Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2000

as amended

made under

section 64 (1) of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 and sections 5, 7 (1) (a) and (b), 10A (1), 16 (1) (ca), 30 (1), 32 (1), 34 (1), 98 (1), 107 (1) (f), 108A (1) (e), 115 (1), 119, 131AC (1), 132 (1), 134, 144 (1) (c), (d) and (e), 147 (1) (c), (d) and (e) and 300 (1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992

This compilation was prepared on 20 December 2008
taking into account amendments up to Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Amendment Determination 2008 (No. 1)

Prepared by the Office of Legislative Drafting and Publishing,
Attorney‑General’s Department, Canberra

Contents

 1 Name of Determination [see Note 1]

 2 Commencement [see Note 1]

 3 Definitions — the dictionary etc 

 4 Definition — instruments made under the Radiocommunications Act 1992

 5 Interpretation — references to definitions determination 

 6 Interpretation — frequency bands and ranges 

 7 Interpretation — references to spectrum plans 

Schedule 1 Dictionary 

Notes   

1 Name of Determination [see Note 1]

  This Determination is the Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2000.

2 Commencement [see Note 1]

  This Determination commences on gazettal.

3 Definitions — the dictionary etc

 (1) The dictionary in Schedule 1 defines certain expressions.

 (2) Unless the contrary intention appears, the definition of an expression in the dictionary applies to each use of that expression in this Determination and in:

 (a) a determination made under any of the following provisions:

 (i)  subsection 53 (1) of the Australian Communications Authority Act 1997;

 (ii) section 5, paragraph 7 (1) (a) or (b), subsection 10A (1), paragraph 16 (1) (ca), subsection 98 (1), paragraph 107 (1) (f) or 108A (1) (e), subsection 115 (1), section 119, subsection 131AC (1), paragraph 144 (1) (c), (d) or (e) or 147 (1) (c), (d) or (e) or subsection 300 (1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992;

 (iii) subsection 7 (1) of the Radiocommunications (Receiver Licence Tax) Act 1983;

 (iv) subsection 7 (1) of the Radiocommunications (Spectrum Licence Tax) Act 1997;

 (v) subsection 7 (1) of the Radiocommunications (Transmitter Licence Tax) Act 1983; or

 (b) a spectrum plan prepared under subsection 30 (1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992; or

 (c) a frequency band plan prepared under subsection 32 (1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992; or

 (d) a spectrum plan or frequency band plan variation made under subsection 34 (1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992; or

 (e) a class licence issued under subsection 132 (1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992; or

 (f) a class licence variation made under section 134 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

Note   Definitions of the following expressions are included in section 5 of the Act: ACA; aircraft; device; frequency band; frequency band plan; radiocommunication; radiocommunications device; radiocommunications receiver; radiocommunications transmitter; radio emission; reception; space object; spectrum plan; transmitter; transmitter licence.

4 Definition — instruments made under the Radiocommunications Act 1992

  Unless the contrary intention appears, in this Determination, in all other Determinations made under section 5, paragraph 7 (1) (a) or (b), subsection 10A (1), paragraph 16 (1) (ca), subsection 98 (1), paragraph 107 (1) (f) or 108A (1) (e), subsection 115 (1), section 119, subsection 131AC (1), paragraph 144 (1) (c), (d) or (e) or 147 (1) (c), (d) or (e) or subsection 300 (1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992, in all spectrum plans prepared under subsection 30 (1), or varied under subsection 34 (1), of that Act, in all frequency band plans prepared under subsection 32 (1), or varied under subsection 34 (1), of that Act, in all class licences issued under subsection 132 (1), or varied under section 134, of that Act:

Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1992.

5 Interpretation — references to definitions determination

  Unless the contrary intention appears, in all Determinations made under subsection 53 (1) of the Australian Communications Authority Act 1997 or section 5, paragraph 7 (1) (a) or (b), subsection 10A (1), paragraph 16 (1) (ca), subsection 98 (1), paragraph 107 (1) (f) or 108A (1) (e), subsection 115 (1) or 131AC (1), paragraph 144 (1) (c), (d) or (e) or 147 (1) (c), (d) or (e) or subsection 300 (1) of the Act, subsection 7 (1) of the Radiocommunications (Receiver Licence Tax) Act 1983, subsection 7 (1) of the Radiocommunications (Spectrum Licence Tax) Act 1997 or subsection 7 (1) of the Radiocommunications (Transmitter Licence Tax) Act 1983, in all class licences issued under subsection 132 (1), or varied under section 134, of the Act, a reference to Radiocommunications (Definitions) Determination No. 2 of 1993, Radiocommunications (Definitions) Determination 1993 (No. 2) or Radiocommunications (Definitions) Determination 2000 is a reference to this Determination.

6 Interpretation — frequency bands and ranges

  For the purposes of this Determination, a frequency band or a frequency range described in the dictionary in Schedule 1 using 2 frequencies starts immediately above the lower frequency and ends at the higher frequency.

