{"id":"F2023L00279","name":"Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference - 2.5 GHz Mid Band Gap) Determination 2023","slug":"radiocommunications-unacceptable-levels-of-interference-2-5-ghz-mid-band-gap-determination-2023","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":103928,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2023L00279-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 (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 2.5 GHz Mid Band Gap) Determination 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 subsection 145(4) of the Act.","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal of the Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference — 2.5 GHz Mid-band Gap) Determination 2012","content":"#### 4 Repeal of the Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 2.5 GHz Mid-band Gap) Determination 2012\n\n  The Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 2.5 GHz Mid-band Gap) Determination 2012 \\[F2012L02553\\] is repealed.","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions","content":"#### 5 Definitions\n\n  (1) In this instrument, unless the contrary intention appears:\n\n> 2.5 GHz mid band gap means the frequency band 2570 MHz to 2620 MHz.\n\n> 2.5 GHz mid band gap spectrum licence means a spectrum licence that authorises the operation of radiocommunications devices in the 2.5 GHz mid band gap.\n\n> Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1992.\n\n> Australian Spectrum Map Grid means the Australian Spectrum Map Grid 2012, published by the ACMA.\n\n> Note: The Australian Spectrum Map Grid is available, free of charge, from the ACMA’s website at [www.acma.gov.au](http://www.acma.gov.au).\n\n> Australian territorial sea baseline means the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea, or any part of the territorial sea, is to be measured under section 7 of the Seas and Submerged Lands Act 1973.\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> DEM-3S means the dataset:\n\n    (a) with the citation “Gallant, J., Wilson, N., Tickle, P.K., Dowling, T., Read, A. 2009. 3 Second SRTM Derived Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Version 1.0. Record 1.0. Geoscience Australia, Canberra”; and\n    (b) given the persistent identifier [http://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/69888](http://pid.geoscience.gov.au/dataset/ga/69888);\n    published by Geoscience Australia.\n\n> Note: DEM-3S is available, free of charge, from Geoscience Australia using the persistent identifier. More information about DEM-3S is available, free of charge, from the Geoscience Australia website at [www.ga.gov.au](http://www.ga.gov.au).\n\n> DEM-3S cell means an individual height element of the DEM-3S.\n\n> device boundary: see item 1 of Schedule 2.\n\n> device boundary criterion: see item 2 of Schedule 2.\n\n> effective antenna height: see Schedule 3.\n\n> EIRP, in relation to a radiocommunications device, means the equivalent isotropically radiated power of the device.\n\n> emission designator: see section 7.\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> GDA94 means the geodetic datum designated as the “Geocentric Datum of Australia (GDA)”, gazetted in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. GN 35 on 6 September 1995, as existing on that date.\n\n> Note: Gazette No. GN 35 is available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at [www.legislation.gov.au](http://www.legislation.gov.au).\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> group of radiocommunications receivers: see section 9.\n\n> group of radiocommunications transmitters: see section 8.\n\n> HCIS means the cell grouping hierarchy scheme used to describe areas in the Australian Spectrum Map Grid.\n\n> Note: HCIS stands for hierarchical cell identification scheme.\n\n> HCIS identifier means an identifier used to describe an area in the HCIS.\n\n> horizontally radiated power, for a radiocommunications device, means the sum of:\n\n    (a) the maximum true mean power, in dBm per specified rectangular bandwidth, at the antenna connector, that is located within the frequency band of the spectrum licence authorising the operation of the radiocommunications device; and\n    (b) the antenna gain relative to an isotropic antenna in a specified direction in the horizontal plane containing the phase centre of the antenna used with the radiocommunications device, in dBi.\n\n> ITU-R Recommendation means a recommendation made by the Radiocommunication Sector of the International Telecommunication Union.\n\n> Note: ITU-R Recommendations are available, free of charge, from the website of the International Telecommunication Union at [www.itu.int](http://www.itu.int).\n\n> location: see Schedule 1.\n\n> maximum true mean power means the true mean power measured in a specified rectangular bandwidth that is located within a specified frequency band, such that the true mean power is the maximum of the true mean powers produced.