{"id":"F2018L01022","name":"Radiocommunications (Spectrum Licence Limits—3.6 GHz Band) Direction 2018","slug":"radiocommunications-spectrum-licence-limits-3-6-ghz-band-direction-2018","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":97721,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2018L01022-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Name","content":"#### 1 Name\n\n This instrument is the Radiocommunications (Spectrum Licence Limits—3.6 GHz Band) Direction 2018.","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Commencement","content":"#### 2 Commencement\n\n (1) Each provision of this instrument specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.\n\n```html\n

Commencement information

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Provisions

Commencement

Date/Details

1. The whole of this instrument

The day after this instrument is registered.

\n```\n\n> Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.\n\n (2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this instrument.","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Authority","content":"#### 3 Authority\n\n This instrument is made under subsection 60(10) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Interpretation","content":"#### 4 Interpretation\n\n (1) In this instrument:\n\n> 3.6 GHz band means the part of the spectrum from 3575 MHz to 3700 MHz.\n\n> ACMA means the Australian Communications and Media Authority.\n\n> Act means Radiocommunications Act 1992.\n\n> associate means:\n\n (a) in relation to a person that is a body corporate:\n (i) a director or secretary of the body; or\n (ii) a related body corporate; or\n (iii) a director or secretary of a related body corporate; or\n (iv) an individual who controls at least 15% of the voting power or holds at least 15% of the issued shares in the body; or\n (b) in relation to a person that is an individual:\n (i) the individual’s spouse; or\n (ii) the individual’s de facto partner within the meaning of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901; or\n (iii) a body corporate in which the individual controls at least 15% of the voting power or holds at least 15% of the issued shares; or\n (iv) a body corporate of which the individual is a director or secretary; or\n (v) a body corporate that is a related body corporate in relation to a body corporate of which the individual is a director or secretary; or\n (c) in relation to any person (the first person)—any other person (other than the Commonwealth when represented by the ACMA) who is party to a relevant agreement with the first person that either or both:\n (i) is for the use by one party to the agreement of spectrum licensed to another party to the agreement under a spectrum licence for a part of the spectrum referred to in a relevant re-allocation declaration;\n (ii) relates to the acquisition of a spectrum licence for a part of the spectrum referred to in a relevant re-allocation declaration.\n\n> carrier has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997.\n\n> designated area means a metropolitan area or a regional area.\n\n> Hierarchical Cell Identification Scheme or HCIS means the Hierarchical Cell Identification Scheme used as part of the Australian Spectrum Map Grid 2012 document published by the ACMA on its website, as the document existed at the time this instrument was made.\n\n> metropolitan area has the meaning given in section 6.\n\n> PMTS Class B has the meaning given in the Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2015.\n\n> PTS licence has the meaning given in the Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2015.\n\n> public mobile telecommunications service has the same meaning as in the Telecommunications Act 1997.\n\n> regional area has the meaning given in section 6.\n\n> related body corporate has the same meaning as in the Corporations Act 2001.\n\n> relevant agreement means an agreement, arrangement or understanding:\n\n (a) whether formal or informal, or partly formal and partly informal; and\n (b) whether written or oral, or partly written and partly oral; and\n (c) whether or not having legal or equitable force and whether or not based on legal or equitable rights;\n other than a roaming services agreement or an agreement between carriers provided for by or under the Telecommunications Act 1997 or Part XIC of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.\n\n> relevant band means the part of the spectrum from 3400 MHz to 3700 MHz.\n\n> relevant re-allocation declaration means any of the following:\n\n (a) the Radiocommunications (Spectrum Re-allocation—3.6 GHz Band for Adelaide and Eastern Metropolitan Australia) Declaration 2018;\n (b) the Radiocommunications (Spectrum Re-allocation—3.6 GHz Band for Perth) Declaration 2018;\n (c) the Radiocommunications (Spectrum Re-allocation—3.6 GHz Band for Regional Australia) Declaration 2018.\n\n> roaming services agreement means an agreement between two or more carriers for the principal purpose of enabling the supply of public mobile telecommunications services by one of those other carriers, in geographic locations where another of those carriers’ public mobile telecommunications services are not available.\n\n> specified group of persons means either of the following:\n\n (a) a person and all associates of that person;\n (b) subject to subsection (3)—any 2 or more groups referred to in paragraph (a) that have at least one member in common.\n\n> use, in relation to a part of the spectrum, includes use by operating a radiocommunications device in accordance with a PTS licence for a PMTS Class B service, but does not include the operation of a radiocommunications device in accordance with any other apparatus licence.\n\n> Note: A number of expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act, including the following:\n\n (a) radiocommunications device;\n (b) spectrum;\n (c) spectrum licence;\n (d) apparatus licence.\n (2) In this direction, a reference to a part of the spectrum includes all frequencies that are greater than but not including the lower frequency, up to and including the higher frequency.\n\n> Note: This means the lower number in the reference to a part of the spectrum is not included in the part of the spectrum.\n\n (3) An individual is taken not to be a member in common between 2 or more groups that are comprised of a person (relevant person) and the associates of that relevant person where all of the following apply:\n (a) the individual is providing services as a company secretary of one or more related bodies corporate of the relevant person in each of the groups;\n (b) the individual is not providing those services as an employee of or direct contractor to any of those related bodies corporate, but as an employee of or contractor to a person that:\n (i) is not in any of the groups; and\n (ii) has been engaged by each of those related bodies corporate, under a contract or other legally binding arrangement, to provide the services of a company secretary;\n (c) the individual is not a director of any of those relevant persons or related bodies corporate;\n (d) each of those related bodies corporate is incorporated outside Australia.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Direction","content":"#### 5 Direction\n\n (1) I direct the ACMA to determine allocation procedures under subsection 60(1) of the Act that impose limits on the aggregate of the parts of the spectrum that may be used by a person or specified group of persons as a result of the allocation of spectrum licences under Subdivision B of Division 1 of Part 3.2 of the Act, in accordance with this section.\n (2) The limits imposed must:\n (a) apply to the allocation of spectrum licences in the 3.6 GHz band enabled by a relevant re-allocation declaration;\n (b) apply in relation to the relevant band in each designated area;\n (c) ensure that no person or specified group of persons may, as a result of the allocation of a spectrum licence that is enabled by a relevant re-allocation declaration, use:\n (i) more than an aggregate of 60 MHz of the relevant band in each metropolitan area (whether or not at the same location in that metropolitan area);\n (ii) more than an aggregate of 80 MHz of the relevant band in each regional area (whether or not at the same location in that regional area);\n (d) where, immediately prior to any allocation of a spectrum licence that is enabled by a relevant spectrum re-allocation declaration:\n (i) a person or specified group of persons is entitled to use one or more parts of the spectrum in the relevant band in a designated area; and\n (ii) the aggregate of those parts of the spectrum is not, when expressed in MHz, a whole number that is a multiple of 5;\n apply in relation to the designated area as though that number were rounded down to the nearest whole number that is, when expressed in MHz, a multiple of 5;\n (e) where, immediately prior to any allocation of a spectrum licence that is enabled by a relevant spectrum re-allocation declaration:\n (i) a person or specified group of persons is entitled to use a part of the spectrum in the relevant band within one or more parts of a regional area (but not the entire regional area); and\n (ii) the aggregate population of those parts of the regional area is insignificant;\n apply as though the person or specified group of persons is not entitled to use that part of the spectrum in those parts of the regional area.\n (3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(e), the aggregate population of one or more parts of a regional area referred to in that paragraph is insignificant if, and only if, the aggregate population of those parts of the regional area is less than 15% of the total population of that regional area determined in accordance with the HCIS – List of Population document published by the ACMA on its website, as that document existed at the time this instrument was made.\n\n> Note: The HCIS – List of Population Data document is a document published by the ACMA which identifies each Australian Spectrum Map Grid 2012 (ASMG) cell and block by its HCIS identifier and lists the corresponding population based on Census data. The HCIS is a naming convention for areas on the ASMG, which is a system used by the ACMA to define geographic areas for radiocommunications licensing. The document could, at the time this instrument was made, by found on the ACMA’s website ([http://www.acma.gov.au](http://www.acma.gov.au)).\n\n (4) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(e), to the extent that a licence entitles a person to use a part of the spectrum in the relevant band at one or more specified locations, the part of the regional area for each location is so much of the associated area for the location as is within the regional area.\n\n> Note 1: For associated area, see subsection 6(3).\n\n> Note 2: This subsection does not affect the meaning of the expression part of the regional area in relation to a licence to the extent that it entitles a person to use a part of the spectrum in the relevant band within a specified area (rather than at a specified location).","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Meaning of metropolitan area, regional area and associated area","content":"#### 6 Meaning of metropolitan area, regional area and associated area\n\n (1) In this instrument, metropolitan area means a metropolitan area referred to in column 1 in the following table, where each metropolitan area is an area to be ascertained as the composite of the areas, described using identifiers from the HCIS, set out in column 2.\n\n> Note 1: The HCIS is a naming convention for areas on the Australian Spectrum Map Grid 2012 (ASMG), which is a system used by the ACMA to define geographic areas for radiocommunications licensing. A document describing the ASMG and HCIS, as well as spatial datasets describing each HCIS area could, at the time this instrument was made, be found on the ACMA’s website (http://www.acma.gov.au).\n\n> Note 2: A tool to convert lists of HCIS area descriptions, such as the lists contained in the below table, into Placemark files to allow these areas to be visualised using computer mapping software could, at the time this instrument was made, be found on the ACMA’s website (http://www.acma.gov.au).\n\n```html\n

