1. Australian Mobile, Radio &Spectrum Developments since GSC 7/RAST 10 GSC 8, April 2003 Peter Darling (Presented by Grant Symons) International Manager Australian Communications Industry Forum

2. 2 Australian Radio Standardisation Work Work in Australia on radio and spectrum standardisation is split between a number of bodies –ACIF –Standards Australia –The government regulator, the Australian Communications Authority (and its industry-based bodies) This contribution covers this work in some GRSC High Interest areas

3. 3 International Standards The radcom (and telecom) systems used in Australia are generally based on use of international or regional standards In some cases, radcom standards are not directly mandated by the regulator –For example, the owner of a Spectrum Licence is able to use their spectrum in any way, as long as boundary conditions (such as interference to other users) are met –In practice, the spectrum allocated determines the standard e.g for cellular mobile systems GSM in 900 & 1800 MHz, CDMA2000 in 800 MHz This is normal practice in our region, where European and North American standards work side-by-side

4. 4 Mobile Issues (1) Current mobile spectrum usage across Australia is –800 MHzCDMA-One technology One national licence One regional licence in use One regional licence allocated –900 MHzGSM/GPRS technology Three national licences –1800 MHzGSM/GPRS technology Three national licences (paired with 900 MHz licences) One regional licence in use, one regional licence previously used

5. 5 Mobile Issues (2) “3G” spectrum was auctioned in March 2001, and has been be available for use since late 2002 after clearance of previous microwave users. The auction resulted in –Unpaired spectrum4 capital city licences 1900-1920 MHz(each 5 MHz) –Paired spectrum3 national licences 1920-1980 & 2110-2170 in Capital Cities 2 licences covering major cities One successful applicant has recently launched a UMTS system, and another is using 1xRTT technology in association with a CDMAOne system at 800 MHz. Other spectrum owners are delaying launching service.

6. 6 Mobile Issues (3) ACIF has been granted Observer status in 3GPP and 3GPP2, but has not been active. ACIF members are active in the ITU-T and ITU-R work on IMT-2000, as well as ASTAP/APT 3G work Interworking between the different IMT-2000 family members is a matter of future concern, particularly for end-to-end support of non-voice (IP based) services

7. 7 EMC and EMR A companion paper covers recent Australian work on a Human Exposure Standard (EMR) and a related Code of Practice (as well as EMC work) Ref. GSC-8-42

8. 8 Intelligent Transportation Systems ITS Implementation for Electronic Tolling is well advanced in Australia. Further work on ITS in Australia is being undertaken by a committee of Standards Australia (IT-023 Transport Information and Control Systems)

9. 9 Digital Television Australia introduced digital television, starting on 1 January 2001. Government policy provides that: Existing terrestrial broadcasters must provide digital television from 1 January 2001 in metropolitan areas and over a phased period until 1 January 2004 in other areas Broadcasters have been provided additional spectrum to simulcast programs in digital and analogue modes for at least 8 years from the commencement of digital transmissions (at which time analogue services are expected to cease). Broadcasters will be required to offer both high definition digital (HDTV) and standard definition digital (SDTV) broadcasts, but have some restrictions on multi-channeling

10. 10 Digital Television (2) Technical Standards The Australian technical standards for digital TV are based on DVB-T standards, with 7 MHz channel spacing and Dolby AC3 sound Standards AS 4599-1999 and AS4933.1-2000 (from Standards Australia) provide a detailed technical specification of broadcasting and receiver requirements There has been agreement to use the Multimedia Home Platform (MHP) standards for EPG and STB. Market Acceptance Initial sales of domestic digital equipment have been slow, with little additional digital content to drive change and an analogue system generally giving good technical quality.

11. 11 Public Protection and Disaster Relief A companion paper covers recent Australian work in this area Ref. GSC-8-045