The Australian Communications and Media Authority is seeking public and industry feedback on two documents that together provide guidance on how ACMA is intending to approach the critical task of addressing demand for spectrum going forward.

‘ACMA’s analysis is telling us that demand for spectrum is likely to continue to grow and proliferate across the board over coming years, and it is vital that we have a good framework in place to help us to meet this challenge,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

The two consultation papers, Spectrum Management Principles and Five-year Spectrum Outlook, have been released ahead of ACMA’s spectrum management conference, to facilitate informed discussion among stakeholders. The conference, RadComms08, runs from 30 April to 2 May. Limited places are still available for the conference to be held at the Sofitel Melbourne. Details are available at www.acma.gov.au/radcomms08.

The first document proposes a set of high-level spectrum management principles. The key theme of the principles is balancing the use of market mechanisms with regulatory intervention to maximise public benefit derived from using the spectrum. The broad, high-level principles that ACMA is proposing to use in its management of the radiofrequency spectrum are:

allocate spectrum to the highest value use or uses;

enable and encourage users to move spectrum to its highest value use or uses;

use the least cost and least restrictive approach to achieving policy objectives;

balance certainty and flexibility; and

balance the cost of interference and the benefits of greater spectrum utilisation.

ACMA’s Five-year Spectrum Outlook presents a spectrum demand analysis and indicative work programs for the 2009 - 2014 timeframe. It consolidates the fundamental issues affecting spectrum requirements of key radiocommunications services and outlines ACMA’s preliminary thoughts on how to best manage the demand. The document also highlights spectrum requirements that may arise beyond 2014.

The five-year outlook is intended to facilitate constructive and meaningful discussions between ACMA and stakeholders about emerging pressures for change to spectrum access arrangements.

‘These two documents are designed to increase the transparency, predictability and consistency of ACMA’s decision-making in a climate of rapid technological change. In light of the increasing demand for spectrum, and the significant planning and allocation decisions to be made over the next three to five years, it is timely to seek industry views about the proposed principles and the nature of the demands for spectrum,’ said Mr Chapman.

The two papers are part of a series of consultation documents being released by ACMA in the lead up to the RadComms08 conference. An Independent Review of Government Spectrum Holdings report (together with ACMA’s initial response to the review) and a discussion paper on future options for spectrum replanning in the 400 MHz band are both scheduled for release later this week.

Following consideration of comments received, ACMA expects to release a final version of the Five-year Spectrum Outlook in late 2008. ACMA will review and update the outlook, including the indicative work programs, on an annual basis to ensure it reflects current demands and priorities.

The Spectrum Management Principles and Five-year Spectrum Outlook consultation papers are available on the ACMA website. The closing date for comment on both is 18 July 2008.

The full conference program for RadComms08 is available on the ACMA website at www.acma.gov.au/radcomms08 or from Bridget Lally at Bridget.Lally@acma.gov.au or (02) 6219 5203.

AMTA is developing a mobile phone industry view on these issues through its Spectrum Advisory Committee.