7 Interpretation — references to spectrum plans

  Unless the contrary intention appears, in this Determination, in all other Determinations made under section 5, paragraph 7 (1) (a) or (b), subsection 10A (1), paragraph 16 (1) (ca), subsection 98 (1), paragraph 107 (1) (f) or 108A (1) (e), subsection 115 (1) or 131AC (1), paragraph 144 (1) (c), (d) or (e) or 147 (1) (c), (d) or (e) or subsection 300 (1) of the Act, in all class licences issued under subsection 132 (1), or varied under section 134, of the Act, a reference to a spectrum plan, however described, is a reference to the spectrum plan in force from time to time under the Act.

Schedule 1 Dictionary

(section 3)

900 MHz studio to transmitter link station means a point to point station that:

 (a) is operated only within a frequency range greater than 820 MHz and less than or equal to 960 MHz; and

 (b) transmits sound broadcasting program material from a broadcasting studio to a broadcasting transmitter.

aeronautical assigned station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under an aeronautical licence; and

 (b) is operated on aeronautical frequencies specified in the transmitter licence that relates to the station.

aeronautical frequencies has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

aeronautical licence means a licence issued for a station that:

 (a) is not fixed to an aircraft; and

 (b) is operated on aeronautical frequencies; and

 (c) is operated for purposes relating to:

 (i) the operation of an aircraft; or

 (ii) airport or aerodrome operations; and

 (d) in relation to an aircraft — includes a mobile station operated:

 (i) on board the aircraft; or

 (ii) on the ground in communication with the aircraft.

aeronautical mobile‑satellite frequencies has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

aeronautical mobile‑satellite service has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

aeronautical mobile service has the meaning it has in the spectrum plan.

aeronautical non assigned station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under an aeronautical licence; and

 (b) is operated:

 (i) on aeronautical frequencies on a non assigned basis; or

 (ii) on frequencies specified for the operation of aeronautical non assigned stations in a determination made under paragraph 107 (1) (f) of the Act.

aeronautical station means a station in the aeronautical mobile service and does not include an earth station.

aids to navigation station (AtoN station) means a station, other than a mobile station, that operates on a frequency allocated for Automatic Identification System (AIS) and is designed and operated to enhance the safe and efficient navigation of vessels.

aircraft assigned station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under an aircraft licence; and

 (b) is operated on aeronautical frequencies specified in the transmitter licence that relates to the station.

aircraft licence means a licence issued for a station that:

 (a) is fixed on board an aircraft; and

 (b) is operated on aeronautical frequencies; and

 (c) may be operated on aeronautical mobile‑satellite frequencies or radiodetermination frequencies.

aircraft non assigned station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under an aircraft licence; and

 (b) is operated:

 (i) on aeronautical frequencies on a non assigned basis; or

 (ii) on frequencies specified for the operation of aircraft non assigned stations in a determination made under paragraph 107 (1) (f) of the Act.

aircraft station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

AIS‑SART (Automatic Identification System – Search and Rescue Transmitter) means an Automatic Identification System (AIS) that is:

 (a) used for search and rescue purposes; and

 (b) if published — complies with International Standard IEC 61097‑14, Global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) – Part 14: AIS search
and rescue transmitter (AIS‑SART) – Operational and performance requirements, methods of testing and required test results, as published by the International Electrotechnical Commission and as in force from time to time.

AM means amplitude modulation employing double sideband transmission without the carrier or the lower or upper sideband being suppressed.

amateur advanced station means an amateur station where the holder of the transmitter licence that relates to the station is a person:

 (a) to whom:

 (i) a certificate of proficiency has been granted in relation to the Advanced Amateur Operator’s Examination, which is a category of approved examination for the purposes of subsection 122 (2) of the Act; or

 (ii) a certificate of proficiency has been granted in relation to the Unrestricted Amateur Operator’s Examination, which is a category of approved examination for the purposes of subsection 122 (2) of the Act; or

 (iii) a certificate of proficiency has been granted in relation to the Limited Amateur Operator’s Examination, which is a category of approved examination for the purposes of subsection 122 (2) of the Act; or

 (b) who holds an equivalent overseas qualification for the purposes of the Radiocommunications (Qualified Operators) Determination 2005.

amateur beacon station means a station in the amateur service that is used principally for the purpose of identifying propagation conditions.

amateur foundation station means an amateur station where the holder of the transmitter licence that relates to the station is a person:

 (a) to whom a certificate of proficiency has been granted in relation to the Foundation Amateur Operator’s Examination, which is a category of approved examination for the purposes of subsection 122 (2) of the Act; or

 (b) who holds an equivalent overseas qualification for the purposes of the Radiocommunications (Qualified Operators) Determination 2005.

amateur frequencies has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

amateur intermediate station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

amateur licence means a licence issued for a station that:

 (a) is operated for the purposes of self‑training in radiocommunications, intercommunication using radiocommunications and technical investigation into radiocommunications by persons:

 (i) who do so solely with a personal aim; and

 (ii) who have no pecuniary interest in the outcome of the operations of the station; and

