Issue No 7: 9 March 2022

Australian Standards for 5G Handsets now Published

Communications Alliance has published the AS/CA S042.5:2022 Requirements for connection to an air interface of a Telecommunications Network— Part 5: IMT-2020 Customer Equipment Standard. The new Part 5 of the AS/CA S042 series applies to IMT customer equipment (including cellular mobile handsets) that are used when using an IMT-2020 (5G) public mobile telecommunications service. The new requirements apply to both 5G New Radio and 5G New Radio / E-UTRA (LTE) 5G NR technologies, reflecting the 3GPP Release 15 specifications that are used worldwide. The spectrum bands reflect those identified to be relevant for Australia for use by the mobile carriers.

In addition to the new Part 5, the Part 1 of the series, AS/CA S042.1:2022 Requirements for connection to an air interface of a Telecommunications Network— Part 1: General, has also been revised to update the emergency call service requirements to include the device identifiers used by 5G Customer Equipment. This includes the introduction of the new IMEISV international mobile equipment identity number which augments the role of the existing IMEI identifier.

Both the AS/CA S042.1:2022 and AS/CA S042.5:2022 Standards are to be submitted to the ACMA for making under s378 of the Telecommunications Act 1997, a regulatory process that is required to meet regulatory obligations, anticipating to see the Standards become enforceable mid-year.

This is the first step in having an Australian Standard available to facilitate suppliers when bringing 5G devices to market in Australia. As a part of the Communications Alliance Standards work program, there are plans to revise the AS/CA S042 Standard series over the coming years to ensure that it remains current with international Standards and Australian regulations.

Submission to the PJCIS Review of the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure Protection) Bill 2022

Communications Alliance has made a submission in response to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) review of the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure Protection) Bill 2022 (SLACIP Bill.)

In our submission, we reiterate some of our concerns previously raised in our response to the consultation on the Exposure Draft of the Bill. In addition, we raise concern with the process and the lack of a complete Regulation Impact Statement prior to the likely passage of the Bill. The submission also asks for a statutory review within two years of commencement of the resultant Act. Importantly, in order to avoid duplicate regulatory regimes, we also urge the Committee to reiterate its recommendation for the Department of Home Affairs to work with affected entities in a cooperative and consultative approach – that is allowed sufficient time to determine which, if any, obligations of the TSSR regime may require bolstering or amendment and how this may be achieved most effectively and efficiently.

More Comms Alliance Members on the Path to Operate Satellites over Australia

For foreign satellite operators to apply for space or space receive apparatus licences to operate their satellite systems in Australia, they need to be listed in the ACMA’s Radiocommunications (Foreign Space Objects) Determination.

Communications Alliance has provided a submission to the ACMA consultation which proposes to update the Determination with the addition of new satellite operators including Kuiper Systems (a subsidiary of Amazon), Omnispace and Telesat Canada. Our submission supports the addition of our members to the listing and takes the opportunity to provide information of the benefits that these satellite systems will bring to Australia.

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.

Communications Alliance members interested in contributing to an industry submission (if one is being developed in response to a specific consultation) should contact us.