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Australian Government - Australian Communications and Media Authority

IFC 36/2011

Draft frequency band plans to facilitate television outside broadcast access to 1980-2110 MHz and 2170-2300 MHz

Next steps

Consultation regarding the development of the frequency band plan to facilitate television outside broadcasting access to 1980-2110 MHz and 2170-2300 MHz is now finalised. After considering received comments the ACMA has made two new frequency bands to support the introduction of television outside broadcast services into the bands 1980-2110 MHz and 2170-2300 MHz (see Television Outside Broadcast Service (1980–2110 MHz and 2170–2300 MHz) Frequency Band Plan 2012 and 1900–1920 MHz Frequency Band Plan 2012). A summary of submissions received the ACMA response to submissions and rationale for decisions made is available in a response to submissions paper.

As a next step the ACMA is now considering how to support different types of television outside broadcast services in the bands 1980-2110 MHz and 2170-2300 MHz and seeks advice from industry to assist in its considerations. Proposed arrangements are contained in the response to submissions paper. For more information on this issue see IFC 11/2012.

Submissions received

The ACMA received the following 12 submissions to the discussion paper. The ACMA is currently considering these submissions.

Please direct any enquiries about this discussion paper to Manager, Spectrum Engineering Section on (02) 6219 5442 or by email to ENGprojects@acma.gov.au.

Background

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is inviting interested parties to make representation on two proposed new frequency band plans to be made under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 that are intended to support the introduction of television outside broadcast services into the bands 1980-2110 MHz and 2170-2300 MHz.

The first band plan, the proposed new Television Outside Broadcast Service (1980–2110 MHz and 2170–2300 MHz) Frequency Band Plan will:

  • identify the frequency bands 1980-2110 MHz and 2170-2300 MHz as bands available for use by television outside broadcast services;
  • support the cessation of operation of existing fixed point-to-point links in bands and areas to be frequently used by television outside broadcast services by 1 November 2013;
  • support the cessation of Earth-station operations in the bands 2025-2110 MHz and 2200-2300 MHz in Perth (Landsdale/Gnangara) by 1 January 2016; and
  • revoke two existing frequency band plans to remove conflicting provisions that would otherwise limit the operation of television outside broadcast services in the bands 1980-2010 MHz, 2076-2111 MHz and 2170-2200 MHz.

The second band plan, the proposed new 1900-1920 MHz Frequency Band Plan, revokes the frequency band plan for the bands 1900-1920 MHz and 2010-2025 MHz to remove conflicting provisions that would limit the operation of television outside broadcast services in the band 2010-2025 MHz, whilst retaining requirements for the frequency band 1900-1920 MHz.

For any enquiries regarding the discussion paper or to express a view on the development of potential licensing arrangements, please email ENGprojects@acma.gov.au.

An information paper that outlines the context for the proposed new frequency band plans and includes drafts of the proposed new band plans is available in Word (710 kb) or PDF (726 kb) formats.

Note that this is a revised version (19/10/2011) that corrects a typographical error in a frequency range specified in section 8 of the draft TOB band plan. The frequency range previously read 1980–2110 MHz and has been corrected to read 1980–2010 MHz.

A spatial representation of the areas where fixed point-to-point links are to cease operating is available in KML format.

Submissions

Interested parties are invited to make comment on the proposed new frequency band plans and issues discussed in the information paper. Submissions should be made:

By email: ENGprojects@acma.gov.au

By mail:
Manager
Spectrum Engineering Section
Australian Communications and Media Authority
PO Box 78
Belconnen ACT 2616

The closing date for submissions was close of business on Monday 21 November 2011.

Publication of submissions

In general, the ACMA publishes all submissions it receives. The ACMA prefers to receive submissions that are not claimed to be confidential. However, the ACMA accepts that a submitter may sometimes wish to provide information in confidence. In these circumstances, submitters are asked to identify the material over which confidentiality is claimed and provide a written explanation for the claim.

The ACMA will consider each confidentiality claim on a case-by-case basis. If the ACMA accepts a claim, it will not publish the confidential information unless authorised or required by law to do so.

Release of submissions where authorised or required by law

Any submissions provided to the ACMA may be released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (unless an exemption applies) or shared with other Commonwealth Government agencies under Part 7A of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005. The ACMA may also be required to release submissions for other reasons including for the purpose of parliamentary processes or where otherwise required by law (for example, under a court subpoena). While the ACMA seeks to consult submitters of confidential information before that information is provided to another party, the ACMA cannot guarantee that confidential information will not be released through these or other legal means.

 

Last update: 20 August 2012 18:24