Nine Regimes of Radio Spectrum Management: A 4-Step Decision Guide

Diverse radio spectrum management regimes are defined according to 4 levels of options: - Should frequencies be allocated according to a harmonised plan? - Should the technologies allowed be standardised? - Should spectrum usage rights be exclusive, eased, or collective? - Should usage rights be assigned through market mechanisms (auctions and trading), administrative procedures, or hybrid procedures? These guidelines propose a balanced set of decision criteria, thus allowing the completion of rigorous impact assessments. It describes the possible regimes resulting from the combined choices. The taxonomy illustrates the possible rationales for a diversity of regimes broader than the usually exposed standard trilogy of Command and Control, Market and Commons: This includes Harmonised neutrality, Administered neutrality, Technology neutrality in Command and Control context, Harmonised neutrality Plus, Private Commons and California Dream. The nine regimes described can also be considered as a map with which to navigate in order to accommodate institutional and technological transitions over time. This allows decision-makers to come-up with informed choices using all the technical information available, and based on definite criteria and a rigorous methodology.radio spectrum;spectrum policy; telecom regulation; spectrum regimes

WRC-07: the Technological and Market Pressures for Flexible Spectrum Access

By examining the preparations for the 2007 ITU World Radio Conference (WRC-07) and associated developments this paper identifies practical examples of the market and technological pressures contributing towards a more liberalised approach to spectrum management. It argues that the need to find new spectrum for advanced mobile services (WRC-07 Agenda item 1.4), the growing orthodoxy on spectrum neutrality and the need to accommodate converging technologies are helping to undermine the stricter forms of command and control spectrum management. However, the need for global harmonisation of satellite frequencies and the international variation in rolling out digital terrestrial television place limits on this drive towards greater flexibility.World Radio Conference; WRC-07; mobile; IMT; IMT-2000; satellite; broadcasting; spectrum liberalisation; mobile TV; DVB-H; WiMAX; technology neutrality; ITU Radio Regulations

The ACMA’s international engagement - regulating in a globalised communications and media environment

The ACMA’s overriding purpose is to make communications and media work in the public interest, and its international engagement is central to achieving this. The role of international engagement in both protecting and promoting Australia’s communications and media interests is reflected in the legislation the ACMA administers - particularly for spectrum management, telecommunications and radiocommunications standards-setting, unsolicited communications and cybersecurity, and online content. These areas of the ACMA’s work span jurisdictional boundaries, often making it necessary to engage with international bodies and overseas regulators to develop effective responses to the challenges they raise. The ACMA and its predecessors have been engaging with overseas organisations and in international fora for many years. However, the continued global integration of communications and media markets and services, and the disruptive impacts of digital technologies is driving the need for greater collaboration and cooperation between countries. The ACMA is one of many communications and media regulators around the world looking to maximise the social and economic benefits of digital technologies through developing best-practice responses to these challenges. International engagement is an important way the ACMA advances policies and programs that will help to reduce harms and promote outcomes in the interests of Australian business and the community. For example, the ACMA’s international engagement aims to prevent cybersecurity threats and unsolicited communications at the source country through entering bilateral and multilateral arrangements to support a safer networked environment. And, along with other international regulators, the ACMA is looking to ensure that sufficient spectrum is available to cater for the expected growth in mobile broadband services through regional and global harmonisation to foster innovation and productivity within the Australian communications sector. Through engaging with overseas regulators and other international bodies, the ACMA can learn from their experiences and enhance its own regulatory practice. In so doing, the ACMA ensures its decisions and approaches reflect world’s best practice, and as an organisation it is well positioned to respond to the pressures and demands of the evolving environment in which it operates

Spectrum review: potential reform directions

The purpose of this review is to ensure Australia\u27s spectrum policy and management framework framework will serve the country well into the future, and to examine what policy and regulatory changes are needed to meet current challenges. Introduction On 23 May 2014 the Minister for Communications, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, announced a review of spectrum policy arrangements. The review is an opportunity to boost innovation and productivity with resulting benefits to the broader community. It is also part of the Government’s commitment to streamlining regulation and cutting red tape. The Department of Communications (the Department) is undertaking the review in conjunction with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Terms of Reference for the review were released with the Minister’s announcement along with an issues paper seeking stakeholder feedback. The review will report to the Minister in early 2015. Implementation of reforms will likely commence in 2015 but the Department is seeking feedback from stakeholders on sequencing and timing. This paper provides context and suggests some reform principles and options for discussion. These have been prepared after consideration of stakeholder feedback on the issues paper. The proposals are not intended to cover the full range of possible reforms and feedback as to amendments or additional proposals is welcome. The proposals do not represent the final views of the Department or the views of the Australian Government

World radiocommunication conference 12 : implications for the spectrum eco-system

Spectrum allocation is once more a key issue facing the global telecommunications industry. Largely overlooked in current debates, however, is the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC). Decisions taken by WRC shape the future roadmap of the telecommunications industry, not least because it has the ability to shape the global spectrum allocation framework. In the debates of WRC-12 it is possible to identify three main issues: enhancement of the international spectrum regulatory framework, regulatory measures required to introduce Cognitive Radio Systems (CRS) technologies; and, additional spectrum allocation to mobile service. WRC-12 eventually decided not to change the current international radio regulations with regard to the first two issues and agreed to the third issue. The main implications of WRC-12 on the spectrum ecosystem are that most of actors are not in support of the concept of spectrum flexibility associated with trading and that the concept of spectrum open access is not under consideration. This is explained by the observation that spectrum trading and spectrum commons weaken state control over spectrum and challenge the main principles and norms of the international spectrum management regime. In addition, the mobile allocation issue has shown the lack of conformity with the main rules of the regime: regional spectrum allocation in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) three regions, and the resistance to the slow decision making procedures. In conclusion, while the rules and decision-making procedures of the international spectrum management regime were challenged in the WRC-12, the main principles and norms are still accepted by the majority of countries