Government's Spectrum Review proposes a single licensing framework

The foreshadowed consultation on the radiocommunications Spectrum Review has opened, the announcement being made by the Minister for Communications on 11 November 2014. The Department of Communications has released the "Spectrum Review – Potential Reform Directions" paper for public comment.

The Minister for Communications, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, announced the release of the Spectrum Review – Potential Reform Directions paper for public comment. The announcement is available online at this Link

The Directions paper is available from the Department of Communications’ website at this Link

Among the 11 potential reform proposals, of interest to the amateur radio community are:

Introducing a single licensing framework, which does away with apparatus, class and spectrum licensing, in favour of licences being issued based on a set of parameters that cover frequency bands, power limits, licence terms and other specifications. This is otherwise known as "parameter-based licensing".

ACMA delegation of spectrum management functions to other entities. Functions to be devolved could include licensing, fee collection, interference management and dispute resolution, among other things.

Developing more principles-based regulation of the supply of electronic and radiocommunications devices. The idea being to increase incentives for device suppliers and users to to manage risk and resolve interference, as well as disputes in the device supply market.

Extending enforcement measures available to the ACMA, enabling it to impose civil penalties, issue remedial directions and formal warnings to manage and control interference, along with related powers.

Feedback on the Directions paper has to be lodged with the Department of Communications by 2 December 2014.

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