Spectrum reform legislative proposals consultation

In 2015 the Government agreed to implement the recommendations of the Spectrum Review. One of these recommendations was to replace the current legislative arrangements with new legislation that removed prescriptive process and streamlines licensing, for a simpler and more flexible framework.

The Government has released a Legislative Proposals Consultation Paper on its proposed approach to the Radiocommunications Bill 2016.

The new legislation seeks to make Australia’s spectrum framework simpler, more efficient and flexible to use and better support innovative communication technologies and services.

The proposed approach in preparing draft legislation is to:

• simplify regulatory structures for planning, licensing and equipment regulation;
• streamline regulatory processes, particularly for allocating licences;
• clarify the role for Government, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and spectrum users;
• bring broadcasting spectrum into the general spectrum framework while also providing certainty for the broadcasting sector; and
• provide for graduated and proportionate enforcement and compliance tools.