At the CommsDay Summit today, the Australian Communications and Media Authority released its revised Principles for Spectrum Management (the Principles) and the Five-year Spectrum Outlook 2009-2013 (the Spectrum Outlook), both of which will guide ACMA’s planning and management of radiofrequency spectrum.

Draft versions of the Principles and the Spectrum Outlook were released in April 2008 for public consultation. They have now been finalised after taking into account the views expressed by stakeholders during the public consultation process.

‘The Principles and the Spectrum Outlook will provide greater insight and transparency to the radiocommunications industry (and the wider Australian public) on ACMA’s spectrum management activities and the principles that will guide the resolution of emerging issues,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

With demand for spectrum increasing from both government and commercial sectors, the Principles have been designed to assist ACMA in its management of the radiofrequency spectrum.

‘The increasing sophistication and growth of new technologies is increasing the demand for spectrum while increasing the opportunity for more productive use of spectrum. The framework and tools used to manage spectrum need to accommodate these issues if ACMA is to continue to maximise the public benefit derived from the use of spectrum,’ said Mr Chapman.

‘Application of the Principles to ACMA’s decision-making on spectrum issues is intended to improve the efficient use of spectrum and maximise opportunities for current and future licensees.

‘ACMA’s Spectrum Outlook has identified fundamental challenges and issues that may have a significant effect on spectrum management in Australia in the five year period 2009 to 2013, and outlines the indicative work program for its approaches and timelines to address these issues,’ said Mr Chapman.

Another primary objective of the Spectrum Outlook is to promote consultation and constructive dialogue between the regulator and the radiocommunications industry.

‘It is important to closely link ACMA’s work priorities with actual demands and pressures on spectrum,’ said Mr Chapman.

‘As such, the Spectrum Outlook is intended to be a ‘living’ document. It will be updated annually and is always open to comment and feedback from the public. It is ACMA’s intent that the Spectrum Outlook will provide a medium through which industry stakeholders can be assured that their views can be recognised and taken into account.’

Together with the release of the Principles, ACMA has also released the Response to Submissions on the Draft Spectrum Management Principles (the Response to Submissions). The Response to Submissions provides ACMA’s views on substantive issues that were raised by stakeholders in their submissions to the Consultation on the Draft Spectrum Management Principles.

‘Providing a response to submissions from the public is deliberately intended to establish a dialogue between ACMA and its stakeholders and should ensure that industry and community views are given proper consideration. Into the future, we hope that providing a response to submissions will be seen as a trademark ACMA initiative’, said Mr Chapman.

ACMA has released these documents ahead of its major spectrum conference RadComms09, to facilitate informed discussion among stakeholders and ACMA. RadComms09 will be held in Sydney on 29 and 30 April 2009.

The revised version of the Principles for Spectrum Management, Response to Submissions on the Draft Spectrum Management Principles and the Five-year Spectrum Outlook 2009-2013 are available on the ACMA website.

Further information about RadComms09 can be accessed from the ACMA website.

AMTA CEO Chris Althaus said the latest generation mobile services are not only contributing directly to economic growth, but are also providing significant indirect economic benefit through the productivity gains provided by mobile technology. This is illustrated in a recent Access Economics analysis[1] which estimates, for example, that mobile data alone will contribute an extra $2billion to GDP by 2010.

“However, given future demand projections, there is a critical need to address future growth trends from an infrastructure perspective. Radiofrequency spectrum is fundamental infrastructure for the provision of mobile telecommunication services. Without it, mobile service is not possible. Further, the type and amount of radiofrequency spectrum made available for mobile telecommunications will influence performance and service levels,” he said.