{"id":"F2023L00242","name":"Radiocommunications Advisory Guidelines (Managing Interference to Spectrum Licensed Receivers – 1800 MHz Band) 2023","slug":"f2023l00242","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":330041,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2023L00242-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-08","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name","content":"#### 1 Name\n\n  These are the Radiocommunications Advisory Guidelines (Managing Interference to Spectrum Licensed Receivers – 1800 MHz Band) 2023.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n  This instrument commences at the start of the day after the day it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.\n\n> Note: The Federal Register of Legislation may be accessed free of charge at [www.legislation.gov.au](http://www.legislation.gov.au).","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Authority","content":"#### 3 Authority\n\n  This instrument is made under section 262 of the Act.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal of other guidelines","content":"#### 4 Repeal of other guidelines\n\n  (1) The Radiocommunications Advisory Guidelines (Managing Interference to Spectrum Licensed Receivers – 1800 MHz Band) 2012 \\[F2012L02047\\] are repealed.\n  (2) The Radiocommunications Advisory Guidelines (Additional Device Boundary Criteria – 1800 MHz Lower Band) 2012 \\[F2012L02046\\] are repealed.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 5 Definitions\n\n  (1) In this instrument:\n\n> 1800 MHz band means the 1800 MHz lower band and the 1800 MHz upper band.\n\n> 1800 MHz lower band means the frequency band 1710 MHz to 1785 MHz.\n\n> 1800 MHz receiver means a radiocommunications receiver operated under an 1800 MHz spectrum licence.\n\n> 1800 MHz spectrum licence means a spectrum licence that authorises the operation of radiocommunications devices in the 1800 MHz band.\n\n> 1800 MHz upper band means the frequency band 1805 MHz to 1880 MHz.\n\n> Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1992.\n\n> adjacent channel, in relation to another channel (the occupied channel), means a channel with a centre frequency offset on either side of the assigned channel frequency of the occupied channel by a specific frequency relation.\n\n> adjacent channel selectivity: see item 2 of Schedule 1.\n\n> centre frequency, in relation to a radiocommunications transmitter, means the frequency midway between the lower and upper frequency limits of the transmitter’s occupied bandwidth.\n\n> compatibility requirement: see Part 5 and Schedule 2.\n\n> emission buffer zone, in relation to a spectrum licence, means a zone along the frequency or geographic boundary specified in a spectrum licence where emission levels of radiocommunications transmitters are reduced to ensure that significant levels of emissions stay within the geographic areas and frequencies of the licence.\n\n> fixed receiver means a radiocommunications receiver:\n\n    (a) located at a fixed point on land or sea; and\n    (b) not designed or intended for use while in motion.\n\n> fixed transmitter means a radiocommunications transmitter:\n\n    (a) located at a fixed point on land or sea; and\n    (b) not designed or intended for use while in motion.\n\n> frequency adjacent spectrum licence, in relation to a spectrum licence (the first licence), means a spectrum licence that authorises the operation of radiocommunications devices in a part of the spectrum that is adjacent to the parts of the spectrum specified in a core condition of the first licence.\n\n> geographic area, for a spectrum licence, means the area within which operation of a radiocommunications device is authorised under the licence.\n\n> in-band means:\n\n    (a) for a radiocommunications device operated under a spectrum licence – the part of the spectrum within which the operation of radiocommunications devices is authorised under the licence; or\n    (b) for a radiocommunications device operated under an apparatus licence that specifies a frequency band – the frequencies within the lower frequency limit and the upper frequency limit specified in the licence;\n    (c) for a radiocommunications device operated under an apparatus licence that specifies a specific frequency and bandwidth – the frequencies within that bandwidth, when centred on the specific frequency.\n\n> intermodulation response rejection: see item 3 of Schedule 1.\n\n> mobile device means a radiocommunications device that is used:\n\n    (a) while it is in motion on land, on water or in the air; or\n    (b) in a stationary position at unspecified points on land, on water or in the air.\n\n> notional receiver performance level: see subsection 12(2).\n\n> out-of-band, for a radiocommunications device, means a frequency other than an in-band frequency.\n\n> receiver blocking, in relation to a radiocommunications receiver, means the measure of the ability of the receiver to receive a wanted signal in the presence of a high level unwanted interferer on frequencies other than those of an adjacent channel.\n\n> section 145 determination means the Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 1800 MHz Band) Determination 2023.