Areas that are metropolitan areas for the purposes of this instrument

Item

Column 1

Metropolitan area

Column 2

Areas forming the metropolitan area (HCIS identifiers)

1

Adelaide

IW3J, IW3K, IW3N, IW3O, IW3P, IW6B, IW6C, IW3E5, IW3E6, IW3E8, IW3E9, IW3F4, IW3F5, IW3F7, IW3F8, IW3F9, IW3I2, IW3I3, IW3I5, IW3I6, IW3I8, IW3I9, IW3L4, IW3L7, IW3M2, IW3M3, IW3M5, IW3M6, IW3M8, IW3M9, IW6A2, IW6A3, IW6A5, IW6A6, IW6A8, IW6A9, IW6D1, IW6D2, IW6D3, IW6D4, IW6D5, IW6D6, IW6E2, IW6E3, IW6F1, IW6F2, IW6F3, IW6G1, IW6G2, IW6G3

2

Brisbane

NT8D, NT8H, NT8L, NT9A, NT9B, NT9E, NT9F, NT8C3, NT8C6, NT8C9, NT8G1, NT8G2, NT8G3, NT8G5, NT8G6, NT8G8, NT8G9, NT8K2, NT8K3, NT8K6, NT8K9, NT8O3, NT8P1, NT8P2, NT8P3, NT9C1, NT9C4, NT9C7, NT9G1, NT9G4, NT9G7, NT9I1, NT9I2, NT9I3, NT9I4, NT9I5, NT9I6, NT9I7, NT9I8, NT9J1, NT9J2, NT9J3, NT9J4, NT9J5, NT9J6, NT9K1, NT9K4, NT9M1, NT9M2

3

Canberra

MW4H, MW4L, MW5A, MW5E, MW5I, MW4D7, MW4D8, MW4D9, MW4P3, MW5B4, MW5B7, MW5B8, MW5F1, MW5F2, MW5M1, MW5M2, MW4G1, MW4G2, MW4G3, MW4G5, MW4G6, MW4G8, MW4G9, MW4K2, MW4K3, MW4K5, MW4K6, MW4P6, MW5M4, MW5M5

