{"id":"F2024L00258","name":"Radiocommunications Advisory Guidelines (Managing Interference to Spectrum Licensed Receivers – 2.3 GHz Band) 2024","slug":"radiocommunications-advisory-guidelines-managing-interference-to-spectrum-licensed-receivers-2-3-ghz","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":105117,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2024L00258-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","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 – 2.3 GHz Band) 2024.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n  This instrument commences on 31 March 2024.","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 the Radiocommunications Advisory Guidelines (Managing Interference to Spectrum Licensed Receivers — 2.3 GHz Band) 2013","content":"#### 4 Repeal of the Radiocommunications Advisory Guidelines (Managing Interference to Spectrum Licensed Receivers – 2.3 GHz Band) 2013\n\n  The Radiocommunications Advisory Guidelines (Managing Interference to Spectrum Licensed Receivers – 2.3 GHz Band) 2013 \\[F2013L02150\\] are repealed.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 5 Definitions\n\n  (1) In this instrument:\n\n> 2.3 GHz band means the frequency band 2300 MHz to 2400 MHz.\n\n> 2.3 GHz receiver means a radiocommunications receiver operated under a 2.3 GHz spectrum licence.\n\n> 2.3 GHz spectrum licence means a spectrum licence that authorises the operation of radiocommunications devices in the 2.3 GHz band.\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> compatibility requirement: see Part 5 and Schedule 2.\n\n> device boundary criterion has the meaning given by:\n\n    (a) the section 145 determination; or\n    (b) if another instrument replaces that determination – the other instrument.\n\n> intermodulation response rejection: see item 3 of Schedule 1.\n\n> notional receiver performance level: see subsection 12(2) and item 1 of Schedule 1.\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, see item 4 of Schedule 1.\n\n> section 145 determination means the Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 2.3 GHz Band) Determination 2024.\n\n> Note 1: 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> Note 2: 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) Register;\n    (k) spectrum licence;\n    (l) transmitter licence.\n\n> Note 3: A number of other expressions used in this instrument may be defined in the Radiocommunications (Interpretation – Technical Framework) Determination 2024 or in another instrument made under subsection 64(1) of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 to replace it, including:\n\n    (a) Act;\n    (b) centre frequency;\n    (c) emission buffer zone;\n    (d) fixed receiver;\n    (e) fixed transmitter;\n    (f) geographic area;\n    (g) in-band;\n    (h) mobile device;\n    (i) out-of-band;\n    (j) unwanted signal;\n    (k) wanted signal.\n  (2) 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 existing 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 2.3 GHz receivers from interference caused by:\n    (i) radiocommunications transmitters operated under a class licence; or\n    (ii) fixed transmitters operated under a transmitter licence first operated on or after 25 July 2015; or\n    (iii) fixed transmitters operated under a 2.3 GHz spectrum licence; and\n    (b) assists in the management of in-band and out-of-band interference by providing compatibility requirements for registered fixed receivers operated under 2.3 GHz 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 2.3 GHz receivers, caused by radiocommunications transmitters operated under a class licence or an apparatus licence or another 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 a 2.3 GHz 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 and the device boundary criterion.\n  (2) In-band interference to a 2.3 GHz receiver, caused by a radiocommunications transmitter operated under a transmitter licence first issued after 25 July 2015, is managed as if the transmitter were operated under a spectrum licence. The device boundary criterion should be applied to such radiocommunications transmitters, affording 2.3 GHz receivers the same level of in-band protection from apparatus licensed radiocommunications transmitters as they are afforded from radiocommunications transmitters operated under adjacent spectrum licences.\n  (3) Application of the device boundary criterion manages in-band interference. The device boundary criterion incorporates emission limits that provide reasonable protection within the geographic area of a spectrum licence.\n  (4) The interference management frameworks, if any are required, for radiocommunications devices operated under a class licence are contained in the relevant 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 a 2.3 GHz 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 a 2.3 GHz 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 a 2.3 GHz spectrum licence that are mobile devices, because the itinerant 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.\n  (3) A radiocommunications transmitter operated under a class licence must comply with the conditions of the class licence.","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"Compatibility requirement","sectionType":"section","heading":"Compatibility requirement","content":"#### Compatibility requirement\n\n  (1) The compatibility requirement for a fixed receiver, operated under a spectrum licence, to be provided by a radiocommunications transmitter operated under an apparatus licence or a spectrum licence, is a maximum unwanted signal level of -108 dBm per 5 MHz, not exceeded for more than 5% of any 1 hour period.