{"id":"F2011L02180","name":"Radiocommunications (Spectrum Re-allocation) Declaration No. 1 of 2011","slug":"radiocommunications-spectrum-re-allocation-declaration-no-1-of-2011","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":87644,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2011L02180-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Radiocommunications (Spectrum Re-allocation) Declaration No. 1 of 2011","content":"Commonwealth of Australia\n\nRadiocommunications Act 1992\n\nRadiocommunications (Spectrum Re-allocation) Declaration No. 1 of 2011\n\nI, STEPHEN MICHAEL CONROY, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, having had regard to a recommendation given to me by the Australian Communications and Media Authority under subsection 153F(1) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 in relation to specified parts of the spectrum, make this Declaration under subsection 153B(1) of that Act.\n\nDated 1 November 2011\n\nSTEPHEN MICHAEL CONROY\n\nMinister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy\n\n\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\\_\n\n1 Name of Declaration\n\nThis Declaration is the Radiocommunications (Spectrum Re-allocation) Declaration No. 1 of 2011.\n\n2 Commencement\n\nThis Declaration commences on the day after it is registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.\n\n3 Definitions\n\nIn this Declaration:\n\n> Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1992.\n\n> Mid West Radio Quiet Zone means the area bounded by the coordinates specified in Table B of the Schedule.\n\n> Re-allocation deadline has the meaning given to that term by section 153B of the Act.\n\n> Re-allocation period has the meaning given to that term by section 153B of the Act.\n\n> 4 Spectrum Re-allocation\n\n(1) The following parts of the spectrum are subject to re-allocation under Part 3.6 of the Act in relation to the re-allocation period:\n\n(a) the part of the spectrum from 703 MHz to 748 MHz;\n\n(b) the part of the spectrum from 758 MHz to 803 MHz.\n\n(2) For the parts of the spectrum mentioned in subsection (1), this Declaration applies to the specified area (the National Area), being the area bounded by the coordinates specified in Table A of the Schedule, but excluding the Mid West Radio Quiet Zone.\n\n(3) For the parts of the spectrum mentioned in subsection (1) the re‑allocation period begins on 2 November 2011 and ends on 31 December 2014 for each area specified in subsection (2).\n\n(4) For the parts of the spectrum mentioned in subsection (1), the re‑allocation deadline is 31 December 2013.\n\n(5) Each part of the spectrum mentioned in subsection (1) may be re‑allocated only by issuing spectrum licences under Subdivision B of Division 1 of Part 3.2 of the Act.\n\n(6) In subsection (1), each frequency band includes all frequencies that are greater than the lower frequency, up to and including the higher frequency.\n\nSchedule\n\nEach Area described in the tables below is a polygon bounded by a line joining each of the following coordinates of latitude and longitude. The datum used for coordinates in this Schedule is the Geocentric Datum of Australia 1994.\n\nTable A: Outer boundary of the National Area\n\n| Row | ° South   | ° East     |\n| --- | --------- | ---------- |\n| 1   | 24.998757 | 112.001377 |\n| 2   | 24.998744 | 113.001346 |\n| 3   | 23.998738 | 113.001340 |\n| 4   | 22.998729 | 113.001347 |\n| 5   | 21.998721 | 113.001338 |\n| 6   | 20.998713 | 113.001332 |\n| 7   | 20.998705 | 114.001326 |\n| 8   | 20.998698 | 115.001297 |\n| 9   | 19.998688 | 115.001319 |\n| 10  | 18.998681 | 115.001312 |\n| 11  | 18.998673 | 116.001310 |\n| 12  | 18.998666 | 117.001309 |\n| 13  | 18.998658 | 118.001306 |\n| 14  | 18.998650 | 119.001304 |\n| 15  | 18.998642 | 120.001301 |\n| 16  | 18.998630 | 121.001292 |\n| 17  | 17.998630 | 121.001289 |\n| 18  | 