\n\n> Note: The power within the specified rectangular bandwidth is normally established by taking measurements using either an adjacent channel power meter or a spectrum analyser. Estimation of the accuracy of the measuring equipment, the measurement protocol and any adjustments made to measurements to take account of practical filter shape factors should be in accordance with good engineering practice.\n\n> mean power means the average power measured during an interval of time that is at least 10 times the period of the lowest modulation frequency.\n\n> occupied bandwidth, in relation to a radiocommunications transmitter, means the width of a frequency band having upper and lower limits that contain 99% of the true mean power of the transmitter’s emission at any time.\n\n> Radio Regulations means the document titled ‘Radio Regulations’, published by the International Telecommunication Union.\n\n> Note 1: The Radio Regulations are not regulations made by the Governor-General under the Act.\n\n> Note 2: The Radio Regulations are available, free of charge, from the International Telecommunication Union’s website at [www.itu.int](http://www.itu.int).\n\n> Recommendation ITU-R P.525-4 means the ITU-R Recommendation “P.525-4 Calculation of free-space attenuation”.\n\n> Note: The ITU-R Recommendations are available, free of charge, from the International Telecommunication Union’s website at [www.itu.int](http://www.itu.int).\n\n> Recommendation ITU-R P.526-15 means the ITU-R Recommendation “P.526-15 Propagation by diffraction”.\n\n> Note: The ITU-R Recommendations are available, free of charge, from the International Telecommunication Union’s website at [www.itu.int](http://www.itu.int).\n\n> Recommendation ITU-R P.2108-0 means the ITU-R Recommendation “P.2108-0 Prediction of clutter loss”.\n\n> Note: The ITU-R Recommendations are available, free of charge, from the International Telecommunication Union’s website at [www.itu.int](http://www.itu.int).\n\n> true mean power means:\n\n    (a) if an unmodulated carrier is present – the mean power measured while the unmodulated carrier is present; or\n    (b) if an unmodulated carrier is not present – the mean power measured while transmitted information is present.\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) core condition;\n    (c) frequency band;\n    (d) interference;\n    (e) radiocommunications device;\n    (f) radiocommunications receiver;\n    (g) radiocommunications transmitter;\n    (h) radio emission;\n    (i) Register;\n    (j) spectrum licence.\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 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":"Emission designator","content":"#### 7 Emission designator\n\n  (1) For the purpose of this instrument, the designation of a radiocommunications transmitter’s emission (emission designator) is determined using the methods specified in the Radio Regulations.\n  (2) For the purpose of determining the emission designator of a radiocommunications transmitter using the methods specified in the Radio Regulations, references in the Radio Regulations to “necessary bandwidth” for a given class of emission are taken to be references to the occupied bandwidth of the transmitter.\n\n> Note: At the time the ACMA made this instrument, Appendix 1 of the Radio Regulations set out the method to be used for determining the designation of a radiocommunications transmitter’s emission.","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Group of radiocommunications transmitters","content":"#### 8 Group of radiocommunications transmitters\n\n  (1) For the purposes of this instrument, and subject to subsection (2), two or more fixed transmitters are a group of radiocommunications transmitters if:\n    (a) each transmitter has the same centre frequency and emission designator; and\n    (b) each transmitter is operated for the purpose of communicating with the same radiocommunications receiver or group of radiocommunications receivers; and\n    (c) each transmitter has an antenna of the same type, model and manufacture; and\n    (d) the antenna used with each transmitter is located on the same structure and within 20 metres of the phase centre of all antennas for the other transmitters within the group of radiocommunications transmitters; and\n    (e) the identification number assigned by the ACMA to the antenna used with each radiocommunications transmitter is the same.\n\n> Note: See section 144 of the Act, and any instrument made under that section, for the information that must be included in the Register about a spectrum licence and each radiocommunications device operated under a spectrum licence.\n\n  (2) A radiocommunications transmitter must not belong to more than one group of radiocommunications transmitters.