Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 3.4 GHz Band) Amendment Determination 2003 (No. 1)

Administered by Department of Communications and the Arts

Legislation au F2005B00266 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 3.4 GHz Band) Amendment Determination 2003 (No. 1)

The AUSTRALIAN COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY makes this Determination under subsection 145 (4) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

 

 

Dated     25 June 2003

 

A.J SHAW                                                                                                                   Chair

 

 

R KELLEHER                                                                                                            Senior Executive Manager
 Telecommunications

 

 

Australian Communications Authority

 

 

 

  1. Name of Determination

 

              This Determination is the Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference 3.4 GHz Band) Amendment Determination 2003 (No. 1).

 

2.              Commencement

 

              This Determination commences on 25 June 2003.

 

3.              Amendment of Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference 3.4 GHz Band) Determination 2000

 

              Schedule 1 amends the Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 3.4 GHz Band) Determination 2000.

 


Schedule 1  Amendments

 

 

Schedule 1 Amendments

   (section 3)

 

 

[1] Schedule 2, Part 1, clause 2

 

substitute

 

2.(1)  For a group of transmitters:

(a) the device boundary of the group is to be calculated as if for a single transmitter; and

(b) when calculating the device boundary criterion (3.4 GHz), the

horizontally radiated power is calculated in accordance with subclauses (2), (2A), (3) and (4).

 

(2)   From 25 June 2003, where each transmitter in the group operates with a horizontally radiated power not exceeding 25 dBm/30 kHz and having an antenna with a half-power beamwidth not exceeding 25 degrees, the horizontally radiated power is taken:

(a) to be equal for each bearing Φn; and

(b) to have a value that is greater than or equal to the horizontally radiated power, in any direction, of any transmitter in the group.

 

(2A)   Before 25 June 2003, if no two transmitters in the group transmit simultaneously for more than 5% of the time in any one hour period, the horizontally radiated power is taken:

(a) to be equal for each bearing Φn; and

(b) to have a value that is greater than or equal to the horizontally radiated power, in any direction, of any transmitter in the group.

 

(3)   For a group of transmitters located near a central point, if subclause (2) or (2A) does not apply, the horizontally radiated power is taken to be equal to the sum of horizontally radiated powers of each transmitter in the group for each bearing Φn.

 

(4)   For a group of transmitters not located near a central point, if subclause (2) or (2A) does not apply, the horizontally radiated power is taken:

(a) to be equal for each bearing Φn; and

(b) to have a value that is greater than or equal to the horizontally radiated power, in any direction, of any transmitter in the group, but never less than 52 dBm EIRP per 30 kHz.

 

 


Schedule 1  Amendments

 

 

 

[2] Schedule 3, clause 4

 

substitute

 

4. Effective antenna height of a group of fixed transmitters from 25 June 2003

 

From 25 June 2003, for a group of fixed transmitters where the antenna height above ground of the highest transmitter (hgmax), calculated in accordance with clause 2(a), is equal to or less than 10 metres and where each transmitter in the group operates with a horizontally radiated power not exceeding 25 dBm/30 kHz and having an antenna with a half-power beamwidth not exceeding 25 degrees:

(a) the group of transmitters is to be treated as if it is a single fixed transmitter; and

(b) the effective antenna height of the group, hem(Φn), is hgmax for any segment “m”=1 to 30 and any bearing (Φn).

 

[3] After Schedule 3, clause 4

 

insert

 

4A. Effective antenna height of a group of fixed transmitters before 25 June 2003

 

Before 25 June 2003, for a group of fixed transmitters where the antenna height above ground of the highest transmitter (hgmax), calculated in accordance with clause 2(a), is equal to or less than 10 metres:

(a) the group of transmitters is to be treated as if it is a single fixed transmitter; and

(b) the effective antenna height of the group, hem(Φn), is hgmax for any segment “m”=1 to 30 and any bearing (Φn).

However, if a fixed transmitter in the group transmits for more than 5% of the time in any 1 hour period, each transmitter in the group is to be treated as if it were a single fixed transmitter and the effective antenna height of each fixed transmitter is to be worked out as for a single fixed transmitter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

The Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 3.4 GHz Band) Amendment Determination 2003 (No. 1) was made by the Australian Communications Authority under the Radiocommunications Act 1992. The Determination was introduced to address issues related to the management of interference levels in the 3.4 GHz frequency band. This legislative instrument came into effect on 25 June 2003 and amends the Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 3.4 GHz Band) Determination 2000. The policy objective behind this amendment is to regulate the levels of interference to ensure efficient and effective use of the radio spectrum. The amendments primarily focus on the calculation of device boundaries and effective antenna heights for groups of transmitters, particularly those operating with specific power and beamwidth criteria.

Scope and Application

The Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 3.4 GHz Band) Amendment Determination 2003 (No. 1) applies to the regulation of radiocommunications, specifically addressing the levels of interference that are deemed unacceptable within the 3.4 GHz frequency band. This Determination is applicable to entities and individuals operating within Australia, particularly those involved in radiocommunications. It seeks to amend the existing Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 3.4 GHz Band) Determination 2000, adjusting the technical parameters and conditions under which groups of transmitters must operate to minimise interference. The Amendment Determination sets out specific criteria for the calculation of horizontally radiated power for groups of transmitters, differentiating between those operating before and after 25 June 2003. Furthermore, the Determination outlines conditions for effective antenna heights of fixed transmitter groups, ensuring these groups are treated appropriately based on their configuration and operational periods. The geographic scope of this Determination is confined to the national jurisdiction of Australia, governed under the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

Key Provisions

The Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 3.4 GHz Band) Amendment Determination 2003 (No. 1) primarily amends the Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 3.4 GHz Band) Determination 2000. Key provisions include modifications to the calculation of the device boundary for groups of transmitters and the effective antenna height for groups of fixed transmitters. For example, Schedule 1 modifies the device boundary calculation to ensure that the horizontally radiated power is calculated according to specific criteria based on the operation and configuration of the transmitters (Section 1). Schedule 2 introduces new rules for the horizontally radiated power of groups of transmitters, specifying different calculations depending on the time period before and after 25 June 2003 (Section 2). Additionally, Schedule 3 revises the effective antenna height for groups of fixed transmitters, treating the group as a single transmitter under certain conditions (Section 4). The Amendment Determination imposes several obligations on parties and entities involved with radiocommunications in the specified frequency band. These include compliance with the new device boundary calculations, ensuring that the horizontally radiated power adheres to the prescribed limits, and accurately calculating the effective antenna height of groups of fixed transmitters. Entities must ensure that their transmitters operate within the specified power limits and that their configurations comply with the new provisions, especially regarding the simultaneous transmission of multiple transmitters. Furthermore, fixed transmitters must adhere to the stipulated antenna height conditions to maintain compliance. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Amendment Determination can result in significant consequences. While the determination does not explicitly outline specific penalties, non-compliance with radiocommunications regulations generally can lead to enforcement actions under the Radiocommunications Act 1992. This may include fines, corrective actions, or even the revocation of licences. The penalties for such breaches can be severe, reflecting the importance of adhering to the specified standards to prevent unacceptable levels of interference.

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