16.998626 | 121.001281 |\n| 19  | 15.998622 | 121.001274 |\n| 20  | 15.998616 | 122.001271 |\n| 21  | 15.998607 | 123.001262 |\n| 22  | 15.998601 | 124.001256 |\n| 23  | 14.998601 | 124.001255 |\n| 24  | 13.998599 | 124.001249 |\n| 25  | 12.998597 | 124.001244 |\n| 26  | 12.998592 | 125.001239 |\n| 27  | 12.998586 | 126.001234 |\n| 28  | 12.998581 | 127.001229 |\n| 29  | 12.998576 | 128.001224 |\n| 30  | 12.998571 | 129.001218 |\n| 31  | 12.998580 | 130.001200 |\n| 32  | 11.998567 | 130.001205 |\n| 33  | 10.998568 | 130.001202 |\n| 34  | 10.998567 | 131.001191 |\n| 35  | 10.998568 | 132.001181 |\n| 36  | 9.998561  | 132.001184 |\n| 37  | 9.998558  | 133.001177 |\n| 38  | 9.998554  | 134.001170 |\n| 39  | 9.998550  | 135.001162 |\n| 40  | 9.998546  | 136.001154 |\n| 41  | 9.998543  | 137.001145 |\n| 42  | 9.998539  | 138.001137 |\n| 43  | 9.998535  | 139.001128 |\n| 44  | 9.998532  | 140.001118 |\n| 45  | 9.998528  | 141.001108 |\n| 46  | 9.998510  | 142.001113 |\n| 47  | 9.998506  | 143.001104 |\n| 48  | 10.998494 | 143.001114 |\n| 49  | 10.998513 | 144.001081 |\n| 50  | 11.998507 | 144.001084 |\n| 51  | 12.998499 | 144.001091 |\n| 52  | 13.998493 | 144.001090 |\n| 53  | 13.998490 | 145.001081 |\n| 54  | 13.998488 | 146.001070 |\n| 55  | 14.998483 | 146.001074 |\n| 56  | 15.998478 | 146.001078 |\n| 57  | 15.998474 | 147.001067 |\n| 58  | 16.998469 | 147.001072 |\n| 59  | 17.998465 | 147.001078 |\n| 60  | 18.998465 | 147.001089 |\n| 61  | 18.998456 | 148.001071 |\n| 62  | 18.998451 | 149.001058 |\n| 63  | 19.998451 | 149.001064 |\n| 64  | 19.998441 | 150.001050 |\n| 65  | 20.998438 | 150.001056 |\n| 66  | 20.998432 | 151.001042 |\n| 67  | 21.998429 | 151.001049 |\n| 68  | 22.998434 | 151.001058 |\n| 69  | 22.998420 | 152.001041 |\n| 70  | 23.998428 | 152.001046 |\n| 71  | 23.998411 | 153.001033 |\n| 72  | 23.998405 | 154.001018 |\n| 73  | 24.998402 | 154.001025 |\n| 74  | 25.998401 | 154.001033 |\n| 75  | 26.998397 | 154.001041 |\n| 76  | 27.998398 | 154.001049 |\n| 77  | 28.998397 | 154.001059 |\n| 78  | 29.998395 | 154.001068 |\n| 79  | 30.998395 | 154.001078 |\n| 80  | 31.998395 | 154.001088 |\n| 81  | 31.998405 | 153.001103 |\n| 82  | 32.998404 | 153.001116 |\n| 83  | 32.998415 | 152.001132 |\n| 84  | 33.998414 | 152.001145 |\n| 85  | 34.998416 | 152.001158 |\n| 86  | 34.998426 | 151.001172 |\n| 87  | 35.998427 | 151.001188 |\n| 88  | 36.998431 | 151.001203 |\n| 89  | 37.998434 | 151.001218 |\n| 90  | 37.998444 | 150.001236 |\n| 91  | 37.998457 | 149.001255 |\n| 92  | 38.998459 | 149.001268 |\n| 93  | 39.998464 | 149.001286 |\n| 94  | 40.998469 | 149.001304 |\n| 95  | 41.998475 | 149.001323 |\n| 96  | 42.998481 | 149.001343 |\n| 97  | 43.998488 | 149.001364 |\n| 98  | 43.998499 | 148.001382 |\n| 99  | 43.998511 | 147.001401 |\n| 100 | 43.998522 | 146.001418 |\n| 101 | 43.998534 | 145.001436 |\n| 102 | 42.998527 | 145.001413 |\n| 103 | 41.998522 | 145.001384 |\n| 104 | 41.998531 | 144.001408 |\n| 105 | 40.998524 | 144.001387 |\n| 106 | 40.998536 | 143.001403 |\n| 107 | 39.998529 | 143.001383 |\n| 108 | 38.998522 | 143.001358 |\n| 109 | 38.998534 | 142.001379 |\n| 110 | 38.998546 | 141.001393 |\n| 111 | 38.998557 | 140.001407 |\n| 112 | 37.998545 | 140.001384 |\n| 113 | 37.998562 | 139.001401 |\n| 114 | 36.998554 | 139.001381 |\n| 115 | 36.998567 | 138.001396 |\n| 116 | 36.998578 | 137.001408 |\n| 117 | 36.998590 | 136.001420 |\n| 118 | 35.998576 | 136.001402 |\n| 119 | 35.998595 | 135.001413 |\n| 120 | 34.998583 | 135.001401 |\n| 121 | 33.998570 | 135.001397 |\n| 122 | 33.998586 | 134.001398 |\n| 123 | 32.998580 | 134.001383 |\n| 124 | 32.998595 | 133.001387 |\n| 125 | 32.998608 | 132.001394 |\n| 126 | 31.998594 | 132.001397 |\n| 127 | 31.998606 | 131.001396 |\n| 128 | 31.998614 | 130.001404 |\n| 129 | 31.998623 | 129.001413 |\n| 130 | 32.998642 | 129.001419 |\n| 131 | 32.998653 | 128.001427 |\n| 132 | 32.998664 | 127.001435 |\n| 133 | 32.998675 | 126.001445 |\n| 134 | 32.998686 | 125.001456 |\n| 135 | 33.998699 | 125.001467 |\n| 136 | 33.998715 | 124.001479 |\n| 137 | 34.998719 | 124.001489 |\n| 138 | 34.998731 | 123.001496 |\n| 139 | 34.998749 | 122.001505 |\n| 140 | 34.998756 | 121.001505 |\n| 141 | 34.998769 | 120.001510 |\n| 142 | 34.998788 | 119.001513 |\n| 143 | 35.998793 | 119.001533 |\n| 144 | 35.998806 | 118.001537 |\n| 145 | 35.998819 | 117.001541 |\n| 146 | 35.998832 | 116.001543 |\n| 147 | 34.998831 | 116.001528 |\n| 148 | 34.998841 | 115.001532 |\n| 149 | 34.998846 | 114.001528 |\n| 150 | 33.998836 | 114.001511 |\n| 151 | 32.998821 | 114.001492 |\n| 152 | 32.998823 | 115.001497 |\n| 153 | 31.998805 | 115.001478 |\n| 154 | 30.998801 | 115.001459 |\n| 155 | 30.998798 | 114.001458 |\n| 156 | 29.998789 | 114.001441 |\n| 157 | 28.998773 | 114.001422 |\n| 158 | 28.998787 | 113.001428 |\n| 159 | 27.998776 | 113.001417 |\n| 160 | 26.998768 | 113.001394 |\n| 161 | 25.998754 | 113.001362 |\n| 162 | 25.998767 | 112.001389 |\n| 163 | 24.998757 | 112.001377 |\n\n  \nTable B: Mid West Radio Quiet Zone\n\n| Row | ° South   | ° East     |\n| --- | --------- | ---------- |\n| 1   | 25.998719 | 115.918031 |\n| 2   | 25.998712 | 116.668032 |\n| 3   | 25.998708 | 117.418029 |\n| 4   | 26.665385 | 117.418042 |\n| 5   | 27.415393 | 117.418053 |\n| 6   | 27.415394 | 116.668053 |\n| 7   | 27.415397 | 115.918054 |\n| 8   | 26.665393 | 115.918047 |\n| 9   | 25.998719 | 115.918031 |","sortOrder":0}],"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"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This declaration serves its original narrow purpose: triggering the re-allocation mechanism under Part 3.6 of the Radiocommunications Act for specific spectrum bands. It does not expand beyond the statutory framework for spectrum re-allocation."},"complexity_factors":["Short, single-purpose instrument (4 operative sections plus definitions)","Only 4 defined terms, all referencing external definitions or simple geographic descriptions","Straightforward conditional logic: applies to specific frequency bands, specific area, specific time period","Geographic complexity: 163 coordinate pairs defining the national boundary and 9 coordinate pairs for the excluded zone, but these are purely descriptive data rather than legal complexity","No nested exceptions or cross-references beyond basic references to the parent Act (Radiocommunications Act 1992)","Single mechanism for re-allocation (spectrum licences only)"],"plain_english_summary":"This declaration re-allocates 703–748 MHz and 758–803 MHz from their prior uses so the bands can be licensed to telecommunications operators via competitive processes between 2 Nov 2011 and 31 Dec 2014 (with certain actions by 31 Dec 2013). It applies across Australia except the Mid West Radio Quiet Zone protecting the Murchison radio-astronomy site. It enabled the digital‑dividend shift to mobile broadband, affecting telcos, incumbent users, and radio astronomy."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This Declaration is narrowly focused and implements a specific statutory power in the Radiocommunications Act: it designates particular frequency ranges and geographic area(s) for re‑allocation under Part 3.6. It does not broaden the Act's re‑allocation framework or add unrelated subject matter; rather it applies the existing re‑allocation mechanism to the specified bands and areas. In that sense it does not represent a substantive change of scope beyond the original purpose of enabling re‑allocation under the Act."