 (b) is operated on amateur frequencies or amateur frequency bands; and

 (c) may participate in the amateur‑satellite service.

amateur limited station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

amateur novice limited station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

amateur novice station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

amateur repeater station means a station established at a fixed location:

 (a) for the reception of radio signals from amateur stations; and

 (b) for the automatic retransmission of those signals by radio.

amateur‑satellite service has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

amateur service has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

amateur standard station means an amateur station where the holder of the transmitter licence that relates to the station is a person:

 (a) to whom:

 (i) a certificate of proficiency has been granted in relation to the Standard Amateur Operator’s Examination, which is a category of approved examination for the purposes of subsection 122 (2) of the Act; or

 (ii) a certificate of proficiency has been granted in relation to the Novice Amateur Operator’s Examination, which is a category of approved examination for the purposes of subsection 122 (2) of the Act; or

 (iii) a certificate of proficiency has been granted in relation to the Novice Limited Amateur Operator’s Examination, which is a category of approved examination for the purposes of subsection 122 (2) of the Act; or

 (b) who holds an equivalent overseas qualification for the purposes of the Radiocommunications (Qualified Operators) Determination 2005.

amateur station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

amateur unrestricted station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

ambulatory station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

ambulatory system means a system comprising 1 or more land mobile stations that:

 (a) are operated under a land mobile licence; and

 (b) are operated principally for communications with other land mobile stations; and

 (c) if permitted by the land mobile licence — may communicate with:

 (i) an aircraft station, but not on an aeronautical frequency; or

 (ii) a maritime ship station, but not on a maritime frequency.

ambulatory system station means an ambulatory station that is operated within an ambulatory system.

assigned basis, in relation to a licence, means circumstances in which 1 or more frequencies specified in the licence have been specifically selected for use under that licence.

Automatic Identification System (AIS) means a station that operates on either of the following frequencies:

 (a) 161.975 MHz;

 (b) 162.025 MHz.

broadcasting licence means a licence issued for a radiocommunications service comprising 1 or more stations that:

 (a) are operated for the purposes of delivering, by means other than by satellite, television programs or radio programs to persons having equipment appropriate for receiving the service, if the service is not:

 (i) a service (including a teletext service) that provides no more than data, or no more than text and, in either case, is provided with or without associated images; or

 (ii) a service that makes a program available on demand on a point‑to‑point basis, including a dial‑up service; or

 (iii) a service that the Minister determines by notice in the Gazette not to be a broadcasting service within the meaning of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992; and

 (b) may be operated for engineering tests if each station is intended to be used for the purpose of transmitting a service to which paragraph (a) applies.

broadcasting services bands has the meaning it has in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.

broadcast service station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under a broadcasting licence; and

 (b) is operated for the purposes of providing:

 (i) commercial broadcasting services, within the meaning of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992; or

 (ii) national broadcasting services, within the meaning of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992; or

 (iii) community broadcasting services, within the meaning of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, provided under a community broadcasting licence allocated under Part 6 of that Act; or

 (iv) community broadcasting services, within the meaning of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, provided under a temporary community broadcasting licence allocated under Part 6A of that Act; and

 (c) is operated only in the broadcasting services bands.

carriage service means a service for carrying communications by means of:

 (a) guided electromagnetic energy; or

 (b) unguided electromagnetic energy; or

 (c) guided and unguided electromagnetic energy.

carriage service provider has the meaning it has in the Telecommunications Act 1997.

carrier has the meaning it has in the Telecommunications Act 1997.

carrier licence has the meaning it has in the Telecommunications Act 1997.

CBRS repeater station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under a land mobile licence; and

 (b) is established at a fixed location for the reception and automatic retransmission of radio signals from CB stations.

CB station has the meaning it has in the Citizen Band Radio Stations Class Licence.

cellular mobile telephone service means a radiocommunications service consisting of:

 (a) 1 or more handsets; and

 (b) 2 or more base stations forming part of a public mobile telephone service where the area serviced by each base station (cell) is restricted; and

 (c) 1 or more stations (mobile switching centres) that are able to communicate by means of radiocommunications with, or are connected by a line to, 2 or more base stations and a public telephone network:

being a service where:

 (d) the operator of a handset may communicate with another user of the public telephone network by means of radio signals between the handset and a base station; and

 (e) as the operator of the handset moves from the cell of 1 base station into the cell of an adjoining base station, a mobile switching centre redirects the signals from the handset so that the signals that would otherwise have been channelled through the first‑mentioned base station are channelled through the adjoining base station.

communal site means a place used by transmitters operating within 200 metres of each other, for which more than 2 fixed transmitter frequencies are assigned within one of the following frequency bands:

 (a) 30 megahertz to 300 megahertz band;

 (b) 300 megahertz to 3000 megahertz band;

 (c) 3 gigahertz to 30 gigahertz band;

 (d) 30 gigahertz to 300 gigahertz band.

