Issue No 23: 13 September 2022

Helping Australia to be 5G Connected

Communications Alliance has provided a submission in response to the ACMA consultation on the proposed ACMA Telecommunications Mobile Equipment Air Interface Standard, to adopt the new Part 5 of the AS/CA S042 Standard which specifies technical requirements for 5G customer equipment, which includes 5G mobile phones.

In addition to supporting the adoption of our Standard and the appropriate transition periods, the submission highlights the complexity of the current equipment regulatory arrangements and identifies an opportunity to work with the ACMA with the aim to make the regulation of customer equipment in Australia easier for both the ACMA and industry, with the consequential flow-on benefits to users.

Communications Alliance is also currently investigating issues concerning ambiguities in the application of the equipment regulatory arrangements when determining what equipment is subject to these regulations. One of the drivers of this is the proliferation of consumer devices that are now being connected to telecommunications networks. We understand that the ACMA is currently considering a review of telecommunications equipment regulatory arrangements in 2023, an initiative that we wholeheartedly support and have offered to work with the ACMA to assist in identifying areas of importance to industry for inclusion in the review.

Submission to the Broadcasting Service Exclusion Determination Consultation Paper

Communications Alliance has provided a submission to the Broadcasting Service Exclusion Determination Consultation Paper, which seeks feedback on a proposal to remake the Broadcasting Services (“Broadcasting Services” Definition - Exclusion) Determination 2019 before it expires on 18 September 2022.

Comment Sought on New Online Safety Codes

Six industry associations, including Communications Alliance, that represent the online industry in Australia have released new online safety codes for public consultation.
 
Australia’s Online Safety Act 2021, which came into effect in January 2022, requires the development of codes by industry associations to regulate certain types of harmful online material, known as Class 1A and 1B material with reference to Australia’s classification scheme. This includes material promoting child sexual abuse, terrorism, extreme crime and violence, crime and violence, and drug-related content.

Once finalised, the Consolidated Industry Codes of Practice for the Online Industry, Phase 1 (class 1A and class 1B material) will be submitted for registration to the eSafety Commissioner. Registered codes are enforceable by the Commissioner. The draft codes have been informed by input from the Office of the eSafety Commissioner reflected in their September 2021 Position Paper.

The draft codes must cover a wide range of participants that operate in the online environment, including providers of social media, messaging, search engine and app distribution services, as well as internet and hosting service providers, and manufacturers and suppliers of any equipment that connects to the internet, including smart devices and computers. It is important to note that they also cover operators of all websites that can be accessed by Australian users.

The associations have launched a public consultation process, inviting feedback on the draft codes that are available on a new consultation website at www.onlinesafety.org.au. Feedback is proactively being sought from key stakeholders including consumer organisations, a diverse range of civil society groups, academics and industry. 

The draft codes and an accompanying explanatory memorandum can be downloaded at www.onlinesafety.org.au.  Submissions should be uploaded to that website (i.e. not to the Comms Alliance website). The consultation period runs from 1 September to 2 October, 2022.

The industry associations can be contacted via hello@onlinesafety.org.au should you have any questions. 

Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA)
BSA | The Software Alliance (BSA)
Communications Alliance
Consumer Electronics Suppliers Association (CESA)
Digital Industry Group Inc (DIGI)
Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA)

Current Consultations

Below is a list of currently open telecommunications-related consultations being conducted by Government and other organisations that provide an opportunity for you to have your say.