VHF High Band Frequency Band Plan (148 to 174 MHz) 1991

VHF High Band Frequency Band Plan (148 to 174 MHz) 1991

as amended

made under subsection 32 (1) of the

Radiocommunications Act 1992

This compilation was prepared on 21 June 2005
taking into account amendments up to VHF High Band Frequency Band Plan
(148 to 174 MHz) Variation 2002 (No. 1)

[Note: Section 4 of the Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992 (Act No. 167, 1992) provides that an instrument in force under the old Act (the Radiocommunications Act 1983) remains in force as if the instrument were made under the new Act (the Radiocommunications Act 1992)]

Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra

Contents

 1 Name of plan [see Note 1]

 2 General 

 3 Definitions 

 6 General purposes for band segments 

 7 Channelling arrangements for band segments 

 8 Status of allocations 

 9 Exemption from compliance with clause 6 or 7 — existing services 

 9A Exemption from compliance with clause 7 — new services 

 10 Table 2: Service allocations 

 11 Table 3: Channelling arrangements 

 12 Figure 1: VHF High Band Plan Diagram [see Note 2]

 13 High Spectrum Demand and Rural areas 

 14 Table 4: High Spectrum Demand contour centre coordinates and radii 

 15 Figure 2: Diagram of High Spectrum Demand and Rural areas 

Notes  

1 Name of plan [see Note 1]

  This plan is the VHF High Band Frequency Band Plan (148 to 174 MHz) 1991.

2 General

  The following notes describe the intention of this plan and outline the approach adopted for its implementation.

[General Note: This general note and other notes in square brackets are intended to provide guidance in the operation of the Band Plan and are not intended to be part of the Band Plan.

(1) This plan provides for the expansion of existing services and the introduction of new types of services.

(2) The principal changes to the VHF High Band provide for:

(a) predominant use of the band for land mobile services; and

(b) a band structure which accommodates predominantly two frequency systems to facilitate more efficient use of radiocommunications sites; and

(c) the introduction of land mobile services (trunked) and amplitude companded single sideband services to increase the long term productivity of the band; and

(d) the existing 30 kHz channelling to be replaced by a more spectrum efficient 12.5 kHz channelling to increase the short and medium term productivity of the band; and

(e) flexibility to accommodate services which provide more efficient use of the spectrum.

(3) This plan commences on gazettal.]

3 Definitions

 (1) Unless the contrary intention appears, a word or expression used in this plan and in the spectrum plan has the same meaning in this plan as it has in the spectrum plan (even if the word or expression is also defined in the Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2000.

Note   For the definitions of other expressions used in this plan, see the Radiocommunications Act 1992, the Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2000 and the Radiocommunications Regulations 1993.

 (2) In this plan, unless the contrary intention appears:

Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

allocation means the purpose for which a segment may be used.

allowed area means the geographic area in which services specified in this plan may be operated.

authorised means authorised by the ACA.

bandwidth means the frequency difference between the upper frequency limit and the lower frequency limit of a sub-band.

base receive means a segment which may be used at a base station for reception only.

base transmit means a segment which may be used at a base station for transmission only.

channel means a sub-band in a segment, with a specified centre frequency.

channelling refers to the frequency separation between 2 consecutive channel centre frequencies in the same segment.

fixed service (paging) means the fixed service used for paging.

HSD area has the meaning it is given in clause 13.

interior paging talkback channel means a channel in a land mobile service (single frequency) which is used in conjunction with an interior paging service, but which may not be used for transmissions between ambulatory stations on land.

land mobile service (paging) means the land mobile service used for paging.

miscellaneous service means a mobile service, or a fixed service, that uses unconventional or innovative radiocommunications technologies.

narrowband area service means a service provided by a narrowband area service station.

non-HSD area means an area outside (or on the rural area side of) an HSD area.

non-rural area means an area outside (or on the HSD area side of) a rural area.

paging means exterior paging or interior paging.

Note   The definitions of exterior paging and interior paging in the Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2000 refer to communication. Communication is defined in that determination as including communication in any form, including speech, music or other sounds, data, text, visual images and signals.

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

rural area has the meaning it is given in in clause 13.