Note   In practice most sites within metropolitan areas are communal sites.

communication includes communication:

 (a) between:

 (i) persons; or

 (ii) things; or

 (iii) persons and things; and

 (b) in any form, or combination of forms, including the following:

 (i) speech, music or other sounds;

 (ii) data;

 (iii) text;

 (iv) visual images, whether or not animated;

 (v) signals.

connected has the meaning it has in the Telecommunications Act 1997.

cordless telephone service means a radiocommunications service that:

 (a) consists of one or more land stations, each of which:

 (i) does not form part of a cellular mobile telephone service; and

 (ii) is able to communicate by means of radiocommunications with, or is connected indirectly or directly to, a telecommunications network operated by a carrier or a carriage service provider; and

 (b) may consist of one or more handsets, each of which:

 (i) is not connected by a line to a land station; and

 (ii) enables communication with other users of the public telecommunications network through transmission of radio signals between the handset and the land station.

COSPAS‑SARSAT System means a satellite aided search and rescue system designed to locate activated radiocommunications devices that transmit:

 (a) until 31 January 2009 — on the following frequencies or frequency range:

 (i) 121.5 MHz;

 (ii) 243.0 MHz;

 (iii) 406 – 406.1 MHz; and

 (b) on and after 1 February 2009 — on the frequency range 406 – 406.1 MHz.

datacasting licence means a licence issued for a radiocommunications service comprising one or more stations that are operated for the purpose of delivering a datacasting service by means other than satellite.

datacasting service station means a station operated for the purpose of providing a datacasting service in the broadcasting services bands only.

defence licence means an apparatus licence that authorises the operation of a defence station.

defence receive licence means an apparatus licence that authorises the operation of a defence receive station.

defence receive station means a defence station that is not capable of transmitting messages of any kind.

defence station means a station that is operated principally for the purposes of defence, and:

 (a) is operated within a frequency band mentioned in a cell, in column 2 of the Table of Frequency Allocations in Part 2 of the spectrum plan, in which the Australian footnote reference AUS1 appears; or

 (b) is operated within a frequency band mentioned in Part 3 of the spectrum plan opposite the Australian footnote reference AUS9; or

 (c) is operated:

 (i) within a frequency band mentioned in a cell, in column 2 of the Table of Frequency Allocations in Part 2 of the spectrum plan, in which the Australian footnote reference AUS11 appears; and

 (ii) for the service to which that footnote reference applies; or

 (d) is operated:

 (i) within a frequency band mentioned in Part 3 of the spectrum plan opposite the Australian footnote reference AUS64; and

 (ii) in the way mentioned in Australian footnote reference AUS64, that is:

 (A) using spread spectrum modulation; and

 (B) without causing harmful interference to stations of other services operating in accordance with the spectrum plan or the Radio Regulations.

earth licence means an apparatus licence that authorises the operation of an earth station.

earth receive licence means an apparatus licence that authorises the operation of an earth receive station.

earth receive station means a radiocommunications receiver that:

 (a) is not located on a space object; and

 (b) is used to receive radio emissions from:

 (i) a space object; or

 (ii) an earth station by way of a space object.

earth station means a radiocommunications transmitter that:

 (a) is not located on a space object; and

 (b) is used to transmit radio emissions to:

 (i) a space object; or

 (ii) an earth receive station by way of a space object.

EIRP, in relation to a radiocommunications device, means the Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power of the device.

emergency location beacon means a mobile station the emissions of which are intended to facilitate search and rescue operations.

emergency position indicating radio beacon, and EPIRB, mean a mobile station the emissions of which are intended to facilitate search and rescue operations.

emergency signal means:

 (a) a request for assistance; or

 (b) a signal of distress; or

 (c) a message that is related to a request for assistance or a signal of distress.

exterior paging means one‑way communication to a paging receiver, other than one‑way communication within premises or a restricted area.

fixed earth station means an earth station that is operating in the fixed‑satellite service.

fixed licence means a licence issued for 1 or more stations that:

 (a) are located principally:

 (i) at fixed points specified in the transmitter licence that relates to the station; or

 (ii) in an area specified in the licence; and

 (b) are operated principally for communications with stations located:

 (i) at 1 or more other fixed points specified in the licence; or

 (ii) in an area specified in the licence; and

 (c) if permitted by the transmitter licence that relates to the station, may communicate with:

 (i) an aircraft station, but not on an aeronautical frequency; and

 (ii) a ship station, but not on a maritime frequency; and

 (iii) a land mobile station, but not on a land mobile frequency.

fixed outpost station means an outpost station at a fixed point.

fixed receive licence means a licence issued for 1 or more fixed stations:

 (a) that are used only for receiving messages; and

 (b) that are not capable of transmitting messages of any kind; and

 (c) for which the ACA, or a person accredited under section 263 of the Act, undertakes coordination procedures for the purpose of minimising interference to reception.

fixed receive station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

fixed‑satellite service has the meaning it has in the spectrum plan.

fixed station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

FM means frequency modulation.

GMDSS means Global Maritime Distress and Safety System.

harmful interference has the meaning it has in the spectrum plan.

HF Domestic Service station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under a broadcasting licence; and

 (b) provides a broadcasting service targeted to audiences in Australia; and

 (c) operates in the frequency range 2.3 MHz–26.1 MHz.

