11 August 2011
ACMA considers future options for the siting of satellite Earth stations
The Australian Communications and Media Authority has today released a discussion paper signalling its intention to develop a long-term strategy for the sustainable siting of satellite Earth stations.
Earth station siting provides guidance on both the establishment of new Earth stations and other space communications facilities as well as the expansion of existing facilities.
The ACMA paper considers the potential options for the siting of Earth stations into the future by taking a band by band approach to the identification of the challenges of using each space frequency band up to 20 GHz. The band by band assessment primarily focuses on Earth receive bands including radio astronomy bands.
The paper also considers each current major Earth station site in Australia, discussing the implications of spectrum demand on the continued viability of that particular site.
Earth station siting also considers the implications of future spectrum needs of other services, particularly wireless broadband.
The ACMA is keen to hear from industry on issues that may be relevant to long-term planning for siting of Earth stations and other space communications facilities.
The responses to the Earth station siting discussion paper will be used to formulate a long-term strategy for sustainable Earth station siting.
The closing date for submissions to the Earth station siting discussion paper is close of business 7 October 2011.
For more information or to arrange an interview please contact: Emma Rossi, Media Manager, on (02) 9334 7719, 0434 652 063 or media@acma.gov.au.
# # #
The ACMA is Australia’s regulator for broadcasting, the internet, radiocommunications and telecommunications. The ACMA’s strategic intent is to make communications and media work in Australia’s public interest. For more information: www.acma.gov.au.
Follow the ACMA online
ACMA - See www.acma.gov.au for updates and other social media activities
Twitter - Find us at acmadotgov
Facebook - Join in the discussion at acmadotgov
engage - Join the ACMA at www.engage.acma.gov.au|BETA
