8In-band interference

8 In-band interference

(1) In-band interference to a 3.4 GHz receiver, caused by a radiocommunications transmitter operated under an adjacent spectrum licence, is managed by: (a) the core conditions imposed on spectrum licences under section 66 of the Act; and (b) the device boundary criterion and any deployment constraints in the section 145 determination; and (c) the recommended preliminary coordination procedures in Part 8 of the Radiocommunication Advisory Guidelines (Managing Interference from Spectrum Licensed Transmitters – 3.4 GHz Band) 2025; and (c) any condition set out in the adjacent spectrum licence relating to synchronisation (a synchronisation requirement), unless other arrangements are agreed to by the affected licensees. (2) Subject to subsections (3) and (4), in-band interference to a 3.4 GHz receiver, caused by a radiocommunications transmitter operated under a transmitter licence first issued: (a) if the 3.4 GHz receiver operates in the 3400 MHz to 3575 MHz frequency band – on or after 16 July 2022; (b) if the 3.4 GHz receiver operates in the 3575 MHz to 3700 MHz frequency band – on or after 9 March 2018; (c) if the 3.4 GHz receiver operates in the 3700 MHz to 3800 MHz frequency band – on or after 16 July 2022; is managed by the device boundary criterion as if the transmitter were operated under an area-wide licence.

Note: The Radiocommunications (Spectrum Re-allocation – 3.6 GHz Band for Adelaide and Eastern Metropolitan Australia) Declaration 2018, the Radiocommunications (Spectrum RE-allocation – 3.6 GHz Band for Perth) Declaration 2018 and the Radiocommunications (Spectrum Re-allocation – 3.6 GHz Band for Regional Australia) Declaration 2018 commenced on 9 March 2018. The Radiocommunications (Spectrum Re-allocation – 3.4 GHz and 3.7 GHz Bands) Declaration 2022 commenced on 16 July 2022. These legislative instruments are available, free of charge, from the Federal Register of Legislation at www.legislation.gov.au.

(3) Radiocommunications transmitters operating under a radiodetermination licence are not required to follow the device boundary criterion and any deployment constraints in RALI MS 47 if the person operating the transmitters implements measures to minimise the impact on radiocommunications devices operated under 3.4 GHz spectrum licences. In-band interference caused by such radiocommunications transmitters is expected to be transient in nature. Where it is not, the person operating the transmitters is to implement further mitigation measures to reduce the impact on radiocommunications devices operated under 3.4 GHz spectrum licences. To assist with managing in-band interference, when planning and operating fixed or mobile wireless networks, 3.4 GHz spectrum licensees should have regard to subsection 9(5). (4) Radiocommunications transmitters operating under a fixed licence (point to multipoint system) are generally not required to meet the device boundary criterion. Coexistence arrangements for these transmitters with 3.4 GHz receivers are included in the Radiocommunications Licence Conditions (Fixed Licence) Determination 2025 (or any instrument that replaces that determination) and in RALI MS50. (5) The ACMA does not intend to protect 3.4 GHz receivers from in-band interference caused by a radiocommunications transmitter operated under a transmitter licence (other than a radiodetermination licence) first issued: (a) if the 3.4 GHz receiver operates in the 3400 MHz to 3575 MHz frequency band – before 16 July 2022; (b) if the 3.4 GHz receiver operates in the 3575 MHz to 3700 MHz frequency band – before 9 March 2018; (c) if the 3.4 GHz receiver operates in the 3700 MHz to 3800 MHz frequency band – before 16 July 2022.