Note   Under the Radiocommunications Act, Australia includes the external Territories.

HF Overseas Service station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under a broadcasting licence; and

 (b) provides a broadcasting service targeted to audiences outside Australia; and

 (c) operates in the frequency range 5.9 MHz–26.1 MHz.

Note   Under the Radiocommunications Act, Australia includes the external Territories.

HF Overseas (IBL) Service station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under a broadcasting licence; and

 (b) provides an international broadcasting service within the meaning of section 18A of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992; and

 (c) operates in the frequency range 5.9 MHz–26.1 MHz.

Note   Under the Radiocommunications Act, Australia includes the external Territories.

high frequency, and HF, mean a frequency that exceeds 3 megahertz but does not exceed 30 megahertz.

interior paging means communication with a paging receiver or a mobile station, within premises or a restricted area.

land mobile frequency has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

land mobile licence means a licence issued for a radiocommunications service that:

 (a) comprises 1 or more land stations or land mobile stations; and

 (b) is used for communications between:

 (i) land stations and land mobile stations; or

 (ii) land mobile stations; or

 (iii) land mobile stations through another land station; or

 (iv) land stations through another land station; and

 (c) may communicate with:

 (i) an aircraft station, but not on an aeronautical frequency; or

 (ii) a maritime ship station, but not on a maritime frequency.

land mobile service has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

land mobile station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

land mobile system means a system comprising 1 or more land stations, and 1 or more land mobile stations, that:

 (a) are operated under a land mobile licence; and

 (b) are established for the principal purpose of two way communications.

land mobile system station means a land station, or a land mobile station, that is operated as part of a land mobile system.

land station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

limited coast assigned system means a system, comprising a maritime coast station and 1 or more maritime ship stations, that:

 (a) is operated under a maritime coast licence (whether or not the licence authorises operation of an AIS station, and, if so, whether or not the system includes 1 or more AIS aids to navigation stations); and

 (b) is operated on maritime frequencies specified in the transmitter licence that relates to the station; and

 (c) is operated principally for communication between the maritime coast station and the maritime ship station or stations.

limited coast assigned system station means a station that is operated as part of a limited coast assigned system.

limited coast marine rescue station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

limited coast non assigned station means a maritime coast station that:

 (a) is operated under a maritime coast licence; and

 (b) is operated:

 (i) on maritime frequencies on a non assigned basis; or

 (ii) on frequencies specified for the operation of limited coast non assigned stations in a determination made under paragraph 107 (1) (f) of the Act; and

 (c) is not used to transmit, or receive, public correspondence.

low duty cycle speech, in relation to a station, means that the station transmits for less than 30 minutes a day on not more than 26 days in any period of 12 months.

lower sideband, and LSB, mean an SSB radio emission of which the sideband above the carrier is suppressed.

major coast A station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under a maritime coast licence; and

 (b) is operated on maritime frequencies specified in the transmitter licence that relates to the station; and

 (c) is operated on land principally for transmitting messages to, and receiving messages from, a maritime ship station; and

 (d) may be used to transmit public correspondence to, or receive public correspondence from, a maritime ship station.

major coast B station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under a maritime coast licence; and

 (b) is operated on maritime frequencies specified in the transmitter licence that relates to the station; and

 (c) is operated on land principally for transmitting messages to, and receiving messages from, a maritime ship station; and

 (d) may be used to transmit public correspondence to, or receive public correspondence from, any of the following:

 (i) a station on an aircraft that is not an aircraft station;

 (ii) a land mobile station;

 (iii) a remotely located land station;

 (iv) a maritime ship station.

major coast receive licence means a licence issued for 1 or more stations:

 (a) that are used on land principally for receiving messages transmitted by maritime ship stations; and

 (b) that are not capable of transmitting messages of any kind; and

 (c) that may be used for receiving messages transmitted by:

 (i) a station on an aircraft that is not an aircraft station; and

 (ii) land mobile stations; and

 (iii) remotely located land stations; and

 (d) for which the ACA, or a person accredited under section 263 of the Act, undertakes coordination procedures for the purpose of minimising interference to reception.

major coast receive station means a station:

 (a) that is used on land principally for receiving messages transmitted by a maritime ship station; and

 (b) that is not capable of transmitting messages of any kind; and

 (c) that may be used for receiving messages transmitted by any of the following:

 (i) a station on an aircraft that is not an aircraft station;

 (ii) a land mobile station;

 (iii) a remotely located land station; and

 (d) for which the ACA, or a person accredited under section 263 of the Act, undertakes coordination procedures for the purpose of minimising interference to reception.

maritime coast licence means a licence issued for 1 or more stations that:

 (a) are operated on land principally for transmitting messages to, and receiving messages from, a maritime ship station; and

 (b) may communicate with any of the following:

 (i) a station on an aircraft that is not an aircraft station;

 (ii) a land mobile station;

 (iii) a remotely located land station; and

 (c) are operated on maritime frequencies.