\n\n> Note: If a radiocommunications transmitter is capable of belonging to more than one group of radiocommunications transmitters, the spectrum licensee or authorised third party may nominate one group for the transmitter.","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"9","sectionType":"section","heading":"Group of radiocommunications receivers","content":"#### 9 Group of radiocommunications receivers\n\n  (1) For the purposes of this instrument, and subject to subsection (2), two or more fixed receivers are a group of radiocommunications receivers if:\n    (a) each receiver is operated for the purpose of communicating with the same radiocommunications transmitter or group of radiocommunications transmitters; and\n    (b) each receiver has an antenna of the same type, model and manufacture; and\n    (c) the antenna used with each receiver is located on the same structure and within 20 metres of the phase centre of all antennas for the other receivers within the group of radiocommunications receivers; and\n    (d) the identification number assigned by the ACMA to the antenna used with each radiocommunications receiver is the same.\n\n> Note: See section 144 of the Act, and any instrument made under that section, for the information that must be included in the Register about a spectrum licence and each radiocommunications device operated under a spectrum licence.\n\n  (2) A radiocommunications receiver must not belong to more than one group of radiocommunications receivers.\n\n> Note: If a radiocommunications receiver is capable of belonging to more than one group of radiocommunications receivers, the spectrum licensee or authorised third party may nominate one group for the receiver.","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"10","sectionType":"section","heading":"Unacceptable level of interference","content":"#### 10 Unacceptable level of interference\n\n  (1) A level of interference caused by a radiocommunications transmitter operated under a 2.5 GHz mid band gap spectrum licence is unacceptable if:\n    (a) the operation of the transmitter results in a contravention of a core condition of the licence relating to the maximum permitted level of radio emission from the transmitter:\n    (i) outside the parts of the spectrum the use of which is authorised under the licence; or\n    (ii) outside the geographic area of the licence; or\n    (b) subject to subsection (2), any part of the device boundary of the transmitter lies outside of the geographic area of the licence; or\n    (c) the device boundary of the transmitter cannot be calculated in accordance with item 1 of Schedule 2.\n  (2) A level of interference mentioned in paragraph (1)(b) is not unacceptable in relation to a part of the device boundary of the radiocommunications transmitter that:\n    (a) lies outside the geographic area of the licence; and\n    (b) is connected to a radial that:\n    (i) is mentioned in item 1 of Schedule 2; and\n    (ii) does not cross over land outside the geographic area of the licence that is permanently above the Australian territorial sea baseline; and\n    (iii) does not cross into any of the following HCIS identifiers: IW3E, IW3I, IW3M, IW6A, IW6E, KX9, LX7, LX8, LX9.\n\n> Note: The HCIS identifiers beginning with IW describe an area near Adelaide. The HCIS identifiers beginning with KX and LX describe an area in Bass Strait.\n\n  (3) A level of interference caused by a radiocommunications transmitter operated under a 2.5 GHz mid band gap spectrum licence is unacceptable if the operation of the transmitter results in emissions above the horizontal plane greater than 45 dBm/30 kHz EIRP.\n  (4) This section does not apply in relation to a radiocommunications transmitter to which section 12 applies.\n\n> Note Subsection 145(1) of the Act provides that the ACMA may refuse to include in the Register details of a radiocommunications transmitter if the ACMA is satisfied that operation of the transmitter could cause an unacceptable level of interference to the operation of other radiocommunications devices. However, some radiocommunications transmitters are exempt from the requirement to be registered in the Register under their 2.5 GHz mid band gap spectrum licence – see subsection 69(2) of the Act.","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"11","sectionType":"section","heading":"Accuracy","content":"#### 11 Accuracy\n\n  Unless otherwise specified, the value of a parameter in Schedules 2 and 3 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":10},{"sectionNumber":"12","sectionType":"section","heading":"Transitional — radiocommunications transmitter registered before commencement of this instrument","content":"#### 12 Transitional – radiocommunications transmitter registered before commencement of this instrument\n\n  (1) If a radiocommunications transmitter was included in the Register in relation to a 2.5 GHz mid band gap spectrum licence before the commencement of this instrument (relevant transmitter), this section applies in relation to that transmitter.