\n\n> Note: The section 145 determination is available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at [www.legislation.gov.au](http://www.legislation.gov.au).\n\n> spectrum space means the three dimensional space consisting of a frequency band and a geographic area.\n\n> spurious response immunity: see item 5 of Schedule 1.\n\n> unwanted signal means a radio emission from a radiocommunications transmitter that is not a wanted signal.\n\n> wanted signal means a radio emission from a radiocommunications transmitter that is intended for reception by a radiocommunications receiver protected by this instrument.\n\n> Note: A number of other expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:\n\n    (a) ACMA;\n    (b) apparatus licence;\n    (c) class licence;\n    (d) core condition;\n    (e) frequency band;\n    (f) interference;\n    (g) radiocommunications device;\n    (h) radiocommunications receiver;\n    (i) radiocommunications transmitter;\n    (j) radio emission;\n    (k) spectrum licence.\n  (2) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears, each term listed in subsection (3) has the meaning given by:\n    (a) the section 145 determination; or\n    (b) if another instrument replaces that determination – the other instrument.\n  (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), the terms are:\n    (a) additional device boundary criterion;\n    (b) areas of high mobile use;\n    (c) device boundary;\n    (d) device boundary criterion;\n    (e) effective antenna height;\n    (f) high sited;\n    (g) low sited.\n  (4) In this instrument, unless otherwise specified, a reference to a part of the spectrum or a frequency band includes all frequencies that are greater than but not including the lower frequency, up to and including the higher frequency.\n\n> Note: This subsection means the lower number in a part of the spectrum or a frequency band is not included in the part of the spectrum or the frequency band.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"References to other instruments","content":"#### 6 References to other instruments\n\n  In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears:\n    (a) a reference to any other legislative instrument is a reference to that other legislative instrument as in force from time to time; and\n    (b) a reference to any other kind of instrument or writing is a reference to that other instrument or writing as in force or existence from time to time.\n\n> Note 1: For references to Commonwealth Acts, see section 10 of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901; and see also subsection 13(1) of the Legislation Act 2003 for the application of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 to legislative instruments.\n\n> Note 2: All Commonwealth Acts and legislative instruments are registered on the Federal Register of Legislation.\n\n> Note 3: See section 314A of the Act.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Background","content":"#### 7 Background\n\n  (1) A spectrum licence authorises the operation of radiocommunications devices within a part of the spectrum and in a geographic area. Interference occurring between adjacent spectrum licences consists of in-band interference across the geographic boundaries, and out-of-band interference across the frequency boundaries.\n  (2) This interference is managed by creating emission buffer zones along the geographic and frequency boundaries of a spectrum licence, using a number of powers under the Act. Emission buffer zones may be created by, or as a result of, the following:\n    (a) specifying out-of-area and out-of-band emission limits in the core conditions of the licence, which must be included in all spectrum licences (see section 66 of the Act);\n    (b) a determination under section 145 of the Act, relating to unacceptable levels of interference and the registration of radiocommunications devices, and related licence conditions (see section 69 of the Act);\n    (c) advisory guidelines under section 262 of the Act, about managing interference in specific circumstances.\n  (3) This instrument:\n    (a) provides protection to 1800 MHz receivers from interference caused by radiocommunications transmitters operated under an apparatus licence, class licence, or spectrum licence;\n    (b) assists in the management of in-band and out-of-band interference by providing compatibility requirements for registered fixed receivers operated under 1800 MHz spectrum licences; and\n    (c) sets out minimum receiver performance requirements that the ACMA will assume are met by a radiocommunications receiver, when considering whether to provide protection to the receiver in accordance with this instrument, so that the onus of managing interference is not solely placed upon the operators of radiocommunications transmitters.\n  (4) This instrument is intended to provide guidance on the management and settlement of interference to 1800 MHz receivers, caused by radiocommunications transmitters operated under another class, apparatus or spectrum licence issued under the Act.\n  (5) This instrument should be used by spectrum licensees, apparatus licensees, and authorised third parties in the planning of services and in the resolution of interference.\n  (6) This instrument does not prevent a person negotiating and implementing other protection requirements with other persons.