News for Australia

• 2019-10-17Future use of the 28 GHz band and Review of RALI FX3 38 GHz

  On 25th of September, ACMA - Australian Communication and Media Authority - has published the outcome of the future use of the 28 GHz band and review of the RALI FX 3 in the 38 GHz band consultation processes.

  Future use of 28Ghz band:

  “ACMA has concluded its review of the 28 GHz band with the release of its Future use of the 28 GHz band: Planning decisions and preliminary views outcome paper.

  This paper details planning decisions ACMA has made for the 28 GHz band.

  In addition, it contains preliminary views formed on the associated licensing and technical conditions that will subsequently be developed.

  The release of this paper signals the progression of the 25 GHz band to the “re-planning” phase of the ACMA’s planning process. We will shortly commence work towards implementing the new arrangement in the 28 GHz band.

  Review of RALI FX3 in the 38 GHz band:

  ACMA has concluded its review of channel arrangements for fixed point-to-point links in the 38 GHz band.

  Details of planning decisions made are in the Review of point-to-point arrangements in the 38 GHz band decisions paper.

  The outcome of this consultations have been included in an update to RALI FX3.

  
  

• 2019-09-12Supporting 5G

  The ACMA has updated class licensing arrangements to support new technology applications and bring Australia into line with international arrangements supporting standardised and efficient equipment supply arrangements.

  The updates will support new innovative technologies, wireless data communications systems (including those supporting 5G),radar systems used in road and rail safety applications and internationally harmonised use of short-range devices.

  In detail the updates consist of:

  - expansion of frequency range for 60 GHz (57–66 GHz) data communication systems to cover 57– 71 GHz for both indoor and outdoor usage supporting wireless gigabit systems (for example, utilising IEEE 802.11ad) with applications such as backhaul for 5G and Wi-Fi

  - new arrangements for ‘all transmitters’ in the 57–64 GHz band supporting an interactive motion sensing technology

  - revising arrangements for underground transmitters in certain bands supporting fixed and mobile services from 70–520 MHz to provide improved support for underground activities such as mining

  - revision of arrangements for radars in the 76–77 GHz frequency band to provide support for radar use in rail crossing and road safety applications

  - new arrangements for ground and wall penetration radar (30–12,400 MHz) facilitating usage of applications across a variety of industry sectors such as agriculture (crop harvesting),railways (track surveying) and underground cable and pipe detection in the telecommunication industry

  - aligning existing arrangements for ultra-wideband devices with US and European arrangements for generic (indoor and hand-held) devices (3,100–3,400 MHz and 8,500–9,000 MHz) and aircraft applications (6,000–8,500 MHz) supporting use of such devices in Australia.

  The updates are contained in Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence Variation 2019 (No. 1).

  A draft of the variation and consultation paper were released for feedback in December 2018, with eighteen submissions received.

  A summary of the issues raised, the ACMA’s response to them and the changes made to the draft class licence are outlined in the follow-up paper: Class licensing update: Supporting 5G and other technology innovations⁠—Response to submissions.

  The ACMA invites suggestions from industry and individuals on devices and technologies for possible future updates to class licensing arrangements of the Low Interference Potential Devices Class Licence.

  For more information, see IFC 45/2018.

  Source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2019L01075

  
  

• 2019-08-20ACMA is seeking comments on amendments

  The ACMA is seeking comment on proposed amendments to the electromagnetic energy (EME) arrangements to ensure requirements are applicable for 5G equipment.

  We are proposing to amend the Radiocommunications (Electromagnetic Radiation – Human Exposure) Standard 2014 to ensure equipment that will be operating on frequencies up to 6 GHz is tested in accordance with the latest international measurement standards and is compliant with labelling requirements for Australia's EME standards.

  The ACMA Standard usually automatically adopts such variations to the international standards, but minor changes to the titles of the international standards on this occasion mean that to avoid any doubt as to the application of those standards we propose to amend the ACMA Standard.

  The ACMA is also proposing to amend the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Apparatus Licence) Determination 2015 to ensure the EME arrangements for equipment and the EME licence conditions on transmitters operate as intended.

  The proposed amendments will ensure that the latest international test methodologies are adopted, and to avoid any doubt about the equipment arrangements, including device labelling requirements, and licence conditions.

  Full details can be found on the ACMA website. The consultation is open for submissions until COB, Friday 13 September 2019.

  Source: https://www.acma.gov.au/theACMA/amendments-to-eme-arrangements?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Proposed%20amendments%20to%20EME%20arrangements&utm_content=Proposed%20amendments%20to%20EME%20arrangements+CID_35cab32c3f51ae291e3c5520bce8551f&utm_source=SendEmailCampaigns&utm_term=seeking%20comment

  
  

• 2019-03-12ACMA adopts Safety standards

  Telecommunications (Customer Equipment Safety) Technical Standard

  The ACMA standard Telecommunications (Customer Equipment Safety) Technical Standard 2018 (the Customer Equipment Safety Standard) adopts the following Australian/New Zealand Standards:

  • AS/NZS 60950.1:2015 – Information technology equipment – Safety, Part 1: General requirements (the 2015 industry standard); and

  • AS/NZS 62368.1:2018 – Audio/video, information and communication technology equipment – Part 1: Safety requirements (the 2018 industry standard).

  The 2018 industry standard is intended to replace the 2015 industry standard four years after 15 February 2018. During that period, a relevant item of customer equipment may, under the 2018 industry standard, comply with either the 2015 industry standard or the 2018 industry standard. 

