13Compatibility

13 Compatibility

(1) In relation to a fixed receiver specified in subsection (2), the licensee of a fixed transmitter operated under an apparatus licence or a spectrum licence must ensure that the transmitter meets the compatibility requirement in Schedule 2. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a fixed receiver is specified if the receiver: (a) is operated under a spectrum licence; and (b) has at least the notional receiver performance level; and (c) was included in the Register before: (i) if the fixed transmitter mentioned in subsection (1) is operated under a spectrum licence – the fixed transmitter was included in the Register; or (ii) if the fixed transmitter mentioned in subsection (1) is operated under an apparatus licence – the apparatus licence was issued; and (d) one of the following applies (i) the receiver is operated in the 1800 MHz lower band; or (ii) the receiver is operated in the 1800 MHz upper band, and has an effective antenna height for each increment 1, start formula h subscript e 1 open bracket phi subscript n close bracket end formulathat is less than or equal to 10 metres; or (iii) the receiver is operated in the 1800 MHz upper band, and has an effective antenna height for each increment 1, start formula h subscript e 1 open bracket phi subscript n close bracket end formulathat is greater than 10 metres, and does not operate within 10 MHz (measured from the lower or upper limit of the occupied bandwidth of the received signal) of a frequency adjacent spectrum licence (in relation to the licence mentioned in paragraph (a)) authorising the operation of radiocommunication devices in the same area, and is not in an area of high mobile use.

Note: Radiocommunications receivers operated in the 1800 MHz upper band are generally not afforded protection from radiocommunications devices exempt from registration. It is the responsibility of the operator of the receiver to manage any interference from such devices through negotiation and mechanisms such as implementing guard bands and appropriate site selection.

(3) Licensees of radiocommunications transmitters operated under a spectrum licence are expected to reduce their out-of-band emissions to the levels set out in Schedule 3, if it would facilitate compatibility with registered radiocommunications receivers operated under a frequency adjacent spectrum licence. This expectation applies irrespective of which radiocommunications device was registered first. Licensees are responsible for bearing the costs of changes to their own system. If reducing out-of-band emissions would not facilitate compatibility between services, generally the radiocommunications device first registered will be given priority.

Note: This requirement reflects the fact that the strict out-of-band emission limits in a spectrum licence core condition have not been imposed. This was done to avoid any unnecessary costs and burden on licensees to implement arrangements that are only required to enable compatibility in specific situations. Consequently, it is only expected that licensees of 1800 MHz spectrum licences reduce out-of-band emissions when required to facilitate compatibility with other services.