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"In-band interference","content":"#### 8 In-band interference\n\n  (1) In-band interference to an 1800 MHz receiver, caused by a radiocommunications transmitter operated under an adjacent spectrum licence, is managed by the core conditions imposed on spectrum licences under section 66 of the Act, the device boundary criterion, and the additional device boundary criterion.\n  (2) In-band interference to an 1800 MHz receiver, caused by a radiocommunications transmitter operated under an apparatus licence that was first issued under section 100 of the Act on or after 18 June 2013, is managed as if the transmitter were operated under a spectrum licence. The device boundary criterion is to be applied to such radiocommunications transmitters, affording 1800 MHz receivers the same level of in-band protection from apparatus licensed radiocommunications transmitters as they are afforded from radiocommunications transmitters operated under adjacent area spectrum licences.\n  (3) The ACMA does not intend to afford protection from in-band interference to an 1800 MHz receiver caused by a radiocommunications transmitter operated under an apparatus licence that was first issued under section 100 of the Act before 18 June 2013.\n  (4) The ACMA does not intend to act in relation to in-band interference to an 1800 MHz receiver caused by a radiocommunications transmitter operated under a class licence where the operation complies with all relevant conditions of the class licence.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Out-of-band interference","content":"#### 9 Out-of-band interference\n\n  (1) Out-of-band interference is difficult to predict, because the levels and frequencies of unwanted emissions depend on both the nearness and the operating frequencies of radiocommunications transmitters and radiocommunications receivers that are spectrally or geographically close. In addition, out-of-band interference:\n    (a) can extend for many MHz either side of the frequency boundary of a spectrum licence; and\n    (b) is dependent on the quality of the radiocommunications receiver as well as the levels of the radiocommunications transmitter’s emissions; and\n    (c) is difficult to model accurately.\n  (2) Emission limits are also used to manage out-of-band interference, but these do not provide protection along the frequency boundaries of a spectrum licence throughout the entire geographic area. Because of the nature of out-of-band interference, emission limits cannot be used to provide protection from out-of-band interference for radiocommunications devices that are located near each other.\n\n> Note: Example: Radiocommunications devices that are located near each other include devices located at multi-operator sites.\n\n  (3) Emission limits are not the sole mechanism used to manage out-of-band interference for devices in close proximity, because the interference modelling inaccuracy would require large probability margins to be added to those limits. Large probability margins would place severe constraints on the use of the spectrum because the upper and lower frequency limits of a spectrum licence extend throughout the geographic area. Emission limits to manage out-of-band interference throughout the geographic area cannot be used, because they would lead to a severe loss of utility of the spectrum on both sides of the frequency limits.\n  (4) To avoid large probability margins, out-of-band interference is managed through interference management procedures based on a compatibility requirement for radiocommunications receivers. A minimum level of receiver performance is specified in Part 4 in conjunction with the compatibility requirement because the performance level of receivers:\n    (a) affects the level of interference; and\n    (b) can vary for receivers operating under spectrum licences.\n\n> Note: The minimum level of receiver performance is specified in Part 4. The compatibility requirement is set out in Part 5.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Recording radiocommunications receiver details in the Register","content":"#### 10 Recording radiocommunications receiver details in the Register\n\n  (1) In this instrument, for an 1800 MHz receiver to be afforded protection from interference caused by an apparatus licensed radiocommunications transmitter, the details of the receiver must have been included in the Register before the relevant apparatus licence was first issued under section 100 of the Act.\n  (2) In this instrument, for an 1800 MHz receiver to be afforded protection from interference caused by a spectrum licensed radiocommunications transmitter, the details of the receiver must have been included in the Register before the details of the relevant transmitter were included in the Register.\n\n> Note: See also Part 5.