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

segment is a sub-band of the VHF High Band, represented by a letter in the range ‘A’ to ‘W’, as indicated in Column 2 of an item in Table 2 or 3, to which the frequency range in Column 3 of Table 2 corresponds.

single frequency means a mode of operation in which transmissions can be made between 2 stations in either one or both directions, but not simultaneously in both directions, and for which only one channel is used.

sub-band means any part of the VHF High Band.

transmit/receive split means the frequency separation between the transmit channel centre frequency and receive channel centre frequency of a station in a two frequency service.

trunked means a mode of operation in which base stations are used for communicating with mobile stations and in which a number of users share the use of 2 or more channels selected automatically by the base station.

two frequency means a mode of operation in which transmissions can be made between 2 stations and in which 2 channels are used.

VHF High Band is the range of frequencies from 148 MHz (exclusive) to 174 MHz (inclusive).

6 General purposes for band segments

  Subject to clause 9 and the spectrum plan, the VHF High Band, represented diagrammatically in Figure 1, may only be used for a service:

 (a) which transmits or receives signals in a channel in the range specified in Column 3 of an item in Table 2, to which range the segment in Column 2 corresponds; and

 (b) whose purpose accords with the allocation specified in Column 4 of that item; and

 (c) in a geographic area specified in Column 5 of that item.

7 Channelling arrangements for band segments

 (1) Subject to clause 9 and subclause 7 (3) and the spectrum plan, the VHF High Band may only be used for a service which operates:

 (a) within a channel whose centre frequency is determined by the formula specified in Column 3 of an item in Table 3, where the values of ‘n’ in the formula are specified in Column 4 of that item; and

 (b) within a channel bandwidth as specified in Column 5 of that item.

 (2) The transmit/receive split in the VHF High Band is 4.6 MHz.

 (3) Channelling arrangements other than those specified by subclauses 7 (1) and 7 (2) may be authorised where such arrangements provide for more efficient use of the spectrum, as compared to the channelling arrangements specified for that segment.

[Note   In determining the spectrum efficiency of a service, without limiting the range of matters which may be taken into account, the following matters may be considered:

(a) occupied bandwidth;

(b) adjacent channel performance;

(c) the distance from the transmitter that the channel may be used again without causing harmful interference;

(d) the impact that introduction of the service will have upon existing services.]

8 Status of allocations

  Unless the contrary intention appears, a service which is operated according to clauses 6 and 7 is a primary service.

9 Exemption from compliance with clause 6 or 7 — existing services

 (1) An existing service may use frequencies in the VHF High Band, on a secondary basis, to supply a service that does not comply with either clause 6 or 7.

 (2) For subclause (1), an existing service is a service for the operation of which a licence:

 (a) was, or is taken to have been, in force on 30 June 1998; and

 (b) has continued, or is taken to have continued, in force after that date.

 (3) For this clause:

 (a) a licence is taken to have been in force on 30 June 1998 if the operation of the service became unlicensed between 2 May 1998 and 30 June 1998 and was unlicensed for not more than 60 consecutive days; and

 (b) a licence is taken to have continued in force after 30 June 1998 if the operation of the service has been unlicensed for not more than 60 consecutive days.

9A Exemption from compliance with clause 7 — new services

 (1) A new service may use frequencies in the VHF High Band, on a secondary basis, in a non-HSD area, to supply a service that does not comply with clause 7.

 (2) For subclause (1), a new service is a service for which a licence was not in force, or taken to have been in force for clause 9, on 30 June 1998.

10 Table 2: Service allocations

Table 2

Note 1   The land mobile service (paging) in a channel with centre frequency 148.3375 MHz or 149.1875 MHz is a primary service when used for interior paging and is a secondary service when used for exterior paging.

The fixed service (paging) in a channel with centre frequency 148.3375 MHz or 149.1875 MHz is a primary service when used for interior paging and is a secondary service when used for exterior paging.

The land mobile service (paging) in segment A (other than in a channel with centre frequency 148.3375 MHz or 149.1875 MHz) is a primary service when used for exterior paging and is a secondary service when used for interior paging.

The fixed service (paging) in segment A (other than in a channel with centre frequency 148.3375 MHz or 149.1875 MHz) is a primary service when used for exterior paging and is a secondary service when used for interior paging.