},"complexity_factors":["Short instrument with 4 defined terms in the Definitions section","Direct cross‑references to multiple provisions of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (subsections 153B(1), 153F(1), Part 3.6, Subdivision B of Division 1 of Part 3.2) — reliance on external provisions for mechanics","Two frequency bands specified (703–748 MHz and 758–803 MHz) with inclusive endpoints (section 4(6))","Clear time limits: re‑allocation period (2 Nov 2011–31 Dec 2014) and re‑allocation deadline (31 Dec 2013) (sections 4(3)–(4))","Geographic complexity concentrated in the Schedule: Table A contains 163 coordinate points defining the National Area polygon; Table B contains 9 points defining the Mid West Radio Quiet Zone","One explicit exclusion (Mid West Radio Quiet Zone) from the otherwise National Area","A single procedural restriction: re‑allocation may occur only by issuing spectrum licences under the specified subdivision (section 4(5))"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)\n\n- This Declaration identifies two specific blocks of radio spectrum — 703–748 MHz and 758–803 MHz — and places them under the re‑allocation process in Part 3.6 of the Radiocommunications Act 1992 (see section 4(1)).\n- The Declaration says where that re‑allocation will apply geographically: to a large polygon called the \"National Area\" (coordinates listed in Table A of the Schedule), but it specifically excludes the \"Mid West Radio Quiet Zone\" (coordinates in Table B) (see section 4(2)).\n- It sets the re‑allocation period as beginning 2 November 2011 and ending 31 December 2014, and it sets a separate re‑allocation deadline of 31 December 2013 (sections 4(3)–(4)).\n- The Declaration requires that those bands can be re‑allocated only by issuing spectrum licences under Subdivision B of Division 1 of Part 3.2 of the Act (section 4(5)).\n- It confirms that the frequency ranges are inclusive of the end frequencies (section 4(6)).\n- The instrument commences the day after registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments (section 2).\n\nWho decides and who is affected\n\n- Decision‑makers: the Minister (acting under subsection 153B of the Radiocommunications Act) makes the Declaration after receiving an ACMA (Australian Communications and Media Authority) recommendation (as stated at the head of the instrument). The Declaration then directs how ACMA and the Minister must treat the named bands for re‑allocation under Part 3.6.\n- Affected parties: existing users of the 703–748 MHz and 758–803 MHz bands within the National Area (except the Mid West Radio Quiet Zone) may be required to migrate, surrender or have their existing use re‑planned because the bands are being put into a formal re‑allocation process. Prospective spectrum licence applicants (telecom carriers, broadcasters or other radio services) are affected because the bands will be available only through spectrum licences under the cited licensing subdivision.\n\nWhy it matters (stated purpose and practical implications)\n\n- The instrument implements a statutory re‑allocation of spectrum that, in practice, is used to move particular frequency bands from their prior arrangements (eg, broadcasting or other fixed services) into a licensing regime intended to make them available for new licensed uses (commonly mobile broadband services). The instrument itself records it was made after an ACMA recommendation (head note).\n\nPractical trade‑offs, costs and incentives (what the Declaration creates or changes)\n\n- Who pays and who gains: people who obtain new spectrum licences will bear the cost of licence acquisition (administrative fees/auctions and build‑out costs). Current incumbents in the bands may face relocation costs, technical transition costs and potential loss of the value of existing usage. The Declaration does not itself set compensation or transition mechanisms — those follow from the Act and from ACMA/Ministerial processes triggered by this Declaration.