4

Melbourne

KX3K, KX3L, KX3O, KX3P, KX6A, KX6B, KX6C, KX6D, KX6E, KX6F, KX6G, KX6H, KX6I, KX6J, KX6K, KX6L, LX1I, LX1M, LX4A, KX3F8, KX3F9, KX3G7, KX3G8, KX3G9, KX3H7, KX3H8, KX3H9, KX3J2, KX3J3, KX3J5, KX3J6, KX3J8, KX3J9, KX3M5, KX3M6, KX3M8, KX3M9, KX3N2, KX3N3, KX3N4, KX3N5, KX3N6, KX3N7, KX3N8, KX3N9, KX5D2, KX5D3, KX5D5, KX5D6, KX5D8, KX5D9, KX5H2, KX5H3, KX5H5, KX5H6, KX5H8, KX5H9, KX5L2, KX5L3, KX5L5, KX5L6, KX5L8, KX5L9, LX1E7, LX1E8, LX1E9, LX1J1, LX1J4, LX1J5, LX1J7, LX1J8, LX1N1, LX1N2, LX1N4, LX1N5, LX1N6, LX1N7, LX1N8, LX1N9, LX4B1, LX4B4, LX4B7, LX4E1, LX4E2, LX4E3, LX4E4, LX4E5, LX4E6, LX4E7, LX4I1, LX4I4, LX4I7

5

Perth

BV1I, BV1J, BV1K, BV1L, BV1M, BV1N, BV1O, BV1P, BV2I, BV2J, BV2M, BV2N, BV4A, BV4B, BV4C, BV4D, BV4E, BV4F, BV4G, BV4H, BV4I, BV4J, BV4K, BV4L, BV5A, BV5B, BV5E, BV5F, BV5I, BV5J, BV1E7, BV1E8, BV1E9, BV1F7, BV1F8, BV1F9, BV1G7, BV1G8, BV1G9, BV1H7, BV1H8, BV1H9, BV2E7, BV2E8, BV2E9, BV2F7, BV2F8, BV2F9, BV4M1, BV4M2, BV4M3, BV4N1, BV4N2, BV4N3, BV4O1, BV4O2, BV4O3, BV4P1, BV4P2, BV4P3, BV5M1, BV5M2, BV5M3, BV5N1, BV5N2, BV5N3

6

Sydney

MV9K, MV9L, MV9O, MV9P, MW3C, NV4P, NV5M, NV7B, NV7C, NV7D, NV7E, NV7F, NV7G, NV7H, NV7I, NV7J, NV7K, NV7L, NV7M, NV7N, NV7O, NV7P, MV9D6, MV9D9, MV9G4, MV9G5, MV9G6, MV9G7, MV9G8, MV9G9, MV9H3, MV9H4, MV9H5, MV9H6, MV9H7, MV9H8, MV9H9, MW3D1, MW3D2, MW3D3, MW3D4, MW3D5, MW3D6, MW3D7, MW3D8, MW3G1, MW3G2, MW3G3, MW3H1, NV4L4, NV4L5, NV4L6, NV4L7, NV4L8, NV4L9, NV4M5, NV4M6, NV4M8, NV4M9, NV4N4, NV4N5, NV4N6, NV4N7, NV4N8, NV4N9, NV4O3, NV4O4, NV4O5, NV4O6, NV4O7, NV4O8, NV4O9, NV5I4, NV5I5, NV5I6, NV5I7, NV5I8, NV5I9, NV5J4, NV5J7, NV5N1, NV5N4, NV5N7, NV7A2, NV7A3, NV7A4, NV7A5, NV7A6, NV7A7, NV7A8, NV7A9, NW1A1, NW1A2, NW1A3, NW1A4, NW1A5, NW1A6, NW1B1, NW1B2, NW1B3, NW1B4, NW1B5, NW1B6, NW1C1, NW1C2, NW1C3, NW1C4, NW1C5, NW1C6, NW1D1, NW1D2, NW1D3, NW1D4, NW1D5, NW1D6

\n```\n\n (2) In this instrument, regional area means a regional area referred to in column 1 in the following table, where each regional area is an area to be ascertained as the composite of the areas, described using identifiers from the HCIS, set out in column 2.\n\n> Note 1: The HCIS is a naming convention for areas on the Australian Spectrum Map Grid 2012 (ASMG), which is a system used by the ACMA to define geographic areas for radiocommunications licensing. A document describing the ASMG and HCIS, as well as spatial datasets describing each HCIS area could, at the time this instrument was made, be found on the ACMA’s website (http://www.acma.gov.au).\n\n> Note 2: A tool to convert lists of HCIS area descriptions, such as the lists contained in the below table, into Placemark files to allow these areas to be visualised using computer mapping software could, at the time this instrument was made, be found on the ACMA’s website ([http://www.acma.gov.au](http://www.acma.gov.au)).\n\n```html\n

Areas that are regional areas for the purposes of this instrument

Item

Column 1

Regional area

Column 2

Areas forming the regional area (HCIS identifiers)

1

North Queensland

KP6, LP4, KP7, KP8, KP9, LP7, KQ, LQ1, LQ2, LQ4, LQ5, KO1, KO4, KO5, KO7, KO8, KP1, KP2, KP4, KP5

2

Central Queensland

LR, MS, LQ7, LQ8, MR1, MR4, MR5, MR7, MR8, MR9, NS4, NS7A, NS7B, NS7C, NS7D, NS7E, NS7F, NS7G, NS7H, NS8A, NS8B, NS8C, NS8D, NS8E, NS8F, NS8G, NS8H, NS9A, NS9B, NS9C, NS9D, NS9E, NS9F, NS9G, NS9H