Note 2   In a channel with centre frequency 149.7875, 149.8375 or 149.8875 MHz, the land mobile service (paging) or the fixed service (paging) may be authorised as a primary service when used for exterior paging or as a secondary service when used for interior paging.

Note 3   Fixed services (two frequency) may be operated in non-rural areas on a secondary basis.

Note 4   The frequency 153.8 MHz may be used as the centre frequency for an interior paging talkback channel.

Note 5   The operation of maritime mobile services is subject to the provisions of Appendix 18 of the International Telecommunication Union Radio Regulations.

Note 6   Land mobile segments referenced by this note may be used in a single frequency mode or a two frequency mode in non-HSD areas of any State or Territory. In HSD areas of any State or Territory, either single frequency or two frequency modes may be used, but not both. The mode of operation for these segments in HSD areas may be determined by the ACA, based upon relative demand for these modes of operation in each State and Territory.

Note 7   Segments referenced by this note may be authorised for use by users of:

(a) other land mobile services that make equivalent or more efficient use of the spectrum, as compared to the designated service allocation; or

(b) land mobile services (two frequency), if such services are used in conjunction with a land mobile service (trunked).

Note 8   Segments A, B and C may also be used for a mobile‑satellite service.

Note 9   Segment D may also be used for a land mobile-satellite service.

Note 10   Segments F and W are predominantly allocated to miscellaneous services. However, they may also be used for narrowband area services.

11 Table 3: Channelling arrangements

Table 3

Note 1   A station that is part of the land mobile service (paging) or the fixed service (paging) may be used in this segment in a channel with centre frequency 149.7875, 149.8375 or 149.8875 MHz and a channel bandwidth of 25 kHz. The channelling arrangements for the mobile-satellite service are not defined.

Note 2   The channelling arrangements for the radionavigation satellite service and land mobile-satellite service are not defined.

Note 3   The channelling arrangements are for miscellaneous services only, and are nominal. Any user of a miscellaneous service may be authorised to operate with a channel centre frequency and channel bandwidth other than that specified. The channelling arrangements for narrowband area services are not defined.

Note 4   The interior paging talkback channel, with channel centre frequency 153.8 MHz, has a bandwidth of 25 kHz.

Note 5   Any user of a land mobile service (single frequency) may be authorised to operate their service with a channel bandwidth of 25 kHz and a channel centre frequency other than that specified in this segment, if their service is used in conjunction with a maritime mobile service.

Note 6   The operation of maritime mobile services is subject to the provisions of Appendix 18 of the International Telecommunication Union Radio Regulations.

Note 7   The channelling arrangements for a mobile-satellite service are not defined.

12 Figure 1: VHF High Band Plan Diagram [see Note 2]

Figure 1

13 High Spectrum Demand and Rural areas

 (1) A High Spectrum Demand (HSD) area is the area on or within a circular contour drawn with a radius specified in Column 5 of an item in Table 4, centred on a point specified as an Australian Map Grid coordinate in Column 4 of that item.

 (2) The centre point is nominally described by reference to a nearby town, specified in Column 3, situated in a State specified in Column 2 of that item.

 (3) Where adjacent areas overlap, an HSD area then becomes the combination of those adjacent areas.

 (4) The Rural area is defined by a contour which lies 100 km outside the HSD areas and encloses the HSD areas.

 (5) Diagrammatic representations of the HSD and Rural areas are set out in Figure 2.

14 Table 4: High Spectrum Demand contour centre coordinates and radii

Table 4

15 Figure 2: Diagram of High Spectrum Demand and Rural areas

Figure 2

Notes to the VHF High Band Frequency Band Plan (148 to 174 MHz) 1991

Note 1

The VHF High Band Frequency Band Plan (148 to 174 MHz) 1991 (in force under subsection 32 (1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992) as shown in this compilation is amended as indicated in the Tables below.

Table of Instruments

Table of Amendments

Note 2

Item [9] of Schedule 1 to the VHF High Band Frequency Band Plan (148 to 174 MHz) Variation 2002 (No. 1) provides as follows:

[9] Clause 11, figure 1, legend

omit

  Paging

insert

  Land mobile service (paging) and fixed service (paging)

The proposed amendment was misdescribed and is not included in this compilation.