\n  (2) Subject to subsection (3), for the purposes of subsection 145(4) of the Act, a level of interference caused by a relevant transmitter is unacceptable if it would have been unacceptable under the Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 2.5 GHz Mid-band Gap) Determination 2012, as in force at the time the relevant transmitter was included in the Register.\n\n> Note: The Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 2.5 GHz Mid-band Gap) Determination 2012 is available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at [www.legislation.gov.au](http://www.legislation.gov.au).\n\n  (3) For the purposes of subsection 145(4) of the Act, if:\n    (a) after the commencement of this instrument, both:\n    (i) a detail of a relevant transmitter changes (relevant change); and\n    (ii) the change to the detail is recorded in the Register; and\n    (b) the distance of the new device boundary of the relevant transmitter is, on each radial mentioned in item 1 of Schedule 2, equal to or less than the distance of the old device boundary of the relevant transmitter on that radial; and\n    (c) but for the effect of this subsection, a level of interference caused by the relevant transmitter, immediately after the change time, would be unacceptable;\n  the level of interference caused by the relevant transmitter, immediately after the change time, is not unacceptable because of the relevant change.\n  (4) In subsection (3):\n\n> change time, for a relevant transmitter, means the time the relevant change is recorded in the Register.\n\n> new device boundary, of a relevant transmitter, means the device boundary of the transmitter established immediately after the change time, in accordance with this instrument as in force at the change time.\n\n> old device boundary, of a relevant transmitter, means the device boundary of the transmitter established immediately before the change time, in accordance with the Radiocommunications (Unacceptable Levels of Interference – 2.5 GHz Mid-band Gap) Determination 2012, as in force at the registration time.\n\n> registration time, for a relevant transmitter, means the time the transmitter was included in the Register.","sortOrder":11}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":8,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This instrument replaces the 2012 Determination (section 4) and updates the technical method for identifying unacceptable interference and device boundaries (Schedules 2–3). It preserves transitional protections for transmitters registered under the 2012 Determination (section 12). Mechanically, it is a technical and methodological update rather than a substantive expansion of the regulatory scope (it continues to define when interference is 'unacceptable' under subsection 145(4) of the Radiocommunications Act 1992). Any change is primarily in specificity and calculation method (new references to particular DEM dataset handling, ITU Recommendation versions, the 95% confidence accuracy requirement and an explicit horizontal-plane EIRP cap at section 10(3)) rather than an enlargement of ACMA’s regulatory reach."},"complexity_factors":["About 43 defined terms in the interpretation/definitions section (explicitly listed plus 10 expressions incorporated from the Act).","Multiple Schedules (Schedules 1–3) containing step-by-step numerical algorithms for: device boundary construction (500 × 360 radial sampling = up to 180,000 points per transmitter), propagation loss and antenna-height calculations.","Cross-references to several external technical documents (ITU‑R Recommendations P.525‑4, P.526‑15, P.2108‑0 and the ITU Radio Regulations) that must be applied as in force from time to time (section 6 and various Schedule items).","Conditional rules and exceptions (e.g. special-case rules for radials that run over sea/particular HCIS areas in section 10(2); the 95% confidence accuracy rule in section 11; transitional carve-outs in section 12).","Non-trivial numeric/geodetic computations required (Vincenty’s Direct Formulae in Schedule 3 with iterative convergence criteria), increasing implementation difficulty.","Dependence on an external geospatial dataset (DEM‑3S) and specific cell‑level rules (3×3 averaging, adjacent-cell minima in certain coordinate alignments) for terrain modelling (Schedule 3).","Mixture of policy thresholds (LOP = -80.4 dBm/30 kHz; absolute EIRP cap 45 dBm/30 kHz) and engineering computations creates layered decision logic (device boundary criterion RP–MP, Schedule 2).","Grouping rules for transmitters and receivers (sections 8–9) introduce discrete combinatorial cases licensees must consider when registering multi-antenna sites.","Measurement tolerance and confidence requirements (section 11; location measurement error < 10 m in Schedule 1; antenna-height measurement tolerances in Schedule 3)."],"plain_english_summary":"**What this instrument does (mechanically)\n\n- Replaces an earlier 2012 technical determination about interference limits for the 2.5 GHz \"mid band gap\" (the frequency range 2570–2620 MHz) with an updated instrument that sets out how to decide when a transmitter operating under a 2.5 GHz mid band gap spectrum licence causes an \"unacceptable level of interference\" (see sections 4 and 10).