Spectrum Management for a Converging World: Case Study on Australia International Telecommunication Union
Radiofrequency spectrum management
Download 1.53 Mb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- Spectrum planning
- Spectrum strategy
Radiofrequency spectrum managementObjectives and approaches of regulationsThe RCA provides the framework for management of the radiofrequency spectrum and has as the first objective the maximisation of the overall public benefit derived from use of the spectrum. The other objects of the RCA provide a fair enumeration of the social and economic factors impinging on spectrum use, including: the need for adequate provision for public and community services; efficiency, equity and transparency in pricing; other communications and industry policy objectives of the Government; and the need to promote Australia's interests internationally. On the basis of the RCA, Australia has moved away from the traditional heavily regulated and tightly allocated model of spectrum management. The RCA introduced a range of market mechanisms designed to complement or substitute for traditional administrative methods for allocating spectrum. The new form of licensing — spectrum licensing — is one of the most important of these mechanisms. As a technology neutral, largely self-regulating form of licensing, it moves many decisions about spectrum use away from planners/regulators towards licensees. Spectrum management in Australia is the responsibility of the ACA which system relies on the following key elements: spectrum planning, to provide predictability and certainty and to establish a framework for minimising interference; licensing, to define the rights and obligations of spectrum users, especially as part of this interference management framework. This includes: licence fees, to encourage efficient use of the spectrum; auctions, to allocate spectrum where demand exceeds supply; standards, where these are the most efficient way of managing interference. Spectrum planning remains a key element of Australia spectrum management regime. Spectrum planning takes place through a hierarchical process (see Figure 4.1): At the highest level, international planning through the ITU establishes broad spectrum uses. This gives industry a predictable base from which to develop communications systems and products, and helps manage cross border interference that could otherwise result from unplanned spectrum use. The ACA recognises the significant benefits in Australia aligning with international arrangements. As a 'technology taker' Australia thus gain access to radiocommunication equipment at less cost than is likely to be the case if it adopted markedly different spectrum arrangements to the rest of the world. Alignment also provides Australia with the ability to support international safety-of-life services and devices. At the national level and next stage in the planning hierarchy, the ACA produces the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan (the Spectrum Plan), which is the overarching domestic planning document (see Annex 1). The Spectrum Plan generally aligns with the broad ITU spectrum allocations for the Asia-Pacific region. It allocates blocks of spectrum to broad types of services such as fixed, mobile, radionavigation and broadcasting, and provides predictability and transparency to users. It is updated regularly to reflect changes in international arrangements, particularly following ITU World Radiocommunication Conferences (WRCs), currently held every three years. Based on the Spectrum Plan, the ACA adopts frequency band plans for specific bands as and when necessary. Such band plans further sub-divide the allocations made in the Spectrum Plan to specific service types. They can also be used to administratively reclaim spectrum and re-allocate it from one service to another. Table 4.1 contains a list of ACA’s band plans which details are given in Annex 1. Table 4.1: The ACA's band plans
Source: ACA. Both the Spectrum Plan and individual band plans are subject to mandatory public consultation processes. They are also (like many other spectrum management issues) discussed within the ACA's consultative bodies, the Radiocommunications Consultative Council (RCC) and the International Radiocommunications Advisory Committee (IRAC). Spectrum strategyRecommendations arising from a RCC Working Group’s report of April 2002 included a proposal that the ACA publish a forward review of spectrum use in conjunction with every WRC, as well as annual revisions [17]. The revisions were to include any likely changes in band use the ACA became aware of in the previous 12 months. The report envisaged that the forward review would incorporate prospective changes in band use arising from the forward auctions program, the outcomes of WRCs and other ACA planning decisions or proposals such as embargoes, new band plans or changes to existing band plans. These recommendations were aimed at providing greater certainty to licensees about how their spectrum use might be affected by change. The ACA has acted on those recommendations and commenced work in 2002-03 on its initial spectrum strategy document. While the spectrum strategy will meet the requirements identified by the RCC, the ACA believes it can go further and provide more information to licensees through a more comprehensive document. The spectrum strategy document will discuss the tensions and trade-offs in spectrum management, key spectrum management issues and the ACA’s regulatory philosophy in managing the spectrum. It will also include a detailed discussion of bands, grouped by application, even where there are no immediate proposals for changing the use of those bands. Such a document will be of practical use to current and intending spectrum users and provide a high level of accountability for the ACA’s management of the spectrum. The ACA intends to publish the spectrum strategy during 2004-05 and to revise it at regular intervals. Figure 4.1: ACA Spectrum planning process 
Source: ACA. Directory: osg -> spu spu -> Riefing Paper spu -> 3g mobile Policy: The Case of Sweden spu -> The case of ghana spu -> Contents : Introduction Part a the themes spu -> 3g mobile Licensing Policy spu -> Telecom network migration to ip and its impact on the future of telecommunications spu -> Colombia: ip telephony and the Internet spu -> Itu workshop on creating trust in critical network infrastructures spu -> Nternational Download 1.53 Mb. Share with your friends:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||