Improved consumer protection in the telecommunications sector, streamlined commercial TV Codes of Practice, planning for the Internet of Things and 5G mobile broadband were some of the key elements of the year’s work for the Australian Communications and Media Authority, as outlined in the regulator’s annual report for 2015–16, tabled today in parliament.
‘As we move into our second decade and Australians interact with digital communications and content in changing ways, we will continue to work with industry and citizens to solve novel problems and to mitigate new risks,’ said Acting Chairman Richard Bean.
Of interest to radio in the ACMA annual report includes these passages:
The government announced in the 2016–17 Budget that it intends to permanently reduce broadcasting licence fees by 25 per cent and introduce amendments to the Radio Licence Fees Act and the Television Licence Fees Act.
Over the reporting period, the ACMA consulted on variations to nine radio LAPs.
The ACMA is coordinating the necessary planning and approvals to facilitate the conversion of the transmission of commercial radio services from the AM band to the FM band in certain smaller markets where there is a single commercial radio operator.
The AM to FM conversion in these regional areas has the potential to deliver a range of benefits including improved audio quality, reduced signal interference and lower costs for regionalbroadcasters.
The ACMA has been working closely with the radio industry to facilitate the rollout of digital radio into regional areas of Australia. “Following on from the recommendations of the report of a statutory review into digital radio, we established a joint government–industry Digital Radio Planning Committee. The committee has met four times since September 2015. A technical sub-committee has met eight times to undertake the necessary technical work
associated with the expansion of digital radio into regional Australia.
The report of the Spectrum Review was published in May 2015, finding that although the current regulatory framework led the world in market reform of spectrum management over 20 years ago, [but now] a more flexible approach is necessary to meet thechallenges of evolving technology and increasing demand for spectrum access. The ACMA is working closely with DoCA on implementing the recommendations.
The regulator issued 10 infringement notices for radiotransmitter licensing non-compliance, totalling $23,950 and undertook 463 radiocommunications compliance investigations and issuing 375 warning notices.
The full report can be read
here.
