Review of spectrum policy and
management framework
The ACMA perspective
Giles Tanner
A simplified view of the legal framework governing ACMA’s spectrum management
ITU Radio Regulations
International Treaties
Radiocommunications Act 1992 (The Act); ACMA Act 2005; Radiocommunications (Transmitter
Licence Tax) Act;
Radiocommunications (Receiver Licence Tax) Act;
Spectrum Licence Tax) Act 1997;
Radcomms Taxes Collection Act;
Datacasting Charges legislation;
Other general Acts (LIA 2003; AIA 1901, etc.)
Acts of Parliament
Subordinate Instruments
under the Act
general Acts (LIA 2003; AIA 1901,
etc.)
Spectrum plan (ARSP)Other Designations/reallocation
Declarations
Directions
- THE ACMA - THE MINISTER Regulations
- THE GOVERNMENT Frequency band plans (if any) – THE ACMA
Class licences
Administrative
Arrangements
-
(Apparatus licences)
LC Determinations
Technical standards
(Spectrum licences)
Conversion / Marketing plans
Determinations s.145
Advisory Guidelines s.262
Radiocommunications Assignment and Licensing Instructions
Administrative band plan and channel plans
Written procedures for issuing licences
Administrative policy documents
Spectrum embargoes
Specification documents
Spectrum management principles
The Australian economy with and without mobile broadband (2006-2013)
Baseline GDP
GDP without mobile broadband
GDP (real, $bn)
1 500
$33.8
billion
1 450
1 400
1 350
1 300
Mobile sector productivity = $7.3 billion
Time savings for businesses = $26.5 billion
1 250
1 200
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Current impediments to spectrum regulation
> Multiplicity of licence types, with overlapping or incomplete
processes and rules
o Inconsistent approaches to tenure, certainty of renewal and pricing
o Interaction processes between the political system and the spectrum
regulator
o Managing coexistence of three licensing types
o Lack of flexibility to license some particular persons, apparatus or
equipment
o Practical issues with the proliferation of, and over-reliance on,
apparatus licence subtypes
Current impediments to spectrum regulation (continued)
> Limitations on the ability to facilitate (or mandate)
institutional spectrum manager rights
> Limited systemic incentives for incumbent users to give up
their spectrum to a potential higher value use
> Rigidities in the particular way broadcasting spectrum is
required to be managed
> Changed compliance and enforcement environment
Questions