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Mobile devices","content":"#### 11 Mobile devices\n\n  The compatibility requirement specified in Part 5 does not apply to radiocommunications receivers operated under an 1800 MHz band spectrum licence that are mobile devices, because the transient nature of these devices prevents the use of this requirement as an interference management procedure.","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Notional receiver performance level","content":"#### 12 Notional receiver performance level\n\n  (1) The level of interference caused by unwanted emissions depends on the interference susceptibility of a radiocommunications receiver and the level of the unwanted signal. Emission levels from radiocommunications transmitters should not have to be reduced below a point where the performance of the radiocommunications receiver is the main cause of the problem.\n  (2) A notional receiver performance level is set out in Schedule 1 and is to be used when setting a compatibility requirement for a radiocommunications receiver. A receiver should meet the notional receiver performance level to gain protection from interference from a radiocommunications transmitter specified in this instrument.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"13","sectionType":"section","heading":"Compatibility","content":"#### 13 Compatibility\n\n  (1) In relation to a fixed receiver specified in subsection (2), the licensee of a fixed transmitter operated under an apparatus licence or a spectrum licence must ensure that the transmitter meets the compatibility requirement in Schedule 2.\n  (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a fixed receiver is specified if the receiver:\n    (a) is operated under a spectrum licence; and\n    (b) has at least the notional receiver performance level; and\n    (c) was included in the Register before:\n    (i) if the fixed transmitter mentioned in subsection (1) is operated under a spectrum licence – the fixed transmitter was included in the Register; or\n    (ii) if the fixed transmitter mentioned in subsection (1) is operated under an apparatus licence – the apparatus licence was issued; and\n    (d) one of the following applies\n    (i) the receiver is operated in the 1800 MHz lower band; or\n    (ii) the receiver is operated in the 1800 MHz upper band, and has an effective antenna height for each increment 1, ![start formula h subscript e 1 open bracket phi subscript n close bracket end formula](image.002.png)that is less than or equal to 10 metres; or\n    (iii) the receiver is operated in the 1800 MHz upper band, and has an effective antenna height for each increment 1, ![start formula h subscript e 1 open bracket phi subscript n close bracket end formula](image.002.png)that is greater than 10 metres, and does not operate within 10 MHz (measured from the lower or upper limit of the occupied bandwidth of the received signal) of a frequency adjacent spectrum licence (in relation to the licence mentioned in paragraph (a)) authorising the operation of radiocommunication devices in the same area, and is not in an area of high mobile use.\n\n> Note: Radiocommunications receivers operated in the 1800 MHz upper band are generally not afforded protection from radiocommunications devices exempt from registration. It is the responsibility of the operator of the receiver to manage any interference from such devices through negotiation and mechanisms such as implementing guard bands and appropriate site selection.\n\n  (3) Licensees of radiocommunications transmitters operated under a spectrum licence are expected to reduce their out-of-band emissions to the levels set out in Schedule 3, if it would facilitate compatibility with registered radiocommunications receivers operated under a frequency adjacent spectrum licence. This expectation applies irrespective of which radiocommunications device was registered first. Licensees are responsible for bearing the costs of changes to their own system. If reducing out-of-band emissions would not facilitate compatibility between services, generally the radiocommunications device first registered will be given priority.\n\n> Note: This requirement reflects the fact that the strict out-of-band emission limits in a spectrum licence core condition have not been imposed. This was done to avoid any unnecessary costs and burden on licensees to implement arrangements that are only required to enable compatibility in specific situations. Consequently, it is only expected that licensees of 1800 MHz spectrum licences reduce out-of-band emissions when required to facilitate compatibility with other services.\n\n  (4) For subparagraphs (2)(e)(ii) and (iii), the effective antenna height ![start formula h subscript e 1 open bracket phi subscript n close bracket end formula](image.002.png) for a radiocommunications receiver is calculated in accordance with Schedule 3 to the section 145 determination, as if the receiver were a radiocommunications transmitter.\n\n> Note: The 10 metre effective antenna height limit for the 1800 MHz upper band was chosen to be consistent with common deployment practice at the time this instrument was made.\n\n  (5) A radiocommunications transmitter operated under a class licence must comply with the conditions of the class licence.","sortOrder":12}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This instrument expressly repeals the 2012 guidelines (Section 4) and revises who and what is protected. It treats apparatus licences first issued on or after 18 June 2013 as if they were spectrum licences for in‑band interference (Section 8(2)), excludes apparatus licences issued before that date from intended protection (Section 8(3)), sets a notional receiver performance standard (Section 12 and Schedule 1), fixes registration timing for receiver protection (Section 10), and replaces hard uniform out‑of‑band core limits with an expectation that licensees reduce emissions per Schedule 3 where required (Section 13(3) and Additional out‑of‑band emission limit)."