IFC 06/2009

ACMA’s spectrum demand analysis and indicative work programs for the next five years

• The Five-year Spectrum Outlook
• Development of the Outlook for 2010-2014
• Five-year Spectrum Outlook 2010–2014: Details of significant changes  

The Five-year Spectrum Outlook

The purpose of the Five-year Spectrum Outlook (the Outlook) is to outline the ACMA’s assessment of the demand for different parts of the radiofrequency spectrum and facilitate discussion with stakeholders about:

• emerging pressures for changes to the approach used to manage spectrum; and
• the ACMA’s proposed approaches to address these issues.

The Outlook consolidates the fundamental issues affecting key radiocommunications services over the next five years, and outlines the ACMA’s preliminary thoughts on how to address these issues. Based on these thoughts, the ACMA has developed indicative spectrum management work programs. The Outlook also identifies spectrum requirements that could arise for radiocommunications services beyond 2013.

The Frequency Audit Table is included as an appendix to the Outlook, and provides a band-by-band overview of the current regulatory provisions and use of the radiofrequency spectrum, along with a summary of key issues as covered in the Outlook.

The Outlook builds on the Australian Communications Authority’s report from DC to Daylight – Accounting for use of the Spectrum in Australia.

The current Five-year Spectrum Outlook 2009-2013 can be downloaded in Word (2.5 mb) or PDF (1.54 mb) formats.

The accompanying Frequency Audit Table can be downloaded in Word (1.8 mb) or PDF (3.6 mb) formats.

Development of the Outlook for 2010-2014

The Outlook is intended to be a ‘living document’ that is open to industry feedback at any time. The ACMA plans to update this document on an annual basis to take account of changing priorities and demands. When released, the Outlook for 2010-2014 will be the first of these updates.

The ACMA is developing the Outlook for 2010-2014. The Outlook for 2010-2014 will detail a number of major updates and new projects. The full list of substantive updates are shown below.

The ACMA intends to release the Outlook for 2010-2014 in April 2010. The initial release will be via the ACMA website. The publication will be made available at the ACMA’s RadComms2010 conference held on the 5 and 6 of May 2010 in Melbourne.

Five-year Spectrum Outlook for 2010 – 2014: Detail of proposed substantive updates

The ACMA is in the process of developing the Outlook for 2010-2014. The purpose of the Outlook is to:

• provide transparency for industry about the pressures on spectrum and the likely directions of the ACMA’s spectrum management work in the short and medium term; and
• foster dialogue with stakeholders about emerging pressures for change to existing spectrum access arrangements.

The Outlook will be based on the 2009-2013 version, and will include a number of updates to reflect stakeholder submissions.

The submissions for the Outlook for 2010-2014 closed on 11 September 2009. The ACMA received a total of 14 submissions; these are now being considered, in conjunction with a number of new issues identified by the ACMA. The following is a list of the proposed substantive updates.

• Update to the 3575-3700 MHz band (the 3.6 GHz band) arrangements to reflect the ACMA’s decision to release the band to support the deployment of wireless access services. The update includes the proposed licence allocation process.
• Update of the information relating to intelligent transport systems (ITS) to reflect the ACMA’s proposals to release spectrum in the band 5 850-5 925 MHz (5.9 GHz) to permit the introduction of ITS for road users in Australia.
• Removal of the project ‘Independent Report on Government Spectrum Holdings’, as it is complete. The outcomes of this project are now being considered across a number of specific projects being undertaken by the ACMA, which are identified in the Outlook.
• The ACMA’s reassessment, over the next 5-10 years, of the arrangements in the 380-400 MHz band as part of the ongoing monitoring of government spectrum use, and land mobile use in the 400 MHz band.
• The information relating to the Terrestrial flight telecommunication systems (TFTS) has been updated to reflect the ACMA’s current consideration of appropriate licensing arrangements to support the introduction of TFTS. This includes the ACMA’s intention to consult with interested parties on future arrangements.
• Update of the information relating to potential digital radio technologies, noting that digital radio should be considered as a supplementary technology to analog radio and not a replacement technology, as identified in the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Radio) Act 2007. The update will also include information on the consideration of digital radio in regional areas.
• Update of the information relating to the potential for spectrum to support area-wide and state-wide smart grid applications. The ACMA has presented a range of options to the utility providers, including participation in future spectrum allocations, the purchase of existing spectrum licences, and sharing with other industries with similar network requirements.
• Modification of the ACMA’s proposed approach in relation to the 400 MHz band. This includes updating the current situation; detailing the issues identified in the ACMA consultation paper Spectrum Proposals: 403-520 MHz – Proposals for future arrangements in the 400 MHz band; and that the ACMA is currently developing strategies to address short to long term usage for the band.
• Modification of the section relating to space science service to provide further information concerning passive services in spectrum allocated for the science service.
• Addition of the ACMA’s intention over the next 3-5 years, to review RALI FX-14 and investigate the use of the 3.4-3.59 GHz band to support time division duplex (TDD) technologies.
• Addition of the ACMA’s intention to modify embargo 42 to allow FSS Earth stations in regional and rural areas, following the implementation of an Earth station siting policy.
• Addition of the ACMA’s intention, over the next 3-5 years, to review the arrangements in the 3492.5-3542.5 MHz (3.5 GHz) band to ascertain its suitability for wireless access service applications.
• Addition of the ACMA’s intention, over the next 12 months, to review the 900 MHz band to ease spectrum congestion and increase spectrum availability for fixed and mobile systems.
• Addition of the ACMA’s intention, over the next 3-5 years, to consider the issue of compliance with the current Earth receive station licensing regime.

Submissions

The submissions to be considered for the Outlook for 2010-2014 closed on 11 September 2009. Submissions received after this date will be considered for the following update to the Outlook.

The ACMA received a total of 14 submissions, these are now being considered in preparation for the Outlook for 2010-2014. The submissions have provided assistance in identifying stakeholder’s priorities and views on future projects outlined in the Outlook. The majority of issues outlined in the submissions provided advice and information on specific projects, such as:

• the identification of spectrum for wireless access services;
• the use of the digital dividend; and
• views on expiring spectrum licences.

Note:

1. Any submissions not hyperlinked were provided in confidence.

Enquiries about the Outlook and submissions for future Outlooks may be emailed to spectrum.outlook@acma.gov.au.

Previous consultation

On 31 July 2008, the ACMA brought to a close the consultation period that followed the release of the draft Outlook for 2009–2013 in April 2008. The ACMA sought comments and feedback on the information in this document and the value of the initiative, as well as information from stakeholders on spectrum demands or issues that may not have been included in the draft document.

A total of 49 submissions were received to the draft Outlook. The ACMA considered the comments received in preparing the final Outlook for 2009–2013.