Remaking the Broadcasting Services (Technical Planning) Guidelines 2017

The Broadcasting Services (Technical Planning) Guidelines 2017 (TPGs) are due to sunset on 1 October 2027. The TPGs assist broadcasters with the efficient implementation and operation of their services. They provide clarity of standards and procedures. The TPGs are one part of a broader technical regulatory framework.

We seek to remake the TPGs with improvements that:

• reduce the number of licence area plan variations needed for small variations in operating specifications
• reduce the need for regulatory forbearance
• increase the alignment between the TPGs and the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Broadcasting Licence) Determination 2025
• increase clarity of the TPGs.

Our view is that remaking the TPGs may require changes to other elements of the technical regulatory framework. The aim of our review of the framework is to:

• propose changes that support maintaining access to radio services for audiences
• support the industry as it transitions in response to technology evolution and changing audience preferences
• increase flexibility in assessing proposals from licensees, to reduce administrative burden
• increase alignment of some requirements across broadcasting service types.

In our preliminary proposal, we intend to consult on:

• the broad issues that we have identified 
• the improvements that remaking the TPGs could address. 

After obtaining feedback on these issues, we will develop:

• a proposal for remaking the TPGs
• necessary changes to other elements of the technical regulatory framework. 

The proposal will be released for consultation. After submissions on the proposal are reviewed, a remake of the TPGs will be finalised before the sunsetting date in October 2027.

You can access details of our preliminary proposal in the consultation paper in the key documents box above.