3

Regional Northern NSW/Southern Queensland

MT1, MT2, MT3, MT6, MT7, MT8, MT9, MU1, MU2, MU3, MU4, MU7, MU8, MU9, NT1, NT2, NT3, NT4, NT5, NT6, NT7, NU1, NU2, NU3, NU4, NU5, NU6, NU8, NU9, MT4A, MT4B, MT4C, MT4D, MT4E, MT4I, MT4M, MT4N, MT5A, MT5B, MT5C, MT5D, MT5F, MT5G, MT5H, MT5J, MT5K, MT5L, MT5N, MT5O, MT5P, MU5A, MU5B, MU5E, MU5F, MU5I, MU5J, MU5M, MU5N, MU5O, MU5P, MU6B, MU6C, MU6D, MU6F, MU6G, MU6H, MU6J, MU6K, MU6L, MU6M, MU6N, MU6O, MU6P, MV1A, MV1B, MV1C, MV1D, MV1E, MV1F, MV1G, MV1H, MV2A, MV2B, MV2C, MV2D, MV2E, MV2F, MV2G, MV2H, MV3A, MV3B, MV3E, NS7I, NS7J, NS7K, NS7L, NS7M, NS7N, NS7O, NS7P, NS8I, NS8J, NS8K, NS8L, NS8M, NS8N, NS8O, NS8P, NS9I, NS9J, NS9K, NS9L, NS9M, NS9N, NS9O, NS9P, NT8A, NT8B, NT8E, NT8F, NT8I, NT8J, NT8M, NT8N, NT9D, NT9H, NT9L, NT9N, NT9O, NT9P, NU7A, NU7B, NU7C, NU7D, NU7E, NU7F, NU7G, NU7H, NU7I, NU7J, NU7L, NU7M, NU7N, NU7O, NU7P, NV1A, NV1B, NV1C, NV1D, NV1E, NV1F, NV1G, NV1H, NV2A, NV2B, NV2C, NV2D, NV3A, NV3B, NV3C, NV3D, MT4F1, MT4F2, MT4F3, MT4F4, MT4F5, MT4F6, MT4F7, MT4F8, MT4G1, MT4J1, MT4J2, MT4J4, MT4J5, MT4J7, MT4J8, MT4J9, MT4O4, MT4O5, MT4O7, MT4O8, MT4O9, MT4P6, MT4P7, MT4P8, MT4P9, MT5E1, MT5E2, MT5E3, MT5E5, MT5E6, MT5E8, MT5E9, MT5I3, MT5I6, MT5I8, MT5I9, MT5M2, MT5M3, MT5M4, MT5M5, MT5M6, MT5M7, MT5M8, MT5M9, MU5C1, MU5C2, MU5C3, MU5C4, MU5C5, MU5C6, MU5C7, MU5D1, MU5D2, MU5D3, MU5D4, MU5D5, MU5D6, MU5K7, MU6A1, MU6A2, MU6A3, MU6A4, MU6A5, MU6A6, MU6A8, MU6A9, MU6E3, MU6E6, MU6E9, MU6I3, MU6I6, MU6I8, MU6I9, MV3C1, MV3C2, MV3C3, MV3C4, MV3C5, MV3C6, MV3C7, MV3D1, MV3D2, MV3D3, MV3D4, MV3D5, MV3D6, MV3D8, MV3D9, MV3F1, MV3F2, MV3F4, MV3F7, NT8C1, NT8C2, NT8C4, NT8C5, NT8C7, NT8C8, NT8G4, NT8G7, NT8K1, NT8K4, NT8K5, NT8K7, NT8K8, NT8O1, NT8O2, NT8O4, NT8O5, NT8O6, NT8O7, NT8O8, NT8O9, NT8P4, NT8P5, NT8P6, NT8P7, NT8P8, NT8P9, NT9C2, NT9C3, NT9C5, NT9C6, NT9C8, NT9C9, NT9G2, NT9G3, NT9G5, NT9G6, NT9G8, NT9G9, NT9I9, NT9J7, NT9J8, NT9J9, NT9K2, NT9K3, NT9K5, NT9K6, NT9K7, NT9K8, NT9K9, NT9M3, NT9M4, NT9M5, NT9M6, NT9M7, NT9M8, NT9M9, NU7K1, NU7K2, NU7K3, NU7K5, NU7K6, NU7K7, NU7K8, NU7K9

4

Regional Victoria

JV9, JW3, JW6, JW9, JX3, JX6, KW1, KW2, KW4, KW5, KW6, KW7, KW8, KW9, KX1, KX2, KX4, LW4, LW5, LW7, LW8, LW9, LX2, LX3, LX5, LX6, MX1, MX4, KV7I, KV7M, KV7N, KX3A, KX3B, KX3C, KX3D, KX3E, KX3I, KX5A, KX5B, KX5C, KX5E, KX5F, KX5G, KX5I, KX5J, KX5K, KX5M, KX5N, KX5O, KX5P, KX6M, KX6N, KX6O, KX6P, KX8A, KX8B, KX8C, KX8D, KX8E, KX8F, KX8G, KX8H, KX9A, KX9B, KX9C, KX9D, KX9E, KX9F, KX9G, KX9H, LW6I, LW6J, LW6K, LW6M, LW6N, LW6O, LX1A, LX1B, LX1C, LX1D, LX1F, LX1G, LX1H, LX1K, LX1L, LX1O, LX1P, LX4C, LX4D, LX4F, LX4G, LX4H, LX4J, LX4K, LX4L, LX4M, LX4N, LX4O, LX4P, LX7A, LX7B, LX7C, LX7D, LX7E, LX7F, LX7G, LX7H, LX8A, LX8B, LX8C, LX8D, LX8E, LX8F, LX8G, LX8H, LX9A, LX9B, LX9C, LX9D, LX9E, LX9F, LX9G, LX9H, MX2E, MX2F, MX2G, MX2H, MX2I, MX2J, MX2K, MX2L, MX2M, MX2N, MX2O, MX2P, MX3E, MX3F, MX3G, MX3H, MX3I, MX3J, MX3K, MX3L, MX3M, MX3N, MX3O, MX3P, MX7A, MX7B, MX7C, MX7D, MX7E, MX7F, MX7G, MX7H, KX3F1, KX3F2, KX3F3, KX3F4, KX3F5, KX3F6, KX3F7, KX3G1, KX3G2, KX3G3, KX3G4, KX3G5, KX3G6, KX3H1, KX3H2, KX3H3, KX3H4, KX3H5, KX3H6, KX3J1, KX3J4, KX3J7, KX3M1, KX3M2, KX3M3, KX3M4, KX3M7, KX3N1, KX5D1, KX5D4, KX5D7, KX5H1, KX5H4, KX5H7, KX5L1, KX5L4, KX5L7, LX1E1, LX1E2, LX1E3, LX1E4, LX1E5, LX1E6, LX1J2, LX1J3, LX1J6, LX1J9, LX1N3, LX4B2, LX4B3, LX4B5, LX4B6, LX4B8, LX4B9, LX4E8, LX4E9, LX4I2, LX4I3, LX4I5, LX4I6, LX4I8, LX4I9