maritime coast station means a station that:

 (a) is operated on land principally for transmitting messages to, and receiving messages from, a maritime ship station; and

 (b) may communicate with any of the following:

 (i) a station on an aircraft that is not an aircraft station;

 (ii) a land mobile station;

 (iii) a remotely located land station; and

 (c) is operated on maritime frequencies.

maritime frequencies has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

maritime mobile‑satellite frequencies means frequencies specified in the spectrum plan that may be used for the purposes of maritime mobile‑satellite services.

maritime mobile‑satellite service has the meaning it has in the spectrum plan.

maritime mobile service has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

maritime ship licence means a licence issued for a station that:

 (a) is operated on board a ship for communicating with:

 (i) maritime coast stations; or

 (ii) on‑board communication stations associated with the maritime ship station, whether or not those stations are operated on board ships; and

 (b) may include equipment that is in a survival craft of the ship; and

 (c) may include a mobile earth station on board the ship; and

 (d) operates on maritime frequencies; and

 (e) operates on maritime mobile‑satellite frequencies or radiodetermination frequencies.

maritime ship station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

MDS licence means a licence that authorises the operation of:

 (a) 1 or more stations that, using a single frequency and an occupied bandwidth exceeding 4 megahertz, transmit to at least 4 multipoint distribution station receivers; and

 (b) 1 or more multipoint distribution repeater stations using a frequency or frequencies in the 2076–2111 MHz or 2300–2400 MHz band.

medium frequency, and MF, mean a frequency that exceeds 300 kilohertz but does not exceed 3 megahertz.

message has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

mobile earth station means an earth station that is operating in the mobile‑satellite service.

mobile outpost station means an outpost station that is established for use:

 (a) while the station is in motion; or

 (b) during halts at unspecified points on land, on water or in the air.

mobile‑satellite service has the meaning it has in the spectrum plan.

mobile station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

multipoint distribution repeater station means a station that is used:

 (a) for the reception of radio transmissions from a multipoint distribution station; and

 (b) for the automatic retransmission of those transmissions to multipoint distribution station receivers.

multipoint distribution station, and MDS, mean a station that, using a single frequency and an occupied bandwidth exceeding 4 megahertz, transmits to at least 4 multipoint distribution station receivers.

multipoint distribution station receiver means a station:

 (a) established solely for the reception of radio transmissions from a multipoint distribution station or a multipoint distribution repeater station; and

 (b) that uses a single frequency and an occupied bandwidth exceeding 4 megahertz.

narrowband area receiver means a station:

 (a) established solely for the reception of radio transmissions from a narrowband area service station; and

 (b) that uses a single frequency and an occupied bandwidth not exceeding 4 megahertz.

narrowband area service station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under a broadcasting licence; and

 (b) provides one‑way radio transmission to not less than 4 narrowband area receivers; and

 (c) uses an occupied bandwidth not exceeding 4 megahertz; and

 (d) is not operated in the broadcasting services bands.

narrowcasting service station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under a broadcasting licence; and

 (b) provides an open narrowcasting or a subscription narrowcasting service; and

 (c) operates only in the broadcasting services bands.

necessary bandwidth has the meaning it has in the Radio Regulations.

non assigned basis, for a licence to operate a station, means the basis on which a station operates on frequencies, where the ACA has not specified the operating frequencies for the station in the transmitter licence that relates to the station.

open narrowcasting service has the meaning it has in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.

out‑of‑band emission has the meaning it has in the Radio Regulations.

outpost assigned station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under an outpost licence; and

 (b) is operated on frequencies specified in the transmitter licence that relates to the station; and

 (c) is established for the transmission and reception of messages to and from fixed and mobile outpost stations.

outpost licence means a licence issued for an outpost station.

outpost non assigned station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under an outpost licence; and

 (b) is operated:

 (i) on a non assigned basis; or

 (ii) on frequencies specified for the operation of outpost non assigned stations in a determination made under paragraph 107 (1) (f) of the Act.

outpost station means a station operating in the MF and HF bands that is principally established:

 (a) to provide radiocommunications in a remote locality at which a connection to a telecommunications network operated by a carrier or carriage service provider is not provided; or

 (b) if a connection to a telecommunications network operated by a carrier or carriage service provider is provided at the remote locality where the station is situated — to provide radiocommunications in the locality for the purposes of an emergency that involves:

 (i) prejudice to the security or defence of Australia; or

 (ii) a serious threat to the environment; or

 (iii) risk of injury to, or death of, a person; or

 (iv) risk of damage to, or substantial loss of, property.

Note 1   The MF band is broadly defined as 300 kHz to 3 MHz: see Volume 1 of the International Telecommunication Union Radio Regulations published by the ITU, as in force from time to time.

Note 2   The HF band is broadly defined as 3 MHz to 30 MHz: see Volume 1 of the International Telecommunication Union Radio Regulations published by the ITU, as in force from time to time.

