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?There has been increasing pressure from industry and users of the 400 MHz band to establish arrangements that will better accommodate future communication needs through current and emerging technologies,' said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

?The aim of ACMA's replanning process is to maximise, by ensuring efficient allocation and use of the spectrum, the overall public benefit derived from its use, while continuing to provide adequate spectrum for defence, national security and emergency services.'  The 400 MHz band is also used for other radiocommunication services including fixed (point-to-point and point-to-multipoint), radiolocation and amateur services.

According to ACMA, much of the band has become congested in the major capital cities and overall there is a growing need to support more efficient technologies.  An additional motivation for reviewing the band is to identify harmonised spectrum to facilitate radiocommunications interoperability of certain government agencies (such as law enforcement and other emergency services).

ACMA is seeking information and comment on a wide range of issues, including the following broad areas draft spectrum management principles, a five-year spectrum outlook and the Independent Review of Government Spectrum Holdings report and ACMA's preliminary response to the review's recommendations.

The papers have been released in the lead up to ACMA's spectrum management conference and are available at www.acma.gov.au/ra dcomms08