Press release ACMA

The Australian Communications and Media Authority’s conference on the management of the radiofrequency spectrum, Radcomms08, will be held in Melbourne from Wednesday 30 April to Friday 2 May and promises to offer a unique opportunity to hear the latest developments in spectrum management.

‘ACMA has set itself the task of transforming spectrum management in Australia and sees this annual conference as a very important tool in that process,’ said Giles Tanner, General Manager of ACMA’s Inputs to Industry Division.

‘Highlights will include discussion of an independent report that reviews government spectrum holdings in Australia. ACMA intends releasing the report in April, in advance of the conference. Also in April, ACMA will be releasing a draft of its first spectrum demand analysis and work program, entitled Five-year Spectrum Outlook. The conference will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss and provide initial feedback on the program to ACMA.

‘Other topics of interest include radio and TV digitisation and proposals to replan the 400 MHz land mobile bands to alleviate spectrum shortages experienced by these services in capital cities. More generally, ACMA wants to strike a balance between government and industry perspectives, with the hope that industry will tell us rather than the other way around.’

The three day conference will present an opportunity for the exchange of ideas with radiocommunications professionals from across industry and government. Speakers from both government and industry will cover a wide range of topics and contemporary issues.

As at ACMA’s previous spectrum management conference, RadComms 2006, there will be panel sessions to encourage open discussion on emerging spectrum issues.

Limited spaces are available and early registration is recommended. Registration details are now available on the ACMA website at www.acma.gov.au/radcomms08. Registrations close on 12 April 2008 unless sold out.

For further information about the conference contact Bridget Lally by email at Bridget.Lally@acma.gov.au or telephone on (02) 6219 5203.

Media contact: Donald Robertson, ACMA Media Manager on (02) 9334 7980.



Backgrounder


The Australian Communications and Media Authority recently announced three initiatives to promote increased consultation, transparency and accountability in its radiofrequency spectrum planning and management. Included in the new initiatives is an annual industry radiocommunications conference, ‘RadComms’.

ACMA recognises the benefits of sharing information with key industry stakeholders. Increasingly ACMA is dealing with stakeholders whose main business is not radiocommunications. Establishing and maintaining effective information-sharing arrangements with this wider group of stakeholders is challenging and the annual conference is seen as one way to address the issue.

In a rapidly evolving technological and market environment, ACMA and industry can benefit from a general forum where both it and stakeholders can be informed of developments and issues affecting contemporary and future spectrum management and planning. ACMA has therefore become convinced of the value of holding an annual conference on spectrum matters.

The first RadComms conference was held in December 2006. Based on the success of the 2006 conference ACMA now intends to formalise this and hold an annual three-day RadComms conference to explain its work and, as importantly, to engage the broader constituent of industry and government experts on a regular basis.

The conference will enable participation by a wide range of stakeholders and aims to foster discussion of future trends and spectrum requirements for new services to assist in developing ACMA’s regulatory settings on these issues. A supplement to the annual conference approach will be industry update seminars and workshops on particular topics as they are needed.

ACMA successfully trialled this approach in 2006 when seeking comments on proposals for wireless access services.

Another element of ACMA’s new approach will be the development and regular updating of a Five-year Spectrum Outlook. ACMA aims to release its first draft Five-year Spectrum Outlook before the RadComms08, with a view to it being discussed at the conference.

The spectrum demand analysis and work program will include, as far as is practicable, longer-term projections of spectrum demand (on a band-by-band and by-type-of-service basis). It is intended to give spectrum users the information they need about the pressures on spectrum and the direction of ACMA’s work, so there can be meaningful and mutually beneficial interaction between industry and ACMA.

A cocktail reception on the first night of the conference will provide an opportunity to network with participants from both ACMA and industry. A conference dinner will be held on the second night. For delegates wishing to attend the conference dinner, an additional cost will be charged which includes a three course meal and beverage package.