ACMA - IFC 03/2011

Variations to the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence 2002

ACMA varies the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence 2002

After consideration of submissions received in its recent public consultation process (IFC 03/2011), the ACMA has, by way of a notice published in the Commonwealth Government Notices Gazette (the Gazette) on 19 May 2011, varied the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence 2002 (the CB Class Licence).

The variation of the CB Class Licence commenced on 27 May 2011.

The variation of the CB Class Licence was brought into effect by the making of the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence Variation 2011 (No. 1) (the CB Class Licence Variation) by the ACMA on 17 May 2011, the registration of the CB Class Licence Variation in the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments and by the CB Class Licence Variation being published in a notice in the Gazette.

The Variation provides for additional channels in the UHF citizen band. Some of these additional channels are allocated as repeater channels. The variation relaxes the duty cycle restriction for telemetry and telecommand transmissions and permits the transmission of identification and position information. The variation clarifies the conditions applicable to ‘simplex’ use of repeater channels within range of repeater stations. The linking of repeater stations and individual CB stations has been prohibited to minimise potential congestion and interference.

Seventeen submissions were received during the consultation phase. Submitters were generally supportive of, or were silent about, the proposed:

introduction of the additional channels;
relaxation of the telemetry and telecommand duty cycle restriction;
allowing the transmission of station identification and position information; and
prohibition of the linking of repeater stations.

Of the concerns that were raised, the most significant related to:

the potential for mutual interference between the operation of 25 kHz stations and the nearby operation of stations on the adjacent 12.5 kHz channels;
the potential for ‘simplex’ use of repeater channels to cause interference to stations using repeaters; and
the prohibition on the linking of CB stations.

Submissions were received from:

Background

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) seeks comment on a draft Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence Variation 2011 (No. 1) that will vary the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence 2002.

Following consultation between the ACMA, industry and the public in the context of the ACMA’s review of the 400 MHz band, the ACMA proposes to increase the number of radiofrequency channels in the UHF Citizen Band.

The ACMA proposes to vary the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence 2002 (the CB Class Licence) to facilitate operation on the new channels. Other proposed variations to the CB Class Licence include variations to:

facilitate the transmission of electronic identification and location information;
relax the duty cycle restriction for telemetry and telecommand transmissions;
improve the regulatory effectiveness of the CB Class Licence;
prohibit the indirect linking of repeater stations; and
prohibit the linking of CB stations.

More Information

The current licensing arrangements are set out in the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence 2002.

The proposed variations are set out in the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence Variation 2011 (No. 1).

The proposed variations are discussed in the paper Proposed variations to the Radiocommunications (Citizen Band Radio Stations) Class Licence 2002 (Word [161 kb] or PDF [124 kb] formats).

Submissions

Closing date for submissions was by close of business 4 March 2011.

The preferred method of submission is electronically to the following email address: spectrumoutlook@acma.gov.au

Alternatively, submissions can be mailed to:

Citizen Band Variations
Spectrum Outlook and Review Section
Australian Communications and Media Authority
PO Box 78
Belconnen ACT 2616

Publication of submissions

In general, the ACMA publishes all submissions it receives. The ACMA prefers to receive submissions which 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 confidentiality claims. The ACMA will consider each claim for confidentiality on a case by case basis. If the ACMA accepts a confidentiality claim, it will not publish the confidential information unless required to do so by law.

Release of information in submissions

Submissions provided to the ACMA may be required to be released under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. 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, a court subpoena). While the ACMA seeks to consult, and where required by law will consult, with submitters of confidential information before that information is provided to another body or agency, the ACMA cannot guarantee that confidential information will not be released through these or other legal means.