National Television Conversion Scheme 1999
35Transmitter licence
Start here
Get a plain-English read of 35
Turn the raw legal text into a practical explanation grounded in National Television Conversion Scheme 1999.
35 Transmitter licence
(1) If a national broadcaster’s implementation plan is approved, the ACMA must issue to the national broadcaster a transmitter licence that authorises the operation of 1 or more specified radiocommunications transmitters for transmitting the broadcasting service concerned in digital mode.
Note See Radiocommunications Act 1992, s 100B.
(2) However, if the national broadcaster already holds a suitable transmitter licence for the coverage area concerned, because of the approval of a previous implementation plan in a series, the ACMA may vary the licence, if it is necessary, to give the authorisation mentioned in subsection (1).
Note In the course of approving a series of implementation plans, transmitter licences may be issued that will support later plans in the series. In those circumstances, it may not be necessary for a new transmitter licence to be issued after the approval of each plan in the series.
(3) Also, if the national broadcaster already holds a suitable transmitter licence for the coverage area concerned, for test transmissions or for transmission in a regional area before the start of the simulcast period, the ACMA must vary the licence, if it is necessary, to give the authorisation mentioned in subsection (1).
Note Division 9 of this Part deals with transmitter licences issued to support test transmissions. Division 10 of this Part deals with transmitter licences issued to support transmission in a regional area before the start of the simulcast period.
(4) the ACMA must also:
(a) identify conditions to which the licence should be subject, including (if appropriate) the date of effect of the licence; and
Note Schedule 4 to the Act imposes a timetable for conversion of commercial television broadcasting services to digital transmission, with simulcasts starting at different times in different licence areas. The Schedule also makes arrangements for conversion of national television broadcasting services to digital transmission, and sets deadlines by which this should happen. To support these arrangements, the ACMA may have to set priorities for carrying out its responsibilities.