{"id":"F2013L00866","name":"Australian Communications and Media Authority (Low Interference Potential Devices in the Digital Dividend) Direction 2013","slug":"australian-communications-and-media-authority-low-interference-potential-devices-in-the-digital-divi","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":90560,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2013L00866-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Australian Communications and Media Authority (Low Interference Potential Devices in the Digital Dividend) Direction 2013","content":"Commonwealth of Australia\n\nAustralian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005\n\nBroadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Dividend) Act 2013\n\nAustralian Communications and Media Authority (Low Interference Potential Devices in the Digital Dividend) Direction 2013\n\nI, STEPHEN MICHAEL CONROY, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy make this Direction under section 14 of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 and Item 25, Schedule 1 to the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Dividend) Act 2013.\n\nDated 28 May 2013\n\nSTEPHEN CONROY\n\nMinister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n1 Name of Direction\n\nThis Direction is the Australian Communications and Media Authority (Low Interference Potential Devices in the Digital Dividend) Direction 2013.\n\n2 Commencement\n\nThis Direction commences on the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.\n\n3 Interpretation\n\nIn this Direction:\n\nACMA means the Australian Communications and Media Authority.\n\naffected members of the radiocommunications community means the users of low interference potential devices, and the suppliers, manufacturers and importers of such devices, that:\n\n    (a) at the date of commencement of this Direction, operate in the 694 to 820 MHz frequency band (lower limit exclusive, upper limit inclusive); and\n    (b) will, after 31 December 2014, no longer be permitted to operate in the 694 to 820 MHz frequency band.\n\nfrequency band has the same meaning as in section 5 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.\n\nlow interference potential device has the same meaning as set out in the Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2000.\n\ntransition pathway includes, without limitation, any of the following:\n\n    (a) the information that the ACMA will provide on the frequency bands which will be available to affected members of the radiocommunications community after 31 December 2014; and\n    (b) the awareness raising and education activities the ACMA will undertake to assist affected members of the radiocommunications community in making any necessary changes.\n\n4 Direction\n\nI direct the ACMA, in the performance of its spectrum management functions, to do the following by 30 July 2013:\n\n(a) review and report to me on the availability of spectrum to affected members of the radiocommunications community; and\n\n(b) provide me with advice about a transition pathway for licences for low interference potential devices used by affected members of the radiocommunications community.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This direction remains tightly focused on its original purpose: facilitating the transition of low interference potential devices out of the 694-820 MHz band as part of the Digital Dividend spectrum reallocation. It does not expand beyond this specific transitional administrative task."},"complexity_factors":["Very short document — only 4 operative sections plus preamble","Only 4 defined terms in the interpretation section","No cross-references to other legislation beyond naming the enabling Acts and incorporating definitions by reference","Single, clear directive with two straightforward tasks (review/report and provide advice)","No conditional logic, exceptions, or nested provisions","Temporal limitation is simple (deadline of 30 July 2013 for tasks; 31 December 2014 for operational cutoff)"],"plain_english_summary":"This ministerial direction tells the ACMA to help users of low-interference wireless audio gear (e.g., wireless microphones, in-ear monitors) who must vacate 694–820 MHz after 31 Dec 2014 due to the Digital Dividend repacking. \n\nIt requires the ACMA to review alternative spectrum, develop a transition plan, and run education campaigns so venues, suppliers and importers can move without sudden illegal use or service disruption."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Direction narrows ACMA's immediate task to undertaking a spectrum-availability review and advising on a transition pathway for devices affected by the planned band clearance; it implements, rather than expands, the spectrum-management role assigned by the enabling provisions (see Direction s4 and definitions in s3)."},"complexity_factors":["Short, fixed deadline for ACMA action (Direction s4: due by 30 July 2013) increases implementation pressure.","Dependence on statutory definitions and other instruments (Radiocommunications Act 1992 definition of 'frequency band'; Radiocommunications (Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2000 for 'low interference potential device') requires cross-referencing external texts (Direction s3).","Clear, narrow tasks (review spectrum availability; advise on transition pathway) keep procedural complexity low (Direction s4).","Wide affected stakeholder group (users, suppliers, manufacturers, importers) implies dispersed compliance costs and coordination challenges (Direction s3 definition of 'affected members of the radiocommunications community').","ACMA discretion in designing 'transition pathway' and awareness activities creates implementation variability and administrative burden on the regulator (Direction s3 definition of 'transition pathway' and s4).","Legal basis invokes multiple statutes (Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 s14 and Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Dividend) Act 2013 Item 25), requiring alignment with broader legislative reform."],"plain_english_summary":"This Direction instructs the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to review spectrum availability and advise on a transition pathway for low-interference devices that must stop operating in the 694–820 MHz band after 31 December 2014. It affects users, suppliers, manufacturers and importers of those devices, who will face relocation or replacement costs. The ACMA must complete its review and provide advice by the specified deadline, creating administrative tasks for the regulator and compliance costs for affected parties."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/australian-communications-and-media-authority-low-interference-potential-devices-in-the-digital-divi","history":"/api/acts/australian-communications-and-media-authority-low-interference-potential-devices-in-the-digital-divi/history","analysis":"/api/acts/australian-communications-and-media-authority-low-interference-potential-devices-in-the-digital-divi/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/australian-communications-and-media-authority-low-interference-potential-devices-in-the-digital-divi/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/australian-communications-and-media-authority-low-interference-potential-devices-in-the-digital-divi/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/australian-communications-and-media-authority-low-interference-potential-devices-in-the-digital-divi/documents"}}