{"id":"F2024L00257","name":"Radiocommunications (Interpretation – Technical Framework) Determination 2024","slug":"radiocommunications-interpretation-technical-framework-determination-2024","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":105116,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2024L00257-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  This is the Radiocommunications (Interpretation – Technical Framework) Determination 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 subsection 64(1) of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Schedule 1—Dictionary","content":"#### 4 Schedule 1–Dictionary\n\n  (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Dictionary in Schedule 1 defines expressions used in the following instruments:\n    (a) this instrument;\n    (b) instruments made under subsection 145(4) of the Act;\n    (c) advisory guidelines made under subsection 262(1) of the Act.\n  (2) If an instrument specified in paragraph (1)(b) or (c) defines an expression in the Dictionary, or an expression substantially similar to an expression in the Dictionary, the Dictionary does not define the expression for the purposes of that instrument.\n  (3) In the Dictionary, expressions defined in the Act have the same meaning as in the Act.\n\n> Note: Expressions defined in the Act include:\n\n    (a) apparatus licence;\n    (b) class licence;\n    (c) frequency band;\n    (d) radiocommunications device;\n    (e) radiocommunications receiver;\n    (f) radiocommunications transmitter;\n    (g) radio emission;\n    (h) Register;\n    (i) spectrum licence;\n    (j) spectrum plan.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"References to other instruments","content":"#### 5 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 65 of the Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Accuracy","content":"#### 6 Accuracy\n\n  Unless otherwise specified, the value of a parameter in Schedule 2 must be estimated with a level of confidence not less than 95 percent that the true value of the parameter will always remain below the requirement specified in this instrument.","sortOrder":5}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument appears to serve its intended purpose as a technical interpretation and calculation framework for radiocommunications regulation. It consolidates definitions and methodologies that would otherwise be repeated across multiple ACMA instruments, which is its explicit purpose under section 64(1) of the ACMA Act 2005. There is no evidence of scope creep beyond the technical interpretation function."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive cross-referencing to external documents including the Radiocommunications Act 1992, ITU-R Recommendations, Radio Regulations, and the DEM-3S dataset","Mathematical formulae with iterative calculations (Vincenty's Direct Formulae in Schedule 2, Item 3) requiring understanding of geodetic datums and ellipsoid parameters","Nested conditional logic for determining effective antenna height (Item 1 of Schedule 2) with multiple variables and exception cases","Technical definitions requiring domain expertise in radio engineering (e.g., 'emission designator', 'occupied bandwidth', 'phase centre', 'horizontally radiated power')","Spatial calculation requirements involving the Australian Spectrum Map Grid, GDA94 datum, and 3x3 matrix averaging of DEM-3S cell heights","Modulus arithmetic conditions for edge cases where coordinates fall on DEM-3S cell boundaries","Dual-purpose instrument acting as both dictionary for multiple other instruments and standalone technical calculation manual"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument is a technical rulebook that standardises definitions and calculation methods for Australia's radiocommunications laws so regulators, operators and engineers interpret spectrum rules the same way. It ties Australian practice to international standards and specified terrain and geodetic methods.\n\nThat uniformity matters to telcos, the ACMA and technical designers because it reduces interference, licensing disputes and design uncertainty."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument limits its scope to providing a technical Dictionary and calculation rules for this determination, instruments made under subsection 145(4) of the Act, and advisory guidelines under subsection 262(1) (s4). It preserves definitions from the Act where they exist (s4(3)) and defers to other instruments that define the same or substantially similar expressions (s4(2))."},"complexity_factors":["Technical geodetic computations: iterative Vincenty’s Direct Formulae with convergence criteria (Schedule 2, item 3).","Use of an external elevation dataset (DEM-3S) and 3×3 cell averaging to derive ground heights (Schedule 1; Schedule 2, item 2).","Multiple numeric tolerances and conditional rules (measurement error limits <10 m; antenna height measured to <5 parts in 100; 95% confidence requirement in s6).","Conditional modulus exceptions tied to latitude/longitude seconds components that change calculation methods (Schedule 2, items 1–2).","Precise grouping criteria for transmitters/receivers requiring same frequency, emission designator, antenna model, phase‑centre proximity and ACMA antenna ID (items 3–4).","Interaction and precedence with other instruments and the Act: Dictionary applies to specified instruments but yields where those instruments define terms (s4(1)–(3)).","Reliance on external standards and datasets (ITU‑R, Radio Regulations, DEM‑3S, Australian Spectrum Map Grid) creating operational dependencies and update risks."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument sets precise technical definitions and measurement methods ACMA will use for spectrum licences, apparatus licences and advisory guidelines. It specifies datasets (DEM-3S), geodetic formulae (Vincenty), antenna‑height and location calculations, grouping rules for transmitters/receivers, and a 95% confidence requirement for parameter estimates (s6, Schedule 1). Spectrum licensees and authorised third parties must measure and record locations and heights to the stated tolerances; the ACMA supplies site identifiers and other administrative data."},"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/radiocommunications-interpretation-technical-framework-determination-2024","history":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-interpretation-technical-framework-determination-2024/history","analysis":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-interpretation-technical-framework-determination-2024/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-interpretation-technical-framework-determination-2024/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-interpretation-technical-framework-determination-2024/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-interpretation-technical-framework-determination-2024/documents"}}