Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence Variation Notice 2013 (No. 1)1
Radiocommunications Act 1992
The AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA AUTHORITY makes this Notice under section 134 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
Dated 19th April 2013
Chris Chapman
[signed]
Member
Richard Bean
[signed]
Member/General Manager
Australian Communications and Media Authority
1 Name of Notice
This Notice is the Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence Variation Notice 2013 (No. 1).
2 Commencement
This Notice commences on the later of:
(a) the day after it is registered; or
(b) the day on which it is published in the Gazette.
Note Both (a) and (b) must occur for this Notice to commence.
3 Amendment of Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2000
Schedule 1 varies the Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2000.
Schedule 1 Variations
(section 3)
[1] Schedule 1, item 22A
substitute
22A | Wireless audio transmitters | 1. 520 – 820 (until 31 December 2014) 2. 520– 694 (from 1 January 2015) | 100 mW (~60.95 mW ERP) | 1. Wireless audio transmitters must not be operated in the frequency range 694-820 MHz after 31 December 2014. 2. Emission must be frequency modulated and have a maximum bandwidth of 330 kHz. 3. Transmission in a broadcasting services band channel must not originate in the coverage area of a broadcasting station or a datacasting service station (including a repeater or translator station) operating in the same channel. 4. The origin of a transmission in a broadcasting services bands channel must be such that the resulting field strength at the nearest boundary of the coverage area of a broadcasting station or a datacasting service station using the channel does not exceed 30 dBuV/m. 5. When transmitting in an unused broadcasting services bands channel, and in the coverage area of a broadcasting station or a datacasting station (including a repeater or translator station) operating in an adjacent channel, the channel centre frequency of the wireless audio transmitter must be at least 400 kHz above the upper edge of the adjacent channel, or 400 kHz below the lower edge of the adjacent channel. |
[2] Schedule 1, after item 22A
insert
22B | Digitally modulated wireless audio transmitters | 520-694 MHz | 100 mW (~60.95 mW ERP) | 1. Emission must have a maximum bandwidth of 330 kHz. 2. Transmission in a broadcasting services bands channel must not originate in the coverage area of a broadcasting station or a datacasting service station (including a repeater or translator station) operating in the same channel. 3. The origin of a transmission in a broadcasting services bands channel must be such that the resulting field strength at the nearest boundary of the coverage area of a broadcasting station or a datacasting service station using the channel does not exceed 30 dBuV/m. 4. When transmitting in an unused broadcasting services bands channel, and in the coverage area of a broadcasting station or a datacasting service station (including a repeater or translator station) operating in an adjacent channel, the channel centre frequency of the wireless audio transmitter must be at least 400 kHz above the upper edge of the adjacent channel, or 400 kHz below the lower edge of the adjacent channel. |
[3] Schedule 1, after item 22B
insert
22C | Wireless audio transmitters | 1790 – 1800 MHz | 100 mW (~60.95 mW ERP) | 1. A transmitter mentioned in this item must comply with either ETSI Standard EN 301 840 or ETSI Standard EN 300 422. |
1. All legislative instruments and compilations are registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments kept under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003. See http://www.frli.gov.au.
Overview
The Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence Variation Notice 2013 (No. 1) was enacted by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) under section 134 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992. This Notice was introduced to address the need for regulating the use of low interference potential devices, particularly wireless audio transmitters, to ensure minimal interference with existing broadcasting services. The Notice came into effect on the later of the day after its registration or the day after its publication in the Gazette. The policy objective behind this regulation is to maintain the integrity of the radiocommunications spectrum by preventing interference from these devices with licensed broadcasting services.
The Notice amends the Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2000 by introducing specific restrictions on the operation of wireless audio transmitters. For instance, it prohibits the operation of these transmitters in the frequency range of 694-820 MHz after 31 December 2014, mandates that emissions must be frequency modulated with a maximum bandwidth of 330 kHz, and restricts transmission originating in the coverage area of broadcasting or datacasting stations. Additionally, it sets requirements for field strength and channel separation to prevent interference with adjacent channels. These measures aim to balance the use of the radio spectrum with the protection of existing services.
Scope and Application
The Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence Variation Notice 2013 (No. 1) amends the Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2000, applying to specific wireless audio transmitters operating within Australia. This Notice, made under section 134 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992, comes into effect on the later of the day after it is registered or the day after it is published in the Gazette. The variations outlined in Schedule 1 target low interference potential devices, specifically wireless audio transmitters, by modifying their operational parameters to mitigate potential interference with other radiocommunications services. The Notice imposes conditions on the frequency ranges, emission types, bandwidth, and field strength limits for these devices, ensuring they do not disrupt existing broadcasting services. It also introduces new categories for digitally modulated wireless audio transmitters and provides specific technical standards for certain frequency bands. This regulatory action is intended to balance the use of radiocommunications devices with the need to protect established services.
Key Provisions
The Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence Variation Notice 2013 (No. 1) amends the Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2000. Specifically, it introduces new provisions and modifies existing ones regarding wireless audio transmitters. Section 2 of the Notice mandates that wireless audio transmitters cannot operate in the frequency range of 694-820 MHz after 31 December 2014. For the frequency range of 520-694 MHz, wireless audio transmitters must comply with certain technical standards, including frequency modulation, a maximum bandwidth of 330 kHz, and specific field strength limitations when operating in broadcasting services bands. Furthermore, the Notice introduces new provisions for digitally modulated wireless audio transmitters and wireless audio transmitters operating in the 1790-1800 MHz range, requiring compliance with specific ETSI standards.
The Notice imposes several obligations on parties or entities governed by it. Firstly, wireless audio transmitters must adhere to the specified frequency ranges and technical standards to avoid interference with existing broadcasting services. Transmitters must not operate within prohibited frequency ranges, must comply with emission standards, and must ensure that their transmissions do not exceed specified field strength limits. Additionally, the new provisions for digitally modulated wireless audio transmitters and those operating in the 1790-1800 MHz range require compliance with specific ETSI standards, ensuring interoperability and minimising interference. These obligations are essential to maintain the integrity of the radiocommunications spectrum and to ensure that new technologies do not adversely affect existing services.
Breaches of the provisions set out in the Notice may result in civil or criminal penalties. The Radiocommunications Act 1992 provides for various offences related to unauthorised radiocommunications, including fines and imprisonment. For example, operating a wireless audio transmitter in a prohibited frequency range or failing to comply with the specified technical standards could result in significant penalties. The maximum penalties for breaches of the Radiocommunications Act can include fines of up to $10,000 for individuals and $50,000 for corporations, along with potential imprisonment terms. The severity of these penalties underscores the importance of adhering to the requirements outlined in the Notice to avoid legal repercussions.