The proposed changes to licensing and allocation arrangements have been driven by the Radiocommunications Legislation Amendment (Reform and Modernisation) Act 2020, which received Royal Assent on 17 December 2020. This will allow the ACMA to update the Radiocommunications Act 1992. In the information paper, we describe our broader approach to selecting spectrum, apparatus and class licensing for different use scenarios. We discuss how the amendments can provide increased flexibility in selecting apparatus or spectrum licensing for some use cases. The provisions of the acts will come into force on 17 June 2021, giving users of spectrum time to adjust to the new regulatory framework. We are also seeking your views on the consultations below. Radiocommunications equipment rules We are consulting on draft Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021. The proposed new equipment rules are designed to ensure that all of the existing requirements remain enforceable. Changes to class licences We are proposing to amend the relevant class licences to include references to equipment rules, and are also taking the opportunity to consult on our proposal to harmonise how our electromagnetic (EME) regulatory framework applies EME emission limits to class-licensed radiocommunications transmitters. Accredited persons scheme The accredited persons scheme (AP scheme) was created to make spectrum management more efficient by allowing accredited persons to perform specific activities such as technical assessment, coordination and assignment. Because of recent changes with the above acts, we need to make legislative instruments to preserve the AP scheme. |