Mobile-Satellite Service (2 GHz) Frequency Band Plan 2002

Administered by Department of Communications and the Arts

Legislation au F2005B00120 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

Mobile-Satellite Service (2 GHz) Frequency Band Plan 2002

The AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY makes this Frequency Band Plan under section 32 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

Dated 23 April 2002

A J SHAW
Chair

R HORTON
Deputy Chair

 

Australian Communications Authority

Contents

 1 Name of Frequency Band Plan 

 2 Commencement 

 3 Definitions 

 4 Purpose of this Frequency Band Plan 

 5 Purposes for which the 1980–2010 MHz frequency band may be used — fixed services             

 6 Purposes for which the 1980–2010 MHz frequency band may be used — mobile-satellite services (Earth to space)             

 7 Purposes for which the 2170–2200 MHz frequency band may be used — fixed services             

 8 Purposes for which the 2170–2200 MHz frequency band may be used — mobile-satellite services (space to Earth)             

 

 

 

Introductory note

The objective of this Frequency Band Plan is to implement a staged clearance of most fixed services from the 1980–2010 frequency band and the 2170–2200 frequency band, to allow the entry of mobile-satellite services.

1 Name of Frequency Band Plan

  This Frequency Band Plan is the Mobile-Satellite Service (2 GHz) Frequency Band Plan 2002.

2 Commencement

  This Frequency Band Plan commences on gazettal.

3 Definitions

 (1) In this Frequency Band Plan:

Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

fixed service has the same meaning as in the spectrum plan.

mobile-satellite service has the same meaning as in the spectrum plan.

spectrum plan means the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan made by the Australian Communications Authority under section 30 of the Act, as in force from time to time.

Note   For the meaning of other expressions used in this Frequency Band Plan, see the Act, the Radiocommunications Regulations 1993 and the Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2000.

 (2) In this Frequency Band Plan, the range of numbers that identifies a frequency band is taken to include the higher, but not the lower, number.

Example

The 1980–2010 MHz frequency band is made up of radio frequencies that exceed 1980 MHz but do not exceed 2010 MHz.

4 Purpose of this Frequency Band Plan

  This Frequency Band Plan provides for the purposes for which the following frequency bands may be used:

 (a) 1980–2010 MHz;

 (b) 2170–2200 MHz.

5 Purposes for which the 1980–2010 MHz frequency band may be used — fixed services

 (1) A person must not operate a fixed service in the 1980–2010 MHz frequency band during the period beginning at the commencement of this Frequency Band Plan and ending on 31 December 2002 unless, at the commencement of this Frequency Band Plan, the person held a licence authorising the person to operate the fixed service in the frequency band.

 (2) A person must not operate a fixed service in the 1980–2010 MHz frequency band during the period beginning on 1 January 2003 and ending on 31 July 2004 unless, at the commencement of this Frequency Band Plan, the person held a licence authorising the person to operate the fixed service in the frequency band, and:

 (a) the service is operated:

 (i) with a centre frequency of 1980 MHz; and

 (ii) with a bandwidth of 29 MHz or less; and

 (iii) so that 99.5% of the transmitted power of the service is emitted below the frequency 1994.5 MHz; or

 (b) the service is operated:

 (i) with a centre frequency of 2023.5 MHz; and

 (ii) with a bandwidth of 29 MHz or less; and

 (iii) so that 99.5% of the transmitted power of the service is emitted above the frequency 2009 MHz; or

 (c) the service is operated:

 (i) with a centre frequency of 2009 MHz or higher; and

 (ii) with a bandwidth of 18 MHz or less; and

 (iii) so that 99.5% of the transmitted power of the service is emitted above the frequency 2000 MHz.

 (3) A person must not operate a fixed service in the 1980–2010 MHz frequency band after 31 July 2004, unless, at the commencement of this Frequency Band Plan, the person held a licence authorising the person to operate the fixed service in the frequency band, and:

 (a) the service is operated:

 (i) with a centre frequency of 1980 MHz; and

 (ii) with a bandwidth of 29 MHz or less; and

 (iii) so that 99.5% of the transmitted power of the service is emitted below the frequency 1994.5 MHz; or

 (b) the service is operated:

 (i) with a centre frequency of 2023.5 MHz; and

 (ii) with a bandwidth of 29 MHz or less; and

 (iii) so that 99.5% of the transmitted power of the service is emitted above the frequency 2009 MHz.

6 Purposes for which the 1980–2010 MHz frequency band may be used — mobile-satellite services (Earth to space)

 (1) The 1980–2010 MHz frequency band may be used for mobile-satellite services (Earth to space).

 (2) The 1994.5–2000 MHz frequency band may only be used for mobile-satellite services (Earth to space) from 1 January 2003.

 (3) The 1994.5–2009 MHz frequency band may only be used for mobile-satellite services (Earth to space) from 1 August 2004.

7 Purposes for which the 2170–2200 MHz frequency band may be used — fixed services

 (1) A person must not operate a fixed service in the 2170–2200 MHz frequency band during the period beginning at the commencement of this Frequency Band Plan and ending on 31 December 2002 unless, at the commencement of this Frequency Band Plan, the person held a licence authorising the person to operate the fixed service in the frequency band.

