2 Assignment and licensing

Since radio equipment has the potential to cause interference to other users of the spectrum, users of such equipment must obtain a Wireless Telegraphy Act (WT Act) licence. It is an offence to install and use radio transmission equipment without a licence unless it has been exempted from licensing. Wherever possible the Agency aims to exempt the use of the radio spectrum from licensing so as to reduce the burden on users. Many short range devices such as metal detectors, radio controls for model aircraft and some types of radio microphones are unlikely to cause interference to other users.

Therefore they have been exempted from the requirement for a WT Act licence. The Agency makes balanced use of the range of spectrum management tools at its disposal:

regulation - the imposition of licence terms and conditions to enable users to operate without causing serious interference to each other, for example on the frequencies that may be used, the technical standards to be met by equipment and operating conditions;

spectrum pricing - licence fees are set by regulation with a view to supporting spectrum management objectives, such as meeting demand for spectrum and the promotion of spectrum efficiency, economic benefits, innovation and competition. Users are, generally speaking, charged more if they have more extensive spectrum coverage or use radio in parts of the country where there is spectrum congestion. This helps ensure that, where spectrum is in short supply, it is used by those who can use it to best advantage;

auctions - licences may be auctioned where this is considered to promote optimal use of the spectrum. Generally speaking, licences would be auctioned only for new national or regional services and where there are more potential users than can be accommodated in the spectrum that is available;

3 Keeping the spectrum clean

The Agency takes great care in all aspects of planning and assigning frequencies to users, taking account not only of the type and location of the proposed use but, most importantly, of other existing or planned uses of the spectrum. However, despite the Agency's best efforts, interference may still occur to radio transmissions. Sources of interference can include other legitimate radio transmitters which may be malfunctioning, incorrectly installed or improperly operated, unauthorised broadcasters or non-radio equipment such as radio frequency dryers or computers. Staff at the Agency's network of local offices offer customers advice about radio services and investigate complaints of interference. If necessary, they use their statutory enforcement powers to remove or reduce interference.