1 Name
of Class Licence [see Note
1]
This Class Licence is the Radiocommunications
(Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence 2000.
2 Commencement
[see Note 1]
This Class Licence commences on gazettal.
3 Revocation
The following instruments are revoked:
(a) the Radiocommunications Class Licence
(Low Interference Potential Devices) 1997;
(b) the Radiocommunications Class Licence (Low
Interference Potential Devices) Variation 1998 (No. 1).
