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

Administered by Department of Communications and the Arts

Legislation au F2005B01166 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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Commonwealth of Australia

Radiocommunications Act 1992

VHF High Band Frequency Band Plan (148 to 174 MHz)1 (Variation)

I, Christine Mary Goode, Spectrum Manager, acting on behalf of the Spectrum Management Agency, make the following Instrument of Variation  under subsection 34 (1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

Dated     25 June 1996.

 

 

 

 

christine m. goode

Spectrum Manager

____________

1.   Variation

1.1   The VHF High Band Frequency Band Plan (148 to 174 MHz) is varied as set out in this Instrument of Variation.

[NOTE: This Instrument of Variation commences on gazettal: see Radiocommunications Act 1992, s. 34 and Acts Interpretation Act 1901, ss. 46A and 48.]

2.   Clause 2 (General)

2.1   Note (4) to clause 2:

Omit “Each Regional Office of the Department”, substitute “The SMA”.

2.2   Note (4) to clause 2:

Omit “in their region”.

2.3   Note (8) to clause 2:

Omit “the relevant Regional Office”, substitute “the SMA”.


3.   Clause 3 (Interpretation)

3.1   Subclause 3 (1):

Omit the subclause, substitute:

 (1) Unless the contrary intention appears, if any expression used in this Band Plan is defined in:

 (a) the Radiocommunications Act 1992; or

 (b) the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan; or

 (c) the Radiocommunications Regulations; or

 (d) the Radiocommunications (Definitions) Determination No. 2 of 1993;

the expression has the same meaning in this Band Plan as in that Act, that Spectrum Plan, those Regulations, or that Determination, as the case requires.”.

3.2   Subclause 3 (2):

After the definition of “allowed area”, insert:

 ‘authorised’ means authorised by the SMA;”.

3.3   Subclause 3 (2) (Definition of “primary service”):

Omit “Part 3 of the Radiocommunications—Australian Spectrum Plan;”, substitute “the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan;”.

3.4   Subclause 3 (2) (Definition of “secondary service”):

Omit “Part 3 of the Radiocommunications—Australian Spectrum Plan;”, substitute “the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan;”.

3.5   Subclause 3 (2) (Definition of “Regional Office”):

Omit the definition.

3.6   Subclause 3 (3):

Omit the subclause.

4.   Clause 6 (General Purposes for Band Segments)

4.1   Clause 6:

Omit “Part 4 of the Radiocommunications—Australian Spectrum Plan,”, substitute “the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan,”.

5.   Clause 7 (Channelling Arrangements for Band Segments)

5.1   Subclause 7 (1):

Omit “Part 4 of the Radiocommunications—Australian Spectrum Plan,”, substitute “the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan,”.


6.   Clause 9 (Exemption From Compliance With Clauses 6 and 7)

6.1   Clause 9:

Add at the end of the clause:

 (4) An existing service, part of an existing service, an increased existing service or a new service may be authorised to operate after the conversion date relating to the service:

 (a) on a transitional basis in accordance with clause 9A; and

 (b) for purposes, or with technical or operational characteristics, other than those specified in this Band Plan.”.

7.   New clause 9A

7.1   After clause 9, insert:

Authorisation to use service beyond conversion date

 9A. (1) An authorisation under subclause 9 (4) must not be given unless:

 (a) the SMA is satisfied that a person who proposes to operate the service in accordance with the authorisation has taken all reasonable actions to comply with the Band Plan by the relevant conversion date; and

 (b) the SMA is satisfied that the operation of the service in accordance with the authorisation will not cause interference or any disadvantage to other services which are operating in compliance with the Band Plan; and

 (c) the person operating the service has acknowledged to the SMA in writing that the service may be subject to interference by other services which are operating in compliance with the Band Plan.

 (2) An authorisation has no effect after 30 June 1998.”.

