Purpose
Data quality statements clearly communicate the main impacts on data quality. This helps potential users to work out whether the data is fit for their intended purpose.
Statements:
- Assist in the interpretation of data.
- Provide a method for recording strengths and limitations of data consistently across time.
- Assist data stewards to communicate the quality of data assets to users.
- Determine how applicable the data is when sharing or promoting reuse.
- Allow for quality comparisons of data.
Data asset summary information
| Data asset name: | EME measurement data |
|---|---|
| Date: | June 2024 |
| Business data steward: | ACMA Licensing and Infrastructure Safeguards Branch. |
| Purpose | To inform the ACMA compliance program and business-as-usual measurement program. |
| Description of data asset: | A collection of .csv files providing the results of a variety of EME measurements collected with Narda SRM-3006 EME measurement analyser and probe antenna. |
| Legislation and authority: | The data is collected under the authority provided by the Radiocommunications Act (1992) and the Telecommunications Act (1997). |
| Scope and coverage: | To assess compliance with relevant EME standards set by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). This mitigates the risk of public exposure to EME from active telecommunications base stations. |
| Reference period: | Data collection started in November 2019 and is ongoing. |
| Frequency and timing: | Data collected as required to meet the scope of the reporting. For example, the number of sites we intend to report on. |
| Formats available: | .csv data files |
| Other notes: | This is a dynamic collection of EME measurement data. It is intended to be an ongoing reference as new sites are measured and as previously measured sites are measured again. It will provide trending on EME levels over time. |
Data quality description
Accuracy
EME measurement data collection devices are accurate and calibrated to a schedule in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and in accordance with the ARPANSA RPS S-1 standard.
Completeness
For our 2019–20 measurement program, we measured 59 4G-enabled small cell sites across Australia.
For our 2020–21 and 2021–22 measurement programs, we selected an equal number of Telstra, Optus and TPG Telecom Ltd 5G-enabled sites in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, a total of 129 sites in each state.
For our 2023–24 measurement program we measured 90 5G-enabled mmWave sites across Australia.
Our business-as-usual measurement program is ongoing and aims to measure 130 sites nationally each year. The sites we measure will be a mixture of new sites as well as sites previously measured.
Relevance
The data informs stakeholders about EME levels around mobile base station telecommunications sites. EME data collected is relevant to the frequency bands in use at each telecommunications site.
Timeliness
Measurements are taken over a 12-month period, in line with our compliance priorities reporting timeframes. As telco networks grow, we may choose to re-visit sites to monitor any changes to EME levels.
Collection
Data collection methodology is based on established measurement standards and industry best practice. The ACMA was the first regulator to design a collection methodology and collect 5G beamforming data. Our work in this space is also being watched closely by industry and other international regulators.
Consistency
The EME data measurement device runs a consistent data collection routine at each site. Measurements are referenced to the ARPANSA RPS S-1 standard.
Fit-for-purpose
Community and industry want to understand EME general public exposure from telecommunications infrastructure. The data is fit-for-purpose in that it provides specific EME measures for telco infrastructure frequency bands. The use of this data will provide an additional educational source for consumers and industry to better understand EME general public exposure from telecommunications infrastructure.