PABX cordless telephone service means a service that:

 (a) consists of 1 or more land stations used in conjunction with a PABX; and

 (b) if the service has more than 1 land station — has land stations sited so that the distance between any 2 land stations does not exceed 2 kilometres; and

 (c) operates in the frequency band from 857 megahertz to 861 megahertz.

paging receiver means a radiocommunications receiver used in a paging system, being a receiver that:

 (a) has an integral antenna; and

 (b) is usually capable of being carried on the person.

paging system means a system:

 (a) that uses only paging technology; and

 (b) comprising 1 or more stations that:

 (i) are operated under a land mobile licence or a fixed licence; and

 (ii) in an exterior paging application, comprise:

 (A) a land station established for the purpose of one‑way communication to 1 or more paging receivers; and

 (B) 1 or more land stations that are used solely to improve service reliability within a 40 kilometre radius of the station mentioned in sub‑subparagraph (A); and

 (iii) in an interior paging application:

 (A) are used for communications with 1 or more paging receivers; and

 (B) if permitted by the licence, may communicate with a mobile station that uses an interior paging talkback channel (within the meaning of section 3 of the VHF High Band Frequency Band Plan (148 to 174 MHz) 1991) to acknowledge receipt of a paging transmission; and

 (C) are located within premises or restricted areas.

Note   Section 9 of the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Land Mobile Licence) Determination No. 1 of 1997 provides for conditions for the operation of an interior paging system for talkback.

paging system station means a station that is operated as part of a paging system.

PMTS Class A means a Public Mobile Telecommunications Service Class A, being a service that consists of 2 or more land stations that are operated:

 (a) under a PTS licence; and

 (b) by a person who:

 (i) holds a carrier licence; or

 (ii) is declared by the ACA to be a nominated carrier under section 81 of the Telecommunications Act 1997; and

 (c) for providing a public mobile telecommunications service; and

 (d) on a frequency or frequencies in the range 870 megahertz to 890 megahertz; and

 (e) if using AMPS technology, in accordance with an agreement that applies in an external Territory made under section 362 of the Telecommunications Act 1997.

PMTS Class B means a Public Mobile Telecommunications Service Class B, being a service that consists of 2 or more land stations that are:

 (a) operated under a PTS licence; and

 (b) operated by a person who holds a carrier licence; and

 (c) operated for providing a public mobile telecommunications service; and

 (d) operated on a frequency or frequencies in the range:

 (i) 890 megahertz to 915 megahertz; or

 (ii) 935 megahertz to 960 megahertz; or

 (iii) 1710 megahertz to 1725 megahertz; or

 (iv) 1805 megahertz to 1820 megahertz.

point to multipoint station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under a fixed licence; and

 (b) is operated principally for communication with more than 1 other fixed station; and

 (c) is operated on frequencies specified in the transmitter licence that relates to the station.

point to point (5.8 GHz band) station means a point to point station that is operated only within the frequency range greater than 5.725 GHz and less than or equal to 5.825 GHz.

point to point (self‑coordinated) station means a self‑coordinated point to point station that is operated only within 1 of the following frequency ranges:

 (a) the frequency range greater than 57.2 gigahertz and less than or equal to 58.2 gigahertz;

 (b) the frequency range greater than 71 gigahertz and less than or equal to 76 gigahertz;

 (c) the frequency range greater than 81 gigahertz and less than or equal to 86 gigahertz.

point to point station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under a fixed licence; and

 (b) is operated principally for communication with 1 other fixed station; and

 (c) is operated on frequencies specified in the transmitter licence that relates to the station.

PTS means a Public Telecommunications Service.

PTS licence means an apparatus licence issued for a service that consists of 2 or more land stations that are operated:

 (a) by a person who holds a carrier licence; and

 (b) for providing a public mobile telecommunications service.

public correspondence has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

public mobile telecommunications service has the meaning it has in the Telecommunications Act 1997.

pX has the meaning it has in the Radio Regulations.

pY has the meaning it has in the Radio Regulations.

pZ has the meaning it has in the Radio Regulations.

radio astronomy service means a radiocommunication service that is used solely for the purposes of radio astronomy.

radiodetermination frequencies has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

radiodetermination licence means a licence issued for a station that is operated:

 (a) to determine the position, velocity or other characteristics of an object; or

 (b) to obtain information relating to those characteristics:

by means of the propagation properties of radio waves.

radiodetermination station means a station that is operated under a radiodetermination licence.

Radio Regulations has the meaning it has in the spectrum plan.

radio waves means electromagnetic waves of frequencies less than 3000 gigahertz that are propagated in space without an artificial guide.