8.   Clause 10 (Table 2: service allocations)

8.1   Note 6 to the table:

Omit “by the Secretary, or by an officer of the Department authorised in writing by the Secretary”, substitute “by the SMA”.

______________________________________________________________________

NOTE

1. Statutory Rules 1991 No 354, as amended by Statutory Rules 1993 No 38.  Section 4 of the Radiocommunications (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992 (“the Transitional Act”) provides that, inter alia, a frequency band plan prepared under the Radiocommunications Act 1983 that was in force immediately before the commencement of the Transitional Act continues in force and is taken to be a frequency band plan under the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

Overview

The Radiocommunications Act 1992, enacted by the Commonwealth Parliament, provides a legislative framework for the regulation of radiocommunications in Australia. This Act was introduced to address the need for a cohesive and modern approach to managing the radio spectrum, ensuring efficient and effective use while avoiding interference between different services. One of the specific tools under this Act is the VHF High Band Frequency Band Plan (148 to 174 MHz) 1 (Variation) Instrument of 1996, made by the Spectrum Manager on behalf of the Spectrum Management Agency. This instrument aims to update and refine the frequency allocations within the specified band, ensuring that the spectrum is used in a manner that aligns with contemporary technological and operational requirements. The policy objective behind this variation is to streamline the management of radio frequencies, facilitating better coordination and minimising potential conflicts among various users of the radio spectrum.

Scope and Application

The VHF High Band Frequency Band Plan (148 to 174 MHz) (Variation) Instrument of 1996, made under the Radiocommunications Act 1992, outlines amendments to the existing frequency band plan, affecting various stakeholders within the telecommunications sector. This legislation applies to all entities and individuals involved in the use of the specified VHF high band frequency range, including broadcasters, emergency services, and other commercial and private users of radio equipment within the designated spectrum. The instrument's jurisdictional reach is national, as it pertains to the entire Commonwealth of Australia. Notably, the Instrument of Variation extends the responsibility for managing and authorising the use of the frequency spectrum from the former Department of Communications to the Spectrum Management Agency (SMA). Additionally, it introduces a transitional period for existing services to comply with the new regulations, allowing them to operate under specific conditions until 30 June 1998, provided they do not cause interference to other compliant services. The variations also include clarifications and updates to definitions and references to other relevant spectrum management documents, ensuring consistency and alignment with current legislative frameworks.

Key Provisions

The VHF High Band Frequency Band Plan (148 to 174 MHz) under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 has undergone a variation, effective from 25 June 1996, as per Instrument of Variation (1). This variation brings several changes to the operational framework of the VHF High Band Frequency Band Plan. Specifically, the changes include updating references from "Department" to "Spectrum Management Agency" (SMA) and removing some specific references to regional offices (2). The interpretation clause has been updated to ensure consistency with other related documents and definitions (3). The general purposes for band segments and channelling arrangements have been aligned with the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan (4, 5). Additionally, new provisions regarding exemptions and transitional authorisations have been introduced (6, 7). Finally, the authority to approve service allocations has been transferred from the Secretary or authorised officers to the SMA (8). The obligations imposed by this variation include ensuring that any existing services or new services comply with the updated Band Plan by the relevant conversion date. This involves taking reasonable actions to align with the Band Plan, preventing interference to other services, and acknowledging the potential for interference from services operating under the new regulations (7). The SMA must also be satisfied that the proposed service will not cause interference or disadvantage to other compliant services before granting any transitional authorisations (7). Furthermore, any authorisations granted under the transitional provisions are limited in time, ceasing to have effect after 30 June 1998 (7). Breach of the provisions within this Instrument of Variation could lead to various consequences. While the specific penalties are not detailed in the text provided, under the general framework of the Radiocommunications Act 1992, non-compliance with authorised frequency band plans can result in both civil and criminal penalties. Civil penalties can include fines, and in severe cases, criminal penalties might apply, leading to imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as outlined in the overarching Act and related regulations.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.