\n\n- Defines precise technical rules that licence-holders (and the ACMA when it registers transmitters) must use to calculate a transmitter’s \"device boundary\" — the geographic limit around a transmitter within which its emissions are treated as authorised by the licence (Schedule 2, items 1–3). The device boundary is calculated by sampling terrain (DEM‑3S) at set distances and using internationally recognised propagation formulas (ITU‑R Recommendations) and a numerical geodesy routine (Vincenty’s Direct Formulae) to derive latitude/longitude points for each radial.\n\n- Specifies how to calculate propagation loss, effective antenna height, average ground height, and the device boundary criterion (which compares radiated power to a required protection level) so that the boundary can be located at the first point along each radial where the criterion is met (Schedule 2 and Schedule 3).\n\n- Imposes an absolute emissions cap above the horizontal plane: emissions greater than 45 dBm per 30 kHz EIRP are unacceptable (section 10(3)).\n\n- Provides grouping rules for transmitters and receivers (when multiple antennas at one site are treated as a single unit for the calculations) and sets measurement accuracy/confidence requirements (sections 8–9 and section 11).\n\n- Repeals the 2012 Determination and carries forward transitional protection for transmitters registered under the old instrument so long as their recorded characteristics are not changed in a way that enlarges their device boundary (section 12).\n\nWho it affects\n\n- Spectrum licensees that hold 2.5 GHz mid band gap licences and any authorised third parties who deploy or alter transmitters under those licences. They must calculate and ensure device boundaries and emissions comply with the rules (sections 5, 10, Schedules 2–3).\n- The ACMA, which registers transmitter details and applies these criteria when deciding whether the operation of a transmitter could cause \"unacceptable\" interference (sections 3, 10 and the note to section 10).\n- Other spectrum users in adjacent bands or nearby geographic areas, to the extent licence-holders’ device boundaries and emission limits affect where and how new transmitters can lawfully operate.\n\nWhy it matters (purpose claims and mechanical effects)\n\n- The instrument claims to set objective engineering tests to identify when a transmitter will cause unacceptable interference to other radiocommunications devices within or outside the licensed frequency band or geographic area (section 10). Mechanically, it achieves that by prescribing a fixed protection level (LOP = -80.4 dBm/30 kHz), a receiver antenna gain assumption (18 dBi), numerical propagation and terrain-sampling rules and an iterative radial search to find the device boundary (Schedule 2 and Schedule 3).\n\nTesting those purpose-claims against practical trade-offs and implementation costs\n\n- Who pays: licence-holders bear the compliance cost. They must perform (or procure) the terrain sampling, propagation calculations and geodetic computations to establish device boundaries and to keep Register details accurate (Schedules 2–3, section 11 on measurement confidence). ACMA bears the regulatory cost of applying these technical rules when assessing registrations.\n\n- Compliance burden and implementation risk: the calculations are numerically detailed and rely on external datasets and ITU recommendations. That creates a non-trivial technical burden on licensees (need for GIS, propagation modelling, correct use of DEM‑3S, iterative Vincenty calculations). Small errors in inputs (location, antenna height, DEM sampling) can change the device boundary and therefore legal exposure under a licence (Schedules 2–3; section 11 requires 95% confidence for many parameters).\n\n- Bureaucratic discretion and verification: ACMA must assess registration data against these rules and can refuse to register transmitters that would cause unacceptable interference (note to section 10). The instrument still requires ACMA to exercise judgement in applying the rules to Register entries and to resolve cases where measurements or boundary calculations are contested.\n\n- Effects on private choice and deployment patterns: the device‑boundary methodology, together with the absolute EIRP cap above the horizontal plane (section 10(3)), limits where and at what power licensees can operate. That can constrain site selection, antenna height and transmit power, and therefore affects network design and costs. Where a device boundary would extend beyond a licence’s geographic area, operations may be treated as producing unacceptable interference unless narrow exceptions apply (section 10(1)(b) and (2)).