 (2) A person must not operate a fixed service in the 2170–2200 MHz frequency band during the period beginning on 1 January 2003 and ending on 31 July 2004 unless, at the commencement of this Frequency Band Plan, the person held a licence authorising the person to operate the fixed service in the frequency band, and:

 (a) the service is operated:

 (i) with a centre frequency of 2164 MHz; and

 (ii) with a bandwidth of 29 MHz or less; and

 (iii) so that 99.5% of the transmitted power of the service is emitted below the frequency 2178.5 MHz; or

 (b) the service is operated:

 (i) with a centre frequency of 2207.5 MHz; and

 (ii) with a bandwidth of 29 MHz or less; and

 (iii) so that 99.5% of the transmitted power of the service is emitted above the frequency 2193 MHz; or

 (c) the service is operated:

 (i) with a centre frequency of 2193 MHz or higher; and

 (ii) with a bandwidth of 18 MHz or less; and

 (iii) so that 99.5% of the transmitted power of the service is emitted above the frequency 2184 MHz.

 (3) A person must not operate a fixed service in the 2170–2200 MHz frequency band after 31 July 2004, unless, at the commencement of this Frequency Band Plan, the person held a licence authorising the person to operate the fixed service in the frequency band, and:

 (a) the service is operated:

 (i) with a centre frequency of 2164 MHz; and

 (ii) with a bandwidth of 29 MHz or less; and

 (iii) so that 99.5% of the transmitted power of the service is emitted below the frequency 2178.5 MHz; or

 (b) the service is operated:

 (i) with a centre frequency of 2207.5 MHz; and

 (ii) with a bandwidth of 29 MHz or less; and

 (iii) so that 99.5% of the transmitted power of the service is emitted above the frequency 2193 MHz.

8 Purposes for which the 2170–2200 MHz frequency band may be used — mobile-satellite services (space to Earth)

 (1) The 2170–2200 MHz frequency band may be used for mobile-satellite services (space to Earth).

 (2) The 2178.5–2184 MHz frequency band may only be used for mobile-satellite services (space to Earth) from 1 January 2003.

 (3) The 2178.5–2193 MHz frequency band may only be used for mobile-satellite services (space to Earth) from 1 August 2004.

 

Overview

The Mobile-Satellite Service (2 GHz) Frequency Band Plan 2002, enacted under section 32 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992, was introduced to facilitate a transition in the use of the 1980–2010 MHz and 2170–2200 MHz frequency bands, enabling the entry of mobile-satellite services. This legislative instrument was made by the Australian Communications Authority, with the primary policy objective being the staged clearance of most fixed services from these frequency bands to accommodate mobile-satellite services. The Frequency Band Plan aims to provide a structured timeline for the reallocation of these bands, ensuring that the transition is managed effectively and avoids conflicts in radio frequency usage. The commencement of this plan is effective from the date of its gazettal, marking the beginning of its regulatory impact on frequency allocations in Australia.

Scope and Application

The Mobile-Satellite Service (2 GHz) Frequency Band Plan 2002 applies to the regulation of the radiocommunications spectrum within Australia, specifically addressing the allocation and use of certain frequency bands for mobile-satellite services and fixed services. This legislative instrument is made under the authority of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 and operates nationally across Australia. The plan delineates the specific purposes for which the 1980–2010 MHz and 2170–2200 MHz frequency bands can be used, setting out detailed conditions for fixed services and the introduction of mobile-satellite services over time. The plan includes specific commencement dates and conditions for the operation of fixed services, with a staged clearance of these services from the mentioned frequency bands to facilitate the entry of mobile-satellite services. Exemptions and specific operational parameters are outlined for both the 1980–2010 MHz and 2170–2200 MHz bands, ensuring a structured transition period that allows for the coexistence of fixed services and the progressive deployment of mobile-satellite services.

Key Provisions

The Mobile-Satellite Service (2 GHz) Frequency Band Plan 2002 establishes guidelines for the use of specific frequency bands for mobile-satellite services and mandates a staged clearance of fixed services to facilitate the entry of mobile-satellite services. This plan is divided into several sections that outline the purpose, definitions, and operational requirements for the 1980–2010 MHz and 2170–2200 MHz frequency bands. The plan commences upon gazettal (section 2). Fixed services are prohibited in these frequency bands during specific periods unless a licence is held (sections 5 and 7). For the 1980–2010 MHz band, fixed services are only allowed under certain conditions, such as specific centre frequencies, bandwidths, and power emission limits (section 5(2) and (3)). The 1980–2010 MHz band is exclusively reserved for mobile-satellite services (Earth to space) after certain dates, with specific sub-bands becoming available from 1 January 2003 and 1 August 2004 (section 6). Similarly, the 2170–2200 MHz band is reserved for mobile-satellite services (space to Earth) with certain sub-bands becoming available from 1 January 2003 and 1 August 2004 (section 8). The Act imposes several obligations on parties operating within these frequency bands. For fixed services, operators must adhere to specific conditions such as frequency, bandwidth, and power emission requirements if they wish to continue operating after certain dates (sections 5 and 7). Mobile-satellite services are permitted in the specified frequency bands, with certain sub-bands becoming available at later dates (sections 6 and 8). Additionally, any person operating a fixed service within the specified frequency bands must hold a valid licence at the commencement of this Frequency Band Plan to continue operations (sections 5(1) and 7(1)). Breaches of the provisions outlined in this Frequency Band Plan can result in legal consequences. Specifically, operating a fixed service in the designated frequency bands without the requisite licence or failing to comply with the specified conditions may constitute an offence. However, the Act itself does not explicitly detail the penalties for such breaches. The Radiocommunications Regulations 1993 and related legislation would need to be consulted to determine the exact penalties, which may include fines and other civil or criminal sanctions. It is important for entities and individuals operating within these frequency bands to fully comply with the stipulated requirements to avoid any legal repercussions.

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