  The ACMA has made the Customer Equipment Safety Standard to repeal and replace the 2011 ACMA Standard to reflect the latest technical requirements for particular customer equipment.

  For detailed information pleas visit ACMA’s website.

  Source: https://acma-search.clients.funnelback.com/s/search.html?collection=acma&query=62368

   

  
  

• 2019-01-22Proposal to update LIPD Class Licence

  The ACMA is currently consulting on proposed updates to the Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2015.

  The LIPD Class Licence operates in concert with the ACMA’s  Radiocommunications (Short Range Devices) Standard 2014. 

  Under section 8A of the Short Range Devices Standard, if the proposed updates to the LIPD Class Licence are made, the standard for performance for items being updated in the LIPD Class Licence will be those standards listed in the updated LIPD Class Licence for that item. A transition period of one year from when the LIPD Class Licence is made applies before it is mandatory for a supplier to comply with the standards requirement.

  In detail, the proposed updates to the LIPD Class Licence consider:

  • updating and expending existing 60 GHz arrangements (57–66 GHz) for data communication systems, including 5G. Specifically:
    • adding the 66–71 GHz frequency band
    • updating existing arrangements in the 57–66 GHz band regarding indoor and outdoor data communications systems.
  • adding new arrangements for ‘all transmitters’ in the 57–64 GHz band
  • revising arrangements for underground transmitters in certain bands supporting fixed and mobile services from 70–520 MHz
  • adding support for higher power radiodetermination transmitters, i.e. radars operating in the 76–77 GHz frequency band
  • adding support for ground and wall penetration radar as adjunct to current apparatus licence arrangements (30–12,400 MHz)
  • aligning existing arrangements for ultra-wideband devices with US and European arrangements for generic (indoor and hand-held) devices (3,100–3,400 MHz and 8,500–9,000 MHz) and aircraft applications (6,000–8,500 MHz).

  In addition to the proposed variation, the ACMA invites suggestions from industry and individuals on devices and technologies for possible future updates to be included on the list of transmitters authorised under the LIPD Class.

   

  Source acma.gov.au

  
  

• 2018-12-27New amendment on technical standards and labelling

  On 6 December 2018, the ACMA remade the following telecommunications technical standards under section 376 of the Telecommunications Act 1997:

  • the Telecommunications (Mobile Equipment Air Interface) Technical Standard 2018
  • the Telecommunications (Customer Equipment Safety) Technical Standard 2018.

  The ACMA also made the Telecommunications (Labelling Notice for Customer Equipment and Customer cabling) Amendment Instrument 2018 (No.1) under subsection 407(1) of the Telecommunications Act to make consequential and other amendments to the Telecommunications Labelling Notice. The compilation—which includes the above amendment—of the Telecommunications Labelling Notice is available on the Federal Register of Legislation. 

  The submissions received during the consultation periods are available on the ACMA website.

  Following consultation, the ACMA has remade the standard that mandates a two-part industry standard for radiocommunications devices operating in the very high frequency (VHF) maritime mobile bands. The Radiocommunications (VHF Radiotelephone equipment - Maritime Mobile Service) Standard 2018 adopts three new industry standards and their European Telecommunications Standards Institute equivalents.

  The ACMA received one submission to this consultation, which can be accessed on our website.

  
  

• 2018-07-10Australia Consults the Public About Telco Standards and Labelling

  Australia's ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) is conducting a public consultation on its standards of telecommunication devices and labelling thereof.

  Background information and draft versions of the proposed

  • Customer Equipment Safety Standard
  • Mobile Equipment Standard
  • Labelling Notice

  can be found at Remaking telco standards and changes to the labelling notice. The consultation is ending on 2018-09-02.

  
  

• 2014-09-10Update on Compliance Labeling Notice

  In September 2014, the AMCA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) published the Radiocommunication Devices (Compliance Labelling) Notice 2014, superseding the Notice 2003. The 2014 Notice does not make any significant changes but was mainly created to replace the 2003 Notice, due to expire on 2015-04-01 (sunset date) in accordance with Part 6 of the Legislative Instrument Act 2003.

  
  

• 2014-01-12ACMA issues 2.3 GHz guidelines

  ACMA (Australian Communication and Media Authority) published the “Interference to Spectrum Licensed Receivers – 2.3 GHz Band” Radiocommunication Advisory Guidelines on 2013-12-12, superseding the “Managing Interference to receivers – 2.3 GHz Band” Radiocommunication Advisory Guidelines and coming into effect on 2015-07-25.

  The purpose of these guidelines is to:

  • manage in-band and out-of-band interference by providing compatibility requirements for registered fixed receivers operating under spectrum licences issued for the 2.3 GHz band;
  • provide protection to radiocommunications receivers operating under spectrum licences issued for the 2.3 GHz band from interference caused by radiocommunications transmitters operating under a class licence, and from fixed transmitters operating under either:

  1. an apparatus licence issued on or after the date on which these guidelines commence
  2. a spectrum licence where the transmitter is registered under Part 3.5 of the Act on or after the date on which these guidelines commence.

  
  

• 2012-11-27New ACMA spectrum plan possibly drastically reduces smartphone costs world wide.

  The ACMA (Australian Communication and Media Authority) published a new spectrum plan for the 700 MHz frequency band on 2012-11-19. The Plan has the potential to drastically reduce the costs of smartphones around the World. The “Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) 700 MHz spectrum band plan“ is committed or seriously considered to be adopted by several countries such as Australia, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, India, Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and the United Arab Emirates.