA describe its approach to selecting spectrum, apparatus and class licensing for different use scenarios.

The paper also discusses how the amendments can provide increased flexibility in selecting apparatus or spectrum licensing for some use cases. The provisions of the acts will come into force on 17 June 2021, giving users of spectrum time to adjust to the new regulatory framework.

The ACMA is also seeking feedback on the following three consultations:

• Equipment rules. Draft Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021 are designed to ensure that all of the existing requirements remain enforceable.
• Changes to class licences. The ACMA is proposing to amend the relevant class licences to include references to equipment rules, and is also taking the opportunity to consult on its proposal to harmonise how our electromagnetic (EME) regulatory framework applies EME emission limits to class-licensed radiocommunications transmitters.
• Accredited persons scheme. The accredited persons scheme was developed to make spectrum management more efficient by allowing accredited persons to perform specific activities such as technical assessment, coordination and assignment. Because of recent changes with the above acts, there is a need to make legislative instruments to preserve the scheme.
   

Image courtesy ACMA