The Australian Communications and Media Authority has released a draft of new Australian Radio Frequency Plan for comment. Geoff Atkinson VK3AFA reports:

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The Australian Communications and Media Authority has released a draft of a new Spectrum Plan for public comment. When completed, the new Spectrum Plan is intended to replace the current Spectrum Plan developed in January 2005.

Go to the ACMA web page to "read all about it", but in brief proposed changes to the plan will provide: Protection of space research activities while allowing the use of new high data-rate meteorology satellite services; Upgrade of the radiolocation service to primary and allocating additional spectrum to the existing space research activities; Sharing between the mobile-satellite service and space research services and between the mobile-satellite service and mobile service; Improvements to the satellite coordination and notification procedures; Spectrum harmonization between space services and future terrestrial services. Sharing arrangements between the fixed service and satellite systems using highly inclined orbits; and Spectrum compatibility between the radio astronomy service and the active space services.

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The ACMA continues to consider opening up some, or all, of the 440-450MHz band for the land mobile service.

Both the Wireless Institute of Australia and the Department of Defence oppose such a move.

They have also rejected the ACMA’s statement that 440-450MHz has a relatively limited use by both the Amateur Service and Defence.