New interim arrangements for remotely piloted aircraft systems in 5055–5065 MHz band - consultation 17/2022

In May 2022, we consulted on interim arrangements for access to the band to enable early deployments while international arrangements are being finalised. As a result, we have made an interim RALI to enable access to the 5055–5065 MHz portion of the band for line-of-sight (LoS) remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) control and non-payload communication (CNPC) links.

The interim RALI MS 48 will remain in force until we have consulted on, and put in place, more permanent arrangements. You can find it in the 'key documents' section above. 

Submissions received for this consultation are published at the bottom of this page. You can also find a summary document that details our response to the submissions in the key documents section.  

RPAS usage and technologies have expanded significantly in recent years. While CNPC for small consumer and commercial RPAS has been in use for some time, safe operation of RPAS within controlled airspace is emerging as a key next step.

In April 2021, we consulted on use of the 5030–5091 MHz band for dedicated terrestrial line-of-sight (LoS) RPAS CNPC in controlled airspace. While the Australian industry is supportive of introducing new arrangements, international spectrum arrangements are still being considered.

We expect that the international spectrum arrangements will begin to be settled towards the end 2022. We will later release for consultation an options paper identifying an approach for ongoing frequency arrangements that takes into account work being undertaken with the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector.

In the meantime, we are releasing the attached interim RALI to enable access to the 5055–5065 MHz band for LoS RPAS CNPC links. We seek your comments on this proposal.