News

13 Dec 2012

Wireless: The (ALMOST) new laws. Time for a quick comment!

(13 Dec, 2012)

Here we go – the ACMA held a Wireless Mic workshop last week. The upshot is that YOU have a short period to make comments, and then the following becomes LAW:

1. FROM the end of December 2014 the digital dividend spectrum (694–820 MHz) is NOT available for wireless audio transmitters. This means no use of 694-820 MHz.

2. They now authorise the use of digitally modulated wireless audio transmitters in the 520–694 MHz band. What this means: Digital modulation products were technically not permitted in Australia due to the wording of the class license which stated “must be FM modulated”. Now they will update the license to permit digital systems. This means OK to use digitally modulated wireless audio transmitters in the 520–694 MHz band.

3. They will authorise the use of wireless audio transmitters in the 1790–1800 MHz band.
This means: No a lot of product out there on this range at the moment, and the usefulness of 1.8GHz for wireless systems is yet to be tested. We can’t see professional users flocking to this band, but it may give opportunity to move some of the community users over and free up some congestion in the remaining 520-694MHz UHF band.

The ACMA announcement is here.

The ACMA invites comment on it the proposed amendments. Submissions should be made:

By email: freqplan@acma.gov.au

By mail:
The Manager
Spectrum Engineering and Space
Australian Communications and Media Authority
PO Box 78
Belconnen ACT 2616

The closing date for submissions is 4 February 2013.

Electronic submissions in Microsoft Word or Rich Text Format are preferred.

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