The Australian Communications and Media Authority proposes to vary the technical specifications of Lithgow commercial radio services 2LT and 2ICE at Katoomba to improve reception of the services in the Blue Mountains area.

ACMA is seeking comment on the proposals which are contained in an explanatory paper and draft variation to the Lithgow radio licence area plan released today.

‘The proposed changes will enable more people living in the Blue Mountains area to listen to and enjoy the 2LT and 2ICE commercial radio services,’ said Giles Tanner, General Manager, Inputs to Industry Division.

ACMA also proposes to make three channels available for additional ABC radio services in Lithgow, as part of the rollout of ABC services across Australia.

The closing date for comment on the proposals is 15 February 2008. The explanatory paper and draft variation to the licence area plan are available on the ACMA website or by calling 1800 810 241.

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


Backgrounder


A licence area plan determines the number of broadcasting services and their characteristics, such as technical specifications, that are to be available in a defined area of Australia and delivered using the broadcasting services bands.

The draft variation to the Lithgow radio licence area plan proposes that the 2LT translator service in Katoomba convert from AM to FM on 101.1 MHz at a maximum effective radiated power of 1 kW. It also proposes to increase the effective radiated power for the 2ICE translator service in Katoomba, to 1kW.

The draft variation also proposes to make spectrum available for the full range of ABC radio services including ABC Classic FM, 2JJJ and ABC Radio News (incorporating the Parliamentary News Network).

The Australian Broadcasting Authority determined the Lithgow licence area plan in 1997. The plan provided for two commercial radio services to serve Lithgow, 2LT and 2ICE. The ABA varied the Lithgow licence area plan in December 1999 to provide an AM translator in Katoomba for 2LT and an FM translator in Katoomba for 2ICE.

ACMA prepares licence area plans under section 26(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and may vary licence area plans under section 26(2) of the Act.