Regulations means the Radiocommunications Regulations 1993.

scientific assigned station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under a scientific licence; and

 (b) is operated on a frequency or frequencies that are specified in the transmitter licence that relates to the station.

scientific licence means a licence issued for a station, which operates primarily to perform any of the following activities:

 (a) research into radiocommunications;

 (b) investigation of radiocommunications;

 (c) instruction in radiocommunications;

 (d) demonstration of equipment;

 (e) testing of equipment;

 (f) trials of new radiocommunications technology;

 (g) radio propagation path testing.

scientific non assigned station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under a scientific licence; and

 (b) is operated:

 (i) on a non assigned basis; or

 (ii) on frequencies specified for the operation of scientific non assigned stations in a determination made under paragraph 107 (1) (f) of the Act.

ship has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

ship station Class A has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

ship station Class A group licences means a ship station Class A that is operated by a person in association with a volunteer non‑profit organisation that is established for the principal purpose of providing maritime safety radiocommunications services, where:

 (a) an application for a licence that authorises the holder to operate the station is lodged together with at least 24 other such applications on the same day; and

 (b) each of the applications is for the issue of a licence for a period that begins on the same day.

ship station Class B has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

ship station Class B assigned means a maritime ship station that:

 (a) is operated under a maritime ship licence; and

 (b) may be used for the transmission and reception of messages on behalf of the public; and

 (c) is operated on maritime frequencies specified in the transmitter licence that relates to the station.

ship station Class B non assigned means a maritime ship station that:

 (a) is operated under a maritime ship licence; and

 (b) may be used for the transmission and reception of messages on behalf of the public; and

 (c) is operated:

 (i) on maritime frequencies on a non assigned basis; or

 (ii) on frequencies specified for the operation of ship station Class B non assigned stations in a determination made under paragraph 107 (1) (f) of the Act.

ship station Class C has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

ship station Class C assigned means a maritime ship station that:

 (a) is operated under a maritime ship licence; and

 (b) is equipped in accordance with the Navigation Act 1912; and

 (c) is operated on maritime frequencies specified in the transmitter licence that relates to the station.

ship station Class C non assigned means a maritime ship station that:

 (a) is operated under a maritime ship licence; and

 (b) is equipped in accordance with the Navigation Act 1912; and

 (c) is operated:

 (i) on maritime frequencies on a non assigned basis; or

 (ii) on frequencies specified for the operation of ship station Class C non assigned stations in a determination made under paragraph 107 (1) (f) of the Act.

single sideband, and SSB, mean a radio emission of which the carrier and either the upper or lower sideband are suppressed.

sound outside broadcast station means a fixed station that:

 (a) is operated under a fixed licence; and

 (b) is established for the purpose of providing a temporary broadcasting coverage of an event.

space licence means an apparatus licence that authorises the operation of a space station.

space receive licence means an apparatus licence that authorises the operation of a space receive station.

space receive station means a radiocommunications receiver on a space object.

space station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

spurious emission has the meaning it has in the Radio Regulations.

station has the meaning it has in the Regulations.

subscription narrowcasting service has the meaning it has in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992.

telecommunications network has the meaning it has in the Telecommunications Act 1997.

television outside broadcast network means a network comprising 1 or more television outside broadcast stations that are operated:

 (a) under a fixed licence; and

 (b) anywhere in Australia; and

 (c) on more than 1 frequency specified in the fixed licence.

television outside broadcast network station means a station that is operated within a television outside broadcast network.

television outside broadcast station means a station that:

 (a) is operated under a fixed licence; and

 (b) operates:

 (i) on a frequency exceeding 1 gigahertz; and

 (ii) between 2 points for a short period of time; and

 (c) is used only for the transmission of television signals and associated signals.

television outside broadcast system means a system comprising 1 or more television outside broadcast stations that are operated:

 (a) under a fixed licence; and

 (b) in an area specified in the fixed licence; and

 (c) on a frequency specified in the fixed licence.

television outside broadcast system station means a station that is operated within a television outside broadcast system.

temporary fixed link station means a station:

 (a) that is operated under a fixed licence; and

 (b) that is operated anywhere in Australia for a period of not more than 14 days; and

 (c) that is operated on a frequency or frequencies in the range:

 (i) 12.75 gigahertz to 13.25 gigahertz; or

 (ii) 14.5 gigahertz to 15.35 gigahertz; or 

 (iii) 21.2 gigahertz to 23.6 gigahertz; and

 (d) for which the ACA, or a person accredited under section 263 of the Act, undertakes coordination procedures for the purpose of minimising interference.

ultra high frequency, and UHF, mean a frequency that exceeds 300 megahertz but does not exceed 3 gigahertz.

upper sideband, and USB, mean an SSB radio emission of which the sideband below the carrier is suppressed.

very high frequency, and VHF, mean a frequency that exceeds 30 megahertz but does not exceed 300 megahertz.

Notes to the Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2000

Note 1

The Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2000 (in force under section 64 (1) of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 and sections 5, 7 (1) (a) and (b), 10A (1), 16 (1) (ca), 30 (1), 32 (1), 34 (1), 98 (1), 107 (1) (f), 108A (1) (e), 115 (1), 119, 131AC (1), 132 (1), 134, 144 (1) (c), (d) and (e), 147 (1) (c), (d) and (e) and 300 (1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992) as shown in this compilation is amended as indicated in the Tables below.

Under the Legislative Instruments Act 2003, which came into force on 1 January 2005, it is a requirement for all non‑exempt legislative instruments to be registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.

Table of Instruments

Table of Amendments