\n\n- Concentrated benefits vs diffuse costs: the principal benefit—clear, engineering‑based protection from out‑of‑licence interference—accrues to existing licence-holders and their customers (concentrated). The costs (compliance modelling, possible site/power limits) fall on those licensees too; broader or prospective spectrum entrants may face constraints when locating services near existing device boundaries (diffuse).\n\n- Risk of substitution or gaming: the instrument allows grouping of transmitters and receivers under strict conditions (sections 8–9). There is a risk that licensees might structure site records or antenna identifiers to achieve more favourable device boundaries, which ACMA must monitor (section 8(2) and section 9(2) allow a nominee grouping where overlap exists).\n\n- Transitional protection: transmitters registered before commencement keep the protections of the 2012 Determination unless their Register details change in ways that enlarge their device boundary (section 12). That reduces immediate disruption for existing deployments but preserves ACMA’s ability to apply the new rules on future changes.\n\nNet mechanical effect (concise): The instrument does not change who needs a spectrum licence, but it prescribes a detailed, technical method for calculating where licensed transmissions are treated as authorised (the device boundary) and clarifies an absolute emission cap. Licence-holders must perform and record specified terrain, propagation and geodetic calculations to demonstrate compliance. The ACMA uses these calculations when deciding whether operation would cause \"unacceptable\" interference (section 10)."},"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":8,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is a straightforward remake of the 2012 Determination with updated technical references. The scope remains tightly focused on defining unacceptable interference levels for the 2.5 GHz mid band gap spectrum. The 2023 version appears to modernise the underlying technical standards (particularly the ITU-R Recommendations and DEM-3S dataset references) while maintaining the same fundamental regulatory approach. The transitional provisions preserve existing registrations without expanding the scope beyond the original purpose of managing interference in this specific frequency band."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive defined terms section with 25+ technical definitions including cross-references to external datasets (DEM-3S), international standards (ITU-R Recommendations), and geodetic datums (GDA94)","Nested mathematical formulas in Schedules 2 and 3 requiring iterative calculations and specific geospatial algorithms (Vincenty's Direct Formulae)","Conditional logic with multiple exceptions: section 10(2) creates an exception to the general rule about device boundaries, with three specific geographic exclusions (Adelaide area and Bass Strait HCIS identifiers)","Transitional provisions in section 12 creating parallel regulatory regimes for pre-existing transmitters versus new ones","Heavy reliance on external technical documents: Radio Regulations, three separate ITU-R Recommendations (P.525-4, P.526-15, P.2108-0), and the DEM-3S elevation dataset","Multi-step algorithmic processes: Schedule 2 item 1 requires calculating values at 180,000 points (500 increments × 360 radials) per transmitter to establish device boundaries","Special case handling for antenna height calculations with modulus operations and 3×3 matrix averaging for terrain data","Cross-referencing between multiple schedules: definitions in section 5 refer to Schedules 2 and 3, which in turn reference each other and external standards"],"plain_english_summary":"This Determination sets the technical test for when radio emissions in the 2.5 GHz mid‑band gap (2570–2620 MHz) constitute “unacceptable interference.” It governs how the ACMA decides whether to register transmitters and thus affects spectrum licensees and telecom operators. By defining interference boundaries and limits, it protects neighbouring services, gives operators planning certainty, and promotes efficient spectrum use."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-unacceptable-levels-of-interference-2-5-ghz-mid-band-gap-determination-2023","history":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-unacceptable-levels-of-interference-2-5-ghz-mid-band-gap-determination-2023/history","analysis":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-unacceptable-levels-of-interference-2-5-ghz-mid-band-gap-determination-2023/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-unacceptable-levels-of-interference-2-5-ghz-mid-band-gap-determination-2023/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-unacceptable-levels-of-interference-2-5-ghz-mid-band-gap-determination-2023/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/radiocommunications-unacceptable-levels-of-interference-2-5-ghz-mid-band-gap-determination-2023/documents"}}