5

Regional Southern/Western NSW

LV, JV3, JV6, KV1, KV2, KV3, KV4, KV5, KV6, KV8, KV9, KW3, LW1, LW2, LW3, MV4, MV5, MV6, MV7, MV8, MW1, MW2, MW6, MW7, MW8, MW9, KV7A, KV7B, KV7C, KV7D, KV7E, KV7F, KV7G, KV7H, KV7J, KV7K, KV7L, KV7O, KV7P, LW6A, LW6B, LW6C, LW6D, LW6E, LW6F, LW6G, LW6H, LW6L, LW6P, MV1I, MV1J, MV1K, MV1L, MV1M, MV1N, MV1O, MV1P, MV2I, MV2J, MV2K, MV2L, MV2M, MV2N, MV2O, MV2P, MV3I, MV3M, MV3N, MV9A, MV9B, MV9C, MV9E, MV9F, MV9I, MV9J, MV9M, MV9N, MW3A, MW3B, MW3E, MW3F, MW3I, MW3J, MW3K, MW3L, MW3M, MW3N, MW3O, MW3P, MW4A, MW4B, MW4C, MW4E, MW4F, MW4I, MW4J, MW4M, MW4N, MW4O, MW5C, MW5D, MW5G, MW5H, MW5J, MW5K, MW5L, MW5N, MW5O, MW5P, MX2A, MX2B, MX2C, MX2D, MX3A, MX3B, MX3C, MX3D, NV1I, NV1J, NV1K, NV1L, NV1M, NV1N, NV1O, NV1P, NV2E, NV2F, NV2G, NV2H, NV2I, NV2J, NV2K, NV2L, NV2M, NV2N, NV2O, NV2P, NV3E, NV3F, NV3G, NV3H, NV3I, NV3J, NV3K, NV3L, NV3M, NV3N, NV3O, NV3P, NV4A, NV4B, NV4C, NV4D, NV4E, NV4F, NV4G, NV4H, NV4I, NV4J, NV4K, NV5A, NV5B, NV5C, NV5D, NV5E, NV5F, NV5G, NV5H, NV5K, NV5L, NV5O, NV5P, NW1E, NW1F, NW1G, NW1H, NW1I, NW1J, NW1K, NW1L, NW1M, NW1N, NW1O, NW1P, MV3J1, MV3J4, MV3J7, MV3J8, MV3O4, MV3O5, MV3O6, MV3O7, MV3O8, MV3O9, MV3P2, MV3P3, MV3P4, MV3P5, MV3P6, MV3P7, MV3P8, MV3P9, MV9D1, MV9D2, MV9D3, MV9D4, MV9D5, MV9D7, MV9D8, MV9G1, MV9G2, MV9G3, MV9H1, MV9H2, MW3D9, MW3G4, MW3G5, MW3G6, MW3G7, MW3G8, MW3G9, MW3H2, MW3H3, MW3H4, MW3H5, MW3H6, MW3H7, MW3H8, MW3H9, MW4D1, MW4D2, MW4D3, MW4D4, MW4D5, MW4D6, MW4G4, MW4G7, MW4K1, MW4K4, MW4K7, MW4K8, MW4K9, MW4P1, MW4P2, MW4P4, MW4P5, MW4P7, MW4P8, MW4P9, MW5B1, MW5B2, MW5B3, MW5B5, MW5B6, MW5B9, MW5F3, MW5F4, MW5F5, MW5F6, MW5F7, MW5F8, MW5F9, MW5M3, MW5M6, MW5M7, MW5M8, MW5M9, NV4L1, NV4L2, NV4L3, NV4M1, NV4M2, NV4M3, NV4M4, NV4M7, NV4N1, NV4N2, NV4N3, NV4O1, NV4O2, NV5I1, NV5I2, NV5I3, NV5J1, NV5J2, NV5J3, NV5J5, NV5J6, NV5J8, NV5J9, NV5N2, NV5N3, NV5N5, NV5N6, NV5N8, NV5N9, NV7A1, NW1A7, NW1A8, NW1A9, NW1B7, NW1B8, NW1B9, NW1C7, NW1C8, NW1C9, NW1D7, NW1D8, NW1D9

6

Tasmania

LY, KY2, KY3, KY6, LZ1, LZ2, LZ3, MY1, MY4, MY7, MZ1, KX8I, KX8J, KX8K, KX8L, KX8M, KX8N, KX8O, KX8P, KX9I, KX9J, KX9K, KX9L, KX9M, KX9N, KX9O, KX9P, LX7I, LX7J, LX7K, LX7L, LX7M, LX7N, LX7O, LX7P, LX8I, LX8J, LX8K, LX8L, LX8M, LX8N, LX8O, LX8P, LX9I, LX9J, LX9K, LX9L, LX9M, LX9N, LX9O, LX9P, MX7I, MX7J, MX7K, MX7L, MX7M, MX7N, MX7O, MX7P

