Australia’s super telecommunications regulator has been born. As of today, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is responsible for regulating broadcasting, radiocommunications, telecommunications and online content and comes into existence out of the merger of two former bodies, the ABA and ACA.
ACMA will promote self regulation and competition in the telecommunications industry, while protecting consumers and other users. It also aims to foster an environment in which electronic media respect community standards and respond to audience and user needs.
ACMA will also manage access to the radio frequency spectrum, including the broadcasting services bands. This combined role allows one body to regulate both off-band and on-band AM and FM stations, functions which had previously been divided between the Australian Communications Authority and Australian Broadcasting Authority.
Internet regulation also comes within the responsibilities of ACMA, allowing it to consider digital broadcasting from a much wider angle.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is also expected to take a greater role in defining markets in the communications sector in conjunction with ACMA.
ACMA has re-badged former ABA and ACA offices around the country in the past few weeks, as it has managed the transition to the newly merged organisation. Insiders say the transition has been orderly and staff have generally approached the merger positively. Both the ABA and ACA recommended they merge, so that they are better able to deal with the fast moving world of converged media, which often crosses the antiquated artificial boundaries, imposed upon the former organisations by historical legacy.
The new body will work with industry to ensure “a regulatory approach that fosters self regulation, provides benefits to end users and contributes to an efficient and competitive communications sector.”
ACMA will administer the technical standards compliance regime for electromagnetic compatibility, radiocommunications, electromagnetic radiation and telecommunications. The organisation also supports a full range of radiocommunications services through radiocommunications licensing.
Working closely with industry, ACMA will develop technical standards for customer equipment including that associated with new technologies. Labelling requirements make compliance with technical standards mandatory for manufacturers and importers of customer equipment.
ACMA is also responsible for the regulation of customer cabling, overseeing the industry managed cabling registration scheme and monitoring and enforcing compliance with cabling regulatory requirements.
The ACMA Board has seven members – three full time, including the Chair and Deputy Chair, and four part time members.
Outgoing ABA chief, Lyn Maddock, has become the ACMA Deputy Chairperson and is acting in the role of Chair until a permanent appointment is named.
Other board members are Chris Cheah, who has been appointed as a full time Board member, plus part time members, Rod Shogren, Professor Gerard Anderson, Malcolm Long and Johanna Plante.
In keeping with recent Federal Government guidelines on logo standardisation, the new body is saddled with the uninspiring ‘commonwealth crest’ logo seen above.
ACMA’s new website has just gone live. Click below to view.