Review of scientific licensing arrangements – consultation 39/2022

The ACMA has concluded its review of scientific licensing arrangements under the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

We received 7 public submissions in response to the review and released a response to submissions. Submissions were broadly supportive of the proposed class licence that would authorise scientific stations previously authorised by non-assigned scientific licences, and largely expressed satisfaction with the current operation of the assigned scientific licensing arrangements.

We made the following instruments to implement the new scientific class licensing framework:

• Radiocommunications (Science and Research) Class Licence 2023
• Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Scientific Licence) Determination 2023
• Radiocommunications (Science and Research) Frequency Band Plans Amendment Instrument (No. 1) 2023.

We have updated our guidelines on scientific apparatus licences, to provide further guidance about using and applying for scientific apparatus licences, including for trials, within broadcasting services bands spectrum, and for the use of high-power amateur stations. 

The public submissions received to the review are available at the bottom of the page. You can find our response to the submissions in the key documents box above.
 

As flagged in our Five-year spectrum outlook 2022–27 (FYSO), we are conducting a review of scientific licensing arrangements under the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (the Act).

The review aims to ensure that our scientific licensing arrangements encourage spectrum users to develop, trial and assess new and innovative radiocommunications technologies and services.

Non-assigned scientific licences authorise experimental and innovative use of land and mobile stations, ultra-wideband technologies, as well as use of scientific stations in controlled emissions scenarios.

We are proposing to replace the non-assigned scientific licence with a class licence. Licensees would be able to continue to use scientific stations as they have been, without having to apply to us for a licence.

The proposed class licence would remove fees and reduce regulatory burden on licensees, making it cheaper and easier for licensees to experiment and innovate, and conduct business-as-usual activities (such as testing and repairing equipment).

Our consultation paper outlines our key considerations when assessing whether activities currently authorised by non-assigned scientific licences are appropriate for a class licencing arrangement, consistent with our approach to radcomms licensing and allocation.

Subject to the outcome of this consultation, we intend to implement the new scientific class licence. We will keep licensees informed of these changes before the class licence is made and comes into legal effect. We will provide advice on any actions required by non-assigned scientific licensees, including requests for surrender of licences and refunds, where appropriate as outlined in the consultation paper.

We are satisfied that the assigned scientific framework is working as intended. The licence continues to authorise trials of new technologies. The licence is being used for a wide range of applications, Global Positioning System (GPS) retransmission technologies, satellite communications and, potentially, experimentation in the amateur radio service.