},"complexity_factors":["Technical parameter detail: multiple numeric receiver-performance metrics (adjacent channel selectivity 43.5 dB; intermodulation response rejection -74 dBm/30 kHz; blocking -65 dBm/30 kHz or total mean power -15 dBm; spurious immunity 65 dB) and a compatibility limit of -123.5 dBm/30 kHz (Schedule 1 items 2–5; Compatibility requirement).","Frequency and geographic interactions: separate treatment for in‑band and out‑of‑band interference, emission buffer zones, and the difficulty of modelling out‑of‑band effects (Sections 7–9).","Cross‑licence interactions and temporal rules: different obligations depending on whether a transmitter is operated under a spectrum licence, an apparatus licence (with a cut‑off date 18 June 2013), or a class licence; and registration timing requirements for receiver protection (Sections 4, 8(2)–(3), 10).","Discrete exceptions and exclusions: mobile receivers excluded from the compatibility requirement and upper‑band receivers subject to effective antenna height and proximity rules (Sections 11, 13(2)(d)).","Calculation rules and dependencies: use of effective antenna height calculations from the section 145 determination and log‑scaling of compatibility levels for other bandwidths (Section 13(4); Compatibility requirement).","Non‑mandatory expectations vs enforceable limits: ACMA ‘expects’ licensees to reduce out‑of‑band emissions to Schedule 3 levels where needed rather than imposing uniform core limits, creating room for negotiation and prioritisation (Section 13(3)).","Complex emission‑limit formula: additional out‑of‑band emission limit defined by a frequency‑offset formula and a 70 dB floor for offsets >20.5 MHz (Additional out‑of‑band emission limit).","Cross‑references and delegated instruments: reliance on the section 145 determination and other instruments for defined terms and calculations increases interpretive complexity (Section 5(2)–(3); Section 13(4))."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument replaces earlier guidance and sets a technical regime for managing interference to receivers in the 1800 MHz band. It prescribes minimum receiver performance levels, a compatibility requirement for transmitters, additional out‑of‑band emission limits and rules about when a registered receiver will be protected. It affects 1800 MHz spectrum licensees, apparatus and class licensees, and operators who register receivers. Licensees pay to reduce emissions or fit filters and must coordinate; the ACMA decides protection and registration outcomes and expects parties to negotiate where the rules don’t automatically apply."},"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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument appears to be a straightforward replacement of the 2012 guidelines (repealed in section 4), maintaining the same scope of managing interference to 1800 MHz spectrum licensed receivers. The structure and purpose align with the original intent of providing technical guidance for interference management in this specific frequency band."},"complexity_factors":["21 defined terms in section 5, plus 7 additional terms imported from another determination","Extensive cross-referencing to the Radiocommunications Act 1992, the section 145 determination, and Schedule 3 of that determination","Nested conditional logic in section 13(2)(d) with three alternative criteria for receiver protection in the upper band, including mathematical calculations of effective antenna height","Mathematical formulas in Schedule 3 involving logarithmic calculations for emission limits","Temporal priority rules (section 10) requiring receivers to be registered before transmitters for protection to apply","Dual regime treatment: different rules for apparatus licences issued before vs after 18 June 2013 (section 8)","Four distinct technical performance parameters in Schedule 1 (adjacent channel selectivity, intermodulation response rejection, receiver blocking, spurious response immunity) with specific decibel thresholds"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets technical rules for managing radio interference in the 1800 MHz band, protecting qualifying fixed receivers from nearby transmitters while placing compatibility obligations and power limits on transmitter operators. It affects 1800 MHz spectrum licensees, apparatus licensees with potential interfering transmitters, and the ACMA.\n\nThe rules exclude mobile handsets, allow registration for certain fixed receivers, and aim to keep mobile services reliable while enabling efficient spectrum use."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/f2023l00242","history":"/api/acts/f2023l00242/history","analysis":"/api/acts/f2023l00242/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/f2023l00242/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/f2023l00242/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/f2023l00242/documents"}}