ACBRO Home Page

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is seeking public comment on proposals for changes to arrangements for the radiofrequency spectrum in the range 403–520 MHz (the 400 MHz band). The proposals are outlined in the Spectrum Proposals: 403-520 MHz - Proposals for future arrangements in the 400 MHz band consultation paper (PDF 1.2 mb or Word 2.45 mb).

NOTE: THESE ARE PROPOSED CHANGES THAT HAVE NOT TAKEN EFFECT AS YET.

Of main concern to the CBer and the Citizens Band Radio Service is the proposed UHF CB Channel arrangements as follows:

Channel      Frequency     Bandwidth     Comments

1            476.4250      25 kHz        Repeater No change
2            476.4500      25 kHz        Repeater No change
3            476.4750      25 kHz        Repeater No change
4            476.5000      25 kHz        Repeater No change
5            476.5250      25 kHz        EMERGENCY No change
6            476.5500      25 kHz        Repeater No change
7            476.5750      25 kHz        Repeater No change
8            476.6000      25 kHz        Repeater No change
                                         Guard band 6.25 kHz

9A           476.6250      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
9B           476.6375      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
10A          476.6500      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
10B          476.6625      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
11A          476.6750      12.5 kHz      Calling Now 12.5 kHz
11B          476.6875      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
12A          476.7000      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
12B          476.7125      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
13A          476.7250      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
13B          476.7375      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
14A          476.7500      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
14B          476.7625      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
15A          476.7750      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
15B          476.7875      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
16A          476.8000      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
16B          476.8125      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
17A          476.8250      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
17B          476.8375      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
18A          476.8500      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
18B          476.8625      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
19A          476.8750      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
19B          476.8875      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
20A          476.9000      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
20B          476.9125      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
21A          476.9250      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
                                         Guard band 6.25 kHz
22           476.9500      25 kHz        Tele-command No change
23           476.9750      25 kHz        Tele-command No change
                                         Guard band 6.25 kHz
24A          477.0000      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
24B          477.0125      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
25A          477.0250      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
25B          477.0375      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
26A          477.0500      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
26B          477.0625      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
27A          477.0750      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
27B          477.0875      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
28A          477.1000      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
28B          477.1125      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
29A          477.1250      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
29B          477.1375      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
30A          477.1500      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
                                         Guard band 6.25 kHz
31           477.1750      25 kHz        Repeater No change
32           477.2000      25 kHz        Repeater No change
33           477.2250      25 kHz        Repeater No change
34           477.2500      25 kHz        Repeater No change
35           477.2750      25 kHz        EMERGENCY No change
36           477.3000      25 kHz        Repeater No change
37           477.3250      25 kHz        Repeater No change
38           477.3500      25 kHz        Repeater No change
                                         Guard band 6.25 kHz
39A          477.3750      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
39B          477.3875      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz
40A          477.4000      12.5 kHz      Old Simplex Now 12.5 kHz
40B          477.4125      12.5 kHz      New Simplex 12.5 kHz

Note 1: There are 5.25 kHz guard segments between new channels 8 & 9A, 21A & 22,
23 & 24A, 30A & 31 and 38 & 39A, hence there are no channels 8B, 21B, 32B and 38B.

Note 2: Channel numbers without the postscript letters A or B are 25 kHz bandwidth
channels and those chanels with A or B postcripts are 12.5 kHz bandwidth.

Note 3: Channels 1-8 and 31-38 have been retained as 25 kHz bandwidth repeater
paired channels which can be used as voice simplex outside of repeater's operational area.

Note 4: Channels 5 and 35 have been retained as 25 kHz bandwidth simplex EMERGENCY
channels and can be licensed as EMERGNCY repeaters.

Note 5: The gazetted calling channel (11) has changed to 12.5 kHz

ACMA believes that reform of the arrangements for this band is urgently needed and is important to Australia’s future. In pursuing change, ACMA is committed to delivering improved efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility and is also committed to maximising the public benefit arising from the use of this spectrum.

This discussion paper represents the second public step in the review of the 400 MHz band, which began in April 2008 with the release of the Spectrum Options: 403–520 MHz discussion paper (Word 2.6 mb or PDF 602 kb) in April 2008.

The broad objectives of the review of the 400 MHz band are to implement measures to:

• improve the harmonisation of spectrum use by certain government agencies to assist in radiocommunications interoperability objectives and the development of efficient government networks;
• improve the allocative, technical and dynamic efficiency with which spectrum in the band is allocated and used, by reviewing the relevant frequency assigning and licensing mechanisms (including band plans, licensing instructions, licensing options and pricing);
• facilitate new technologies and possible complementary uses of the band;
• implement arrangements that take advantage of the different spectrum management requirements and challenges between different geographic areas; and
• minimise the requirement for ongoing ACMA intervention in the band.

Note: Spectrum embargoes 50 and 51 have been put in place to support and preserve planning options associated with the review of the 400 MHz band.

Written submissions:

ACMA invites comments and feedback on the issues discussed in this paper.

Written submissions on the issues raised in this discussion paper may be made to ACMA as follows:

The closing date for submissions is close of business Friday 29 May 2009.

Electronic submissions in Microsoft Word or rich text format are preferred. Please direct any questions about this discussion paper to Adam Clash on telephone: (02) 6219 5170 or email 400MHzreview@acma.gov.au.