SpectrumTalk

FCC's "Down Under" Counterpart Announces
"A New Approach to Consultation on Spectrum Matters"

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) recently announced "A New Approach to Consultation on Spectrum Matters". So despite having to stand on their heads all day and drink a lot of Foster's and Yellow Tail Kangaroo, these blokes seem to be doing a good job thinking about spectrum.

The ACMA announcement deals with a 3 prong approach.

1. Establishing a new peak body, the Radiocommunications Consultative Committee to replace the former Radiocommunications Consultative Council and the International Radiocommunications Advisory Committee, but have a somewhat different emphasis and approach.

2. Holding an annual radiocommunications conference (RadComms), as well as other seminars during the year to reach its wide, and broadening, groups of more general stakeholders.

3. Introducing a range of transparency measures. The most notable of these is to publish on the ACMA website, and regularly update, a five-year plan of ACMA’s spectrum planning activities which is, as far as possible, on a band-by-band basis.

But doesn't FCC already have a similar advisory committee? You mean the Technological Advisory Council (TAC) which hasn't met since July 20, 2006?


Or perhaps you are confusing it with NTIA's Spectrum Management Advisory Committee
which has met twice in the past 3 months.

How about "annual radiocommunications conference (RadComms), as well as other seminars during the year to reach its wide, and broadening, groups of more general stakeholders". FCC management has been reluctant to have such general outreach. I note that my wife's friends at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission do have an annual Regulatory Information Conference where they meet with their regulatees to explain recent technical policy changes and ask for feedback. FCC management traditionally prefers private meetings with large corporations and major trade groups and generally avoids the technical community. Score another for the Aussies!

Finally improved transparency and a 5 year plan. Not a bad idea! Maybe I'll lift a Foster's to ACMA to congratulate them on good thinking.