\n- Implementation and administrative steps required: ACMA and the Minister must run the re‑allocation process under Part 3.6 (including any consultation, planning and licence allocation procedure provided for by the Act and Subdivision B of Part 3.2). The Schedule contains detailed coordinates (Table A: 163 vertex points defining the National Area polygon; Table B: 9 points for the Mid West Radio Quiet Zone), which requires precise geographic mapping to know where the re‑allocation applies.\n- Timing constraints and operational risk: the Declaration fixes a re‑allocation period (2 Nov 2011–31 Dec 2014) and an earlier deadline for re‑allocation activities (31 Dec 2013). Those dates create a timetable within which ACMA and affected parties must act; compressed timetables can increase transition costs or impose rushed technical planning.\n- Limits on allocation method: by requiring allocation \"only by issuing spectrum licences under Subdivision B of Division 1 of Part 3.2\" (section 4(5)), the Declaration channels allocation into the formal licensing route set out in the Act (for example, competitive allocation processes where the Act provides them). That limits ad hoc or alternate assignment methods for these bands.\n\nCompliance burden and discretion\n\n- Compliance burdens fall mainly on existing spectrum users (needing to adapt or move) and on prospective licensees (administrative/financial). The Declaration itself exercises a statutory power to trigger re‑allocation; the detailed migration, compensation, technical and licensing rules are implemented under the Act and ACMA processes, so administrative discretion and rule‑making will be important downstream but are not set out here.\n\nConcentrated benefits and diffuse costs\n\n- The direct, concentrated benefit is to whoever secures licences for the re‑allocated bands (commercial gain from new use). The costs (transition, coverage gaps, planning) will be borne by incumbent users and potentially by consumers or places temporarily losing services — those costs are more diffuse and depend on the specific transition arrangements ACMA and the Minister adopt.\n\nWhat this Declaration does not do\n\n- It does not itself grant licences, set licence conditions or specify compensation/transition arrangements. Those are handled under other provisions of the Act and by ACMA processes referenced by this Declaration.\n\nKey textual pointers\n\n- Bands subject to re‑allocation: section 4(1).\n- Geographic application and exclusion (National Area; Mid West Radio Quiet Zone): section 4(2) and Schedule (Table A and Table B).\n- Re‑allocation period and deadline: sections 4(3)–(4).\n- Method of re‑allocation (spectrum licences under Subdivision B...): section 4(5).\n- Inclusivity of endpoints of frequency bands: section 4(6).\n\nSource claim and testing it\n\n- The instrument records it was made on the basis of an ACMA recommendation (head note). That explains the stated legal trigger. The Declaration implements a narrow statutory mechanism: it designates bands and places them into the Act's re‑allocation process. The costs, incentives and transitional details it creates are real (licence costs to new entrants; relocation costs to incumbents; administrative work for ACMA), but the Declaration itself leaves the concrete allocation method, migration arrangements and any compensation to subsequent steps under the Act and ACMA procedures (sections cited above)."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-spectrum-re-allocation-declaration-no-1-of-2011","history":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-spectrum-re-allocation-declaration-no-1-of-2011/history","analysis":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-spectrum-re-allocation-declaration-no-1-of-2011/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-spectrum-re-allocation-declaration-no-1-of-2011/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-spectrum-re-allocation-declaration-no-1-of-2011/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-spectrum-re-allocation-declaration-no-1-of-2011/documents"}}