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– alastair.gellatly@acma.go

v.au