Extending spectrum availability for LPON services - IFC 20/2022

On 6 October 2022, we made the Broadcasting Services (Availability of Spectrum) Determination 2022.

The determination commenced on 7 October 2022 and ends on 31 December 2035. It makes parts of the radiofrequency spectrum available for allocation to providers of open narrowcasting services.

As there was no demonstrated alternative use of the relevant spectrum, we made the determination with a longer duration than previous determinations of 5 years. Should there be a change to the demand for spectrum, the ACMA may revisit the allocation.

While the determination ends in December 2035, we have no plans to change the licensing arrangements for LPON services. The maximum tenure for apparatus licences for LPON services will remain at 5 years.

Low power open narrowcasting (LPON) services are broadcasting services whose reception is limited in some way.

To license LPON services, we must determine that radiofrequency spectrum is available. We do this under section 34 of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.

The current section 34 determination expires on 31 December 2025.

Our consultation paper seeks your comments on the following 4 questions:

1. Are there any alternative broadcasting and non-broadcasting uses of the sub-band spectrum (87.5–88.0 MHz) that we should be aware of?
2. Should we make a new section 34 determination for LPON services later this year to extend the availability of spectrum for LPON services beyond 31 December 2025?
3. What would be an appropriate duration for the determination?
4. How often should we conduct periodic reviews on spectrum availability for LPON services?