\n  (2) Logarithmic scaling should be used to find the appropriate maximum unwanted signal level in alternative bandwidths.","sortOrder":18}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"This instrument expressly repeals the 2013 guidelines (s.4) and replaces them with updated rules: it clarifies protection to 2.3 GHz receivers from class‑licence transmitters and apparatus licences first operated on/after 25 July 2015 (s.7(3)(a)), sets a notional receiver performance level and specific technical thresholds (Part 4, Schedule 1), fixes a compatibility requirement (Compatibility requirement), requires prior registration for protection (s.10), and excludes mobile receivers from that requirement (s.11)."},"complexity_factors":["Technical performance thresholds in Schedule 1 (adjacent channel selectivity, intermodulation response rejection, receiver blocking) require specialist RF engineering measurement and interpretation (see Schedule 1 items 1–4).","Compatibility requirement expressed as a statistical limit (−108 dBm per 5 MHz, 5% of any 1 hour) introduces time‑averaging and bandwidth scaling complexities for compliance and monitoring (Compatibility requirement).","Multiple cross‑references to other instruments and determinations (the Act, section 145 determination, device boundary criterion, Radiocommunications (Interpretation – Technical Framework) Determination) create dependencies on external texts for full operation (see ss.3, 5, 6, definitions).","Different treatment of transmitters depending on authorization type and date (spectrum licences, apparatus licences first issued after 25 July 2015, class licences) requires careful legal and record checks against the Register (see ss.7(3)(a), 10, 13).","Exclusion of mobile receivers from the compatibility requirement adds operational exceptions and coordination complexity (s.11).","Measurement point and accounting for external filters/antenna/feed losses (s.12(3), Part 4(5)) affect how performance is verified and how parties coordinate.","Use of external technical standards (3GPP TS 38.104) for numeric values ties legal compliance to evolving standards and versions (Schedules referencing 3GPP).","Emission buffer zone and device boundary criterion interaction with core licence conditions requires modelling and site‑specific coordination (ss.7–9)."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument replaces the 2013 guidelines and sets updated technical and administrative rules for managing interference to fixed receivers in the 2.3 GHz band. It specifies minimum receiver performance, a compatibility limit (maximum unwanted signal −108 dBm per 5 MHz, not exceeded more than 5% of any hour), and when a registered receiver is entitled to protection.\n\nIt affects spectrum licensees, apparatus licensees, class‑licence transmitters and receiver owners: transmitters must meet emission/compatibility limits and receiver owners must register and meet performance levels to obtain protection (see ss.10–13, Part 4–5)."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation maintains its original scope as technical advisory guidelines for interference management in the 2.3 GHz band. The 2024 version updates technical parameters and references to reflect current standards but does not expand beyond the original purpose of managing interference to spectrum licensed receivers in this specific frequency band."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-referencing to other instruments (section 145 determination, 3GPP technical standards, Radiocommunications Act definitions, Interpretation Determination)","Multiple nested conditions for receiver protection eligibility (registration timing, licence type, device type, performance thresholds)","Technical tables with precise decibel measurements and frequency offsets requiring engineering knowledge to interpret","Dual-track interference management (in-band vs out-of-band) with different rules for each","Conditional definitions ('if...then' logic) for apparatus licences based on issue date (25 July 2015 cutoff)","Incorporation of external technical standards by reference (3GPP TS 38.104) without reproducing full content","Multiple instrument types interacting (Act, determinations, guidelines, class licences)"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets technical rules to manage interference in the 2.3 GHz band, protecting spectrum‑licence receivers from nearby transmitters by requiring receivers meet minimum performance standards and imposing compatibility (noise) limits on transmitters. It applies to spectrum and transmitter licence holders and class‑licensed equipment, while excluding mobile handsets.\n\nBy balancing receiver obligations and transmitter limits and requiring receiver registration before nearby transmitters, it reduces disputes and preserves mobile broadband service quality."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-advisory-guidelines-managing-interference-to-spectrum-licensed-receivers-2-3-ghz","history":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-advisory-guidelines-managing-interference-to-spectrum-licensed-receivers-2-3-ghz/history","analysis":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-advisory-guidelines-managing-interference-to-spectrum-licensed-receivers-2-3-ghz/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-advisory-guidelines-managing-interference-to-spectrum-licensed-receivers-2-3-ghz/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-advisory-guidelines-managing-interference-to-spectrum-licensed-receivers-2-3-ghz/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-advisory-guidelines-managing-interference-to-spectrum-licensed-receivers-2-3-ghz/documents"}}