Digital Radio BroadcastingACMA’s Role
CBAA Conference24 November 2007
Alastair GellatlyManagerBroadcast Spectrum Strategy SectionSpectrum Planning Branch
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Introduction of DAB digital radio
• ACMA’s main roles– Frequency planning
– Transmitter licensing
• Also– Deeming of licence areas
– Technical planning guidelines
– Declaring start-up day
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Frequency planning• Prepare digital radio channel plans
(DRCPs)– Specify channels to be used
– Specify categories of licence
– Reserves a channel for national broadcasters
• Prepare Frequency Allotment Plan (FAP)• Licence area plans (LAPs) not required
until after moratorium
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DRCP process• Initial DRCPs in 2007
– Need to do quickly
– Main transmitter site only in 9A (12 Hobart)
• Vary DRCPs in 2008 – If further spectrum designated by Minister
– Add spectrum for repeaters
– Review main transmission powers
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Licences for digital radio• New multiplex transmitter licences• No new Broadcasting Services Act
‘service’ licence• Current commercial or community
‘service’ licence is taken to authorise:– Analog radio service and
– One or more digital radio services
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Transmitter licence allocation• ACMA invites licence applications
– 150 days notice (minimum)• Company formation
– Eligible joint venture co. – 120 days (min) notice
– Digital community radio representative co. – 90 days (min) notice
• Invitation notices posted on ACMA website • Issue licence to eligible joint venture co.
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Multiplex transmitter licences• Three categories of digital radio
multiplex transmitter licences– Cat. 1 = Up to 7 commercial, 2 community
– Cat. 2 = Up to 5 commercial, 2 community, 1 ABC and 1 SBS
– Cat. 3 = ABC & SBS only
(Note: share of capacity in ninths)
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Cat.1 multiplex capacity utilisation‘MUX’ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
ADL 1
BRI 1
BRI 2
HOB 1
MEL 1
MEL 2
PER 1
SYD 1
SYD 2
Commercial Excess Community
Each cell is a unit of capacity = 1/9th total capacity
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Project time frames 2007• Time frame is very tight• ACMA will need to complete key tasks in
2007 including:– Determine digital radio channel plans (DRCPs)
– Vary Frequency Allotment Plan (FAP)
– Draft FAP and DRCPs published - 27 Sept 2007
– ‘Final’ DRCPs & FAP - Dec 2007
– Invite licence applications - Dec 2007
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Project time frames 2008• Technical Planning Guidelines
(Jan-May)• Vary DRCPs (possibly Mar-Jun)• Assess licence applications (May)• Issue licences (late May)• Notice of intent to declare start-up day (Nov)
• Declare start-up day (Dec)
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A possible timetableJ A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J
Start-up Day
DRCP
Invite Licence Applications
Submit Access Undertaking
Assess Access Undertaking
Declare Start-up Day
Draft DRCP Issue licences
150 days (min.)
3 months (max.)
ACCC starts early
2008
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Eligibility & deeming• Community radio eligible to
participate if licence area is the same as the commercial licence area– Legislation deemed:
• Hobart RA2 (7THE) & Hobart RA4 (7RP) = Hobart RA1
– ACMA deemed: • NSW Community RA1 (2RPH) = Sydney RA1
• Victorian Community RA1 (3RPH) = Melbourne RA1
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Regional DAB planing• No plans for regional areas at this time
– Minister can determine dates for start up
– Review by 2011 of technologies suitable for regional areas
– Open for licensees to express interest
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ACMA contacts• Web site
– http://tinyurl.com/33xqne
– http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_9191
• Alastair Gellatly– [email protected]
v.au