7

Regional South Australia

IV, FV3, GV1, GV2, GV3, GV6, HV1, HV2, HV3, HV4, HV5, HV6, HV8, HV9, HW3, HW6, IW1, IW2, IW4, IW5, IW7, IW8, IW9, JV1, JV2, JV4, JV5, JV7, JV8, JW1, JW2, JW4, JW5, JW7, JW8, JX1, JX2, JX5, IW3A, IW3B, IW3C, IW3D, IW3G, IW3H, IW6H, IW6I, IW6J, IW6K, IW6L, IW6M, IW6N, IW6O, IW6P, IW3E1, IW3E2, IW3E3, IW3E4, IW3E7, IW3F1, IW3F2, IW3F3, IW3F6, IW3I1, IW3I4, IW3I7, IW3L1, IW3L2, IW3L3, IW3L5, IW3L6, IW3L8, IW3L9, IW3M1, IW3M4, IW3M7, IW6A1, IW6A4, IW6A7, IW6D7, IW6D8, IW6D9, IW6E1, IW6E4, IW6E5, IW6E6, IW6E7, IW6E8, IW6E9, IW6F4, IW6F5, IW6F6, IW6F7, IW6F8, IW6F9, IW6G4, IW6G5, IW6G6, IW6G7, IW6G8, IW6G9

8

Regional Western Australia

CV, DV, AU9, AV9, AW3, BU7, BU8, BV3, BV6, BV7, BV8, BV9, BW1, BW2, BW3, BW5, BW6, CW1, CW2, CW3, CW4, DW1, DW2, DW3, EV1, EV2, EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6, EV7, FV1, FV2, FV4, FV5, AU6I, AU6J, AU6K, AU6L, AU6M, AU6N, AU6O, AU6P, BU4H, BU4I, BU4J, BU4K, BU4L, BU4M, BU4N, BU4O, BU4P, BU5E, BU5F, BU5G, BU5H, BU5I, BU5J, BU5K, BU5L, BU5M, BU5N, BU5O, BU5P, BU9A, BU9B, BU9E, BU9F, BU9I, BU9J, BU9M, BU9N, BV1A, BV1B, BV1C, BV1D, BV2A, BV2B, BV2C, BV2D, BV2G, BV2H, BV2K, BV2L, BV2O, BV2P, BV5C, BV5D, BV5G, BV5H, BV5K, BV5L, BV5O, BV5P, BV1E1, BV1E2, BV1E3, BV1E4, BV1E5, BV1E6, BV1F1, BV1F2, BV1F3, BV1F4, BV1F5, BV1F6, BV1G1, BV1G2, BV1G3, BV1G4, BV1G5, BV1G6, BV1H1, BV1H2, BV1H3, BV1H4, BV1H5, BV1H6, BV2E1, BV2E2, BV2E3, BV2E4, BV2E5, BV2E6, BV2F1, BV2F2, BV2F3, BV2F4, BV2F5, BV2F6, BV4M4, BV4M5, BV4M6, BV4M7, BV4M8, BV4M9, BV4N4, BV4N5, BV4N6, BV4N7, BV4N8, BV4N9, BV4O4, BV4O5, BV4O6, BV4O7, BV4O8, BV4O9, BV4P4, BV4P5, BV4P6, BV4P7, BV4P8, BV4P9, BV5M4, BV5M5, BV5M6, BV5M7, BV5M8, BV5M9, BV5N4, BV5N5, BV5N6, BV5N7, BV5N8, BV5N9

\n```\n\n (3) In this instrument, the associated area for a location is the associated area referred to in column 1 in the following table that includes the location, where each associated area is an area that is to be ascertained as the composite of the areas, described using identifiers from the HCIS, set out in column 2.\n\n> Note 1: The HCIS is a naming convention for areas on the Australian Spectrum Map Grid 2012 (ASMG), which is a system used by the ACMA to define geographic areas for radiocommunications licensing. A document describing the ASMG and HCIS, as well as spatial datasets describing each HCIS area could, at the time this instrument was made, be found on the ACMA’s website (http://www.acma.gov.au).\n\n> Note 2: A tool to convert lists of HCIS area descriptions, such as the lists contained in the below table, into Placemark files to allow these areas to be visualised using computer mapping software could, at the time this instrument was made, be found on the ACMA’s website ([http://www.acma.gov.au](http://www.acma.gov.au)).\n\n```html\n

Areas that are associated areas for the purposes of this instrument

Item

Column 1

Associated area

Column 2

Areas forming the associated area (HCIS identifiers)

1

Adelaide

IW2, IW3, IW5, IW6, IW7, IW8, IW9, JW1, JW4, IV8K, IV8L, IV8N, IV8O, IV8P, IV9I, IV9J, IV9K, IV9L, IV9M, IV9N, IV9O, IV9P, IW1P, IW4D, IW4H, IW4K, IW4L, IW4N, IW4O, IW4P, JW2A, JW2B, JW2E, JW2F, JW2G, JW2I, JW2J, JW2K, JW2M, JW2N, JW2O, JW5A, JW5B, JW5C, JW5E, JW5F, JW5I, JW5J, JW5M, JW7A, JW7B, JW7C, JW7D, JW7E, JW7F, JW7G, JW7I, JV7M, JV7N, JV7O, JV7P, JV8M

2

Brisbane

NT6, NT8, NT9, NU3, NU2B, NU2C, NU2D, NU2F, NU2G, NU2H, NU2L, NT4G, NT4H, NT4K, NT4L, NT4O, NT4P, NT5D, NT5E, NT5F, NT5G, NT5H, NT5I, NT5J, NT5K, NT5L, NT5M, NT5N, NT5O, NT5P, NT7C, NT7D, NT7G, NT7H, NT7K, NT7L, NT7O, NT7P

3

Canberra/Sydney

MW, MV6, MV9, NV4, NV5, NV7, NW1, MV2P, MV3L, MV3M, MV3N, MV3O, MV3P, MV5D, MV5H, MV5L, MV5P, MV8D, MV8H, MV8J, MV8K, MV8L, MV8N, MV8O, MV8P, MX1C, MX1D, MX1H, MX2A, MX2B, MX2C, MX2D, MX2E, MX2F, MX2G, MX2H, MX3A, MX3B, MX3C, MX3D, MX3E, MX3F, MX3G, MX3H, NV1I, NV1J, NV1K, NV1L, NV1M, NV1N, NV1O, NV1P, NV2I, NV2J, NV2K, NV2L, NV2M, NV2N, NV2O, NV2P, NV3I, NV3J, NV3K, NV3L, NV3M, NV3N, NV3O, NV3P

