Proposal to make new Air Interface Standard 2022 - consultation 25/2022

We received 5 submissions to this consultation. You can access these at the bottom of the page.

The Telecommunications (Mobile Equipment Air Interface) Technical Standard 2022 (the Mobile Equipment Standard 2022) replaces the Telecommunications (Mobile Equipment Air Interface) Technical Standard 2018. It mandates compliance with 3 new industry standards and comes into effect on 22 December 2022.

Read more about these changes to the Telecommunications Labelling Notice.

We propose to make a new Telecommunications (Mobile Equipment Air Interface) Technical Standard 2022 to replace the existing Telecommunications (Mobile Equipment Air Interface) Standard 2018. Consequential amendments to the Telecommunications (Labelling Notice for Customer Equipment and Customer Cabling) Instrument 2015 are also proposed, to give regulatory effect to the labelling requirements associated with the new Air Interface Standard 2022.

There is currently no technology-specific 5G international industry standards specified for 5G customer equipment.

The proposed Air Interface Standard 2022 incorporates Communications Alliance’s new 5G industry standard as well as the latest industry standards, that have replaced the applicable industry standards specified in the Air Interface Standard 2018. It is intended that the new Air Interface Standard 2022 will update the applicable industry standards and apply the existing safeguards to new 5G technology. The latest industry standards to be incorporated include clarification of the emergency call arrangements and changes to the terminology used in those standards to align with the new 5G industry standard.

Other than a proposal to change the duration of the default ACMA transition period for any amendment or replacement of an applicable standard, the proposed Air Interface Standard 2022 is not intended to change the substantive provisions of the existing Air Interface Standard 2018.

We are seeking comments on:

1. the proposed Air Interface Standard 2022 (Attachment A).
2. the proposed consequential amendments to the Telecommunications Labelling Notice (Attachment B).

We also welcome comments from stakeholders on the following questions:

Question 1

Is it necessary and appropriate to mandate an industry standard for customer equipment with 5G technology?

Question 2

If a mandatory industry standard is required, is the proposed Air Interface Standard 2022, which will mandate Communications Alliance’s new S042.5 (2022) technical standard for 5G CE appropriate?

Is Communication Alliance’s new S042.5 (2022) technical standard the appropriate technology-specific industry standard for 5G customer equipment in Australia?

Question 3

Do you have comments on the proposal to reduce the default 2-year ACMA transition period to a one-year default transition period in the proposed Air Interface Standard 2022?

Question 4

Do you have any other feedback on the proposal to make the new Air Interface Standard 2022 or the consequential changes to the Telecommunications Labelling Notice?