4

Melbourne

KX2, KX3, KX5, KX6, KX8, KX9, LX1, LX4, LX7, LX8, KW8H, KW8I, KW8J, KW8K, KW8L, KW8M, KW8N, KW8O, KW8P, KW9E, KW9F, KW9G, KW9H, KW9I, KW9J, KW9K, KW9L, KW9M, KW9N, KW9O, KW9P, KX1P, KX4D, KX4H, KX4L, KX4P, LW7I, LW7J, LW7M, LW7N, LW7O, LW7P, LX2E, LX2I, LX2M, LX2N, LX2O, LX5A, LX5B, LX5C, LX5D, LX5E, LX5F, LX5G, LX5H, LX5I, LX5J, LX5K, LX5L, LX5M, LX5N, LX5O, LX5P

5

Perth/Western Australia

AU9, AV9, AW3, BU7, BU8, BV1, BV2, BV4, BV5, BV7, BV8, BW1, BW2, BW5, AU6I, AU6J, AU6K, AU6L, AU6M, AU6N, AU6O, AU6P, BU4H, BU4I, BU4J, BU4K, BU4L, BU4M, BU4N, BU4O, BU4P, BU5E, BU5F, BU5G, BU5H, BU5I, BU5J, BU5K, BU5L, BU5M, BU5N, BU5O, BU5P, BU9A, BU9B, BU9E, BU9F, BU9I, BU9J, BU9M, BU9N, BV3A, BV3B, BV3E, BV3F, BV3I, BV3J, BV3M, BV3N, BV6A, BV6B, BV6E, BV6F, BV6I, BV6J, BV6M, BV6N, BV9A, BV9B, BV9E, BV9F, BV9I, BV9J, BV9M, BV9N, BW3A

\n```","sortOrder":5}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The instrument is narrowly focused: it directs ACMA to impose spectrum‑use limits for allocations in the 3.6 GHz band that arise from three specific re‑allocation declarations. It does not broaden the ACMA’s powers beyond allocation procedure setting under subsection 60(1) of the Radiocommunications Act, nor does it apply to other bands or to allocations outside the named re‑allocation declarations. Therefore the scope remains aligned with its evident original purpose of limiting concentration in that re‑allocation exercise."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive defined terms with multi‑tiered content (e.g. 'associate' with multiple subparagraphs and cross‑references) (s4)","Multiple cross‑references to other instruments (three named re‑allocation declarations) and to the Radiocommunications Act (s3, s4, s5)","Conditional counting rules and exceptions (rounding non‑5 MHz holdings; ignoring holdings covering <15% population) (s5(2)(d)-(e), s5(3)-(4))","Large, detailed HCIS tables enumerating many geographic identifiers for metropolitan, regional and associated areas (s6 and attached tables) — administratively heavy","Dependence on external ACMA documents (HCIS – List of Population, Australian Spectrum Map Grid 2012) fixed \"as they existed\" when made (s4 note, s5(3) note)","Complex \"specified group of persons\" aggregation rules, including treatment of common members and a carve‑out for certain company secretary arrangements (s4(3))","Interplay between types of licences and how 'use' is defined (inclusion of PTS licence for PMTS Class B but exclusion of other apparatus licences) (s4)","Many spatial and population aggregation steps needed to determine applicability of caps across different licence footprints (s5(4), s6)","Potential for factual disputes requiring GIS, census, and contractual evidence to determine associational links and whether agreements are 'relevant agreements' (s4)","Hard numeric caps but with arithmetic adjustments (rounding) that require careful conversion between MHz holdings and licence instruments (s5(2)(c)-(d))"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)\n\n- Directs the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) to set allocation procedures that impose per-entity spectrum usage limits for licences allocated in the 3.6 GHz band (3575–3700 MHz). (s3, s5(1), s4)\n- Specifically limits any person or a \"specified group of persons\" to no more than:\n - 60 MHz of the 3.6 GHz band in each metropolitan area; and\n - 80 MHz of the 3.6 GHz band in each regional area. (s5(2)(c)(i)-(ii))\n- Applies these limits only to allocations that are enabled by the three named re‑allocation declarations for the 3.6 GHz band. (s4: relevant re‑allocation declaration; s5(2)(a))\n- Provides rules for counting and rounding previously held spectrum (round down to the nearest 5 MHz multiple if holdings are not a 5 MHz multiple) and for ignoring holdings that cover only very small populations within a regional area (population < 15% of that regional area). (s5(2)(d)-(e), s5(3), s5(4))\n- Identifies the geographic units used to measure limits: defined metropolitan areas, regional areas and \"associated areas\" using the Hierarchical Cell Identification Scheme (HCIS) and lists of HCIS identifiers. These HCIS lists determine the precise boundaries for each designated area. (s4, s6, attached tables)\n\n\nWho this affects\n\n- The ACMA: required to prepare allocation procedures consistent with this Direction (s5(1)).\n- Current and prospective spectrum licence holders (carriers and other entities) seeking spectrum in the 3.6 GHz band that is being re‑allocated under the named declarations. The limits apply to what a person or a \"specified group of persons\" may \"use\" as a result of those allocations. (s4: definitions; s5)\n- \"Specified group of persons\": a person together with their \"associates\" (a detailed definition covering directors, related bodies corporate, owners of ≥15% voting power/shares, spouses, de facto partners, and parties to certain commercial agreements). That group definition makes limits apply to economically connected parties (s4: associate; specified group of persons).\n\n\nHow it works in practice\n\n- The ACMA must write allocation procedures under the Radiocommunications Act that enforce the MHz caps per person/group for each designated area named in the instrument. (s5(1)-(2))\n- When counting how much spectrum a person may use, the ACMA will add up all parts of the 3.6 GHz band the person (and their associates) are entitled to use within the relevant designated area (metro or regional), using the HCIS definitions to decide geographic scope. (s4; s6)\n- If existing entitlements before allocation are not a multiple of 5 MHz, those entitlements are rounded down to the nearest 5 MHz multiple for the purpose of applying the cap. (s5(2)(d))\n- If part of a licence covers only small population pockets within a regional area (aggregate < 15% of that regional area's population, per the HCIS population list), those parts can be ignored for the cap calculation. (s5(2)(e), s5(3))\n- The instrument cross‑references three re‑allocation declarations; the Direction only controls allocations that arise because of those specific declarations. (s4: relevant re‑allocation declaration)\n\n\nStated purpose (as claimed) and testing practical trade‑offs\n\n- Purpose claim: The Direction is framed to prevent single parties or tightly connected groups from acquiring excessive contiguous capacity in the 3.6 GHz band when that band is re‑allocated (i.e. to limit spectrum concentration). This is reflected by the per‑area MHz limits and by grouping rules for associates. (s5)\n\n- Costs, incentives and trade‑offs:\n - Who pays/loses choice: prospective licensees or groups of related licensees face hard caps (60 MHz metro, 80 MHz regional). That restricts how much spectrum one entity or tightly linked group can win or be allocated. (s5(2)(c))\n - Market effects: caps constrain single‑firm accumulation of spectrum and therefore change bidding and commercial strategies—firms may need to split holdings, partner differently, or bid for separate geographic footprints. (s5, s4 definitions of specified group)\n - Transaction design and circumvention risk: detailed \"associate\" and \"relevant agreement\" definitions mean commercial contracting (spectrum leases, sharing or acquisition agreements) will be scrutinised; parties may try to restructure relationships or agreements to fall outside the definitions — creating compliance and legal‑interpretation risk. (s4: associate; relevant agreement)\n - Administrative burden: ACMA must apply detailed HCIS lists and population data to map holdings, perform rounding and evaluate which locations count toward caps. That requires accurate GIS and census‑based calculations and may increase implementation complexity. (s6; s5(3)-(4))\n - Precision loss from rounding: the rule to round down non‑5 MHz multiples reduces counted holdings (may reduce a holder's counted MHz relative to actual narrow fractional holdings) but can also render small quantum spectrum effectively unusable for cap relief. (s5(2)(d))\n - Concentrated benefits vs diffuse costs: entities that already hold spectrum near the caps could be materially affected (concentrated cost), while the administrative and market‑design effects are spread across bidders and regulators (diffuse). (s5; s4)\n - Regulatory dependence on external documents: the Direction relies on ACMA HCIS and population documents \"as they existed at the time this instrument was made\"; changes or disputes about those underlying datasets could create uncertainty about boundaries and population calculations. (s4: HCIS; s5(3) note)\n\n\nKey implementation details to watch (practical points)\n\n- The caps apply per designated area defined by lists of HCIS identifiers (the tables in s6). Firms must map their licence locations to those HCIS units. (s6)\n- The instrument treats use under certain apparatus/PTS licences as \"use\" for counting purposes (see s4: use). That affects how temporary or class licences are treated.\n- The 15% population threshold for ignoring small‑population parts of regional licences is a sharp binary rule; holders and ACMA will need to calculate aggregate populations per HCIS lists to determine applicability. (s5(3))\n\n\nPrimary legal hooks (sections cited)\n\n- Direction-making authority: subsection 60(10) of the Radiocommunications Act (instrument made under that power) and direction to ACMA to determine allocation procedures (s3, s5(1)).\n- Caps: s5(2)(c)(i)-(ii).\n- Associate/specifed group definition and \"use\" definition: s4.\n- Rounding and population exclusion rules: s5(2)(d)-(e), s5(3)-(4).\n- Geographic definitions (metropolitan, regional, associated areas using HCIS lists): s6.\n\n"},"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":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation maintains its original narrow purpose: setting spectrum acquisition limits for the 3.6 GHz band auction. While the geographic definitions are extensive, they serve the core function of defining where the caps apply rather than expanding into unrelated policy areas."},"complexity_factors":["15 defined terms in the interpretation section, including recursive definitions of 'associate' that span individuals, corporations, and agreements","Extensive cross-referencing to external documents: three separate re-allocation declarations, the Radiocommunications (Interpretation) Determination 2015, the HCIS population document, and the Australian Spectrum Map Grid 2012","Nested conditional logic in section 5(2)(d) and (e) with rounding rules and 'insignificant population' thresholds (15% test)","Three large data tables containing hundreds of HCIS grid identifiers that define geographic boundaries for 6 metropolitan areas, 8 regional areas, and 5 associated areas","Complex group aggregation rules in 'specified group of persons' with an exception for company secretaries in subsection 4(3) that requires four separate conditions to be met simultaneously","Dual frequency band definitions: '3.6 GHz band' (3575-3700 MHz) versus 'relevant band' (3400-3700 MHz) used for calculating limits"],"plain_english_summary":"This ministerial direction tells ACMA how to set auction rules for 3.6 GHz 5G spectrum, imposing purchase caps to protect competition. It limits how much spectrum a single bidder (including related entities and certain associates) can acquire, with tighter caps in metropolitan areas and larger caps for regional zones. The measure affects telecommunications companies seeking 5G licences and aims to prevent spectrum hoarding that could harm consumers and competitors."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-spectrum-licence-limits-3-6-ghz-band-direction-2018","history":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-spectrum-licence-limits-3-6-ghz-band-direction-2018/history","analysis":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-spectrum-licence-limits-3-6-ghz-band-direction-2018/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-spectrum-licence-limits-3-6-ghz-band-direction-2018/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-spectrum-licence-limits-3-6-ghz-band-direction-2018/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-spectrum-licence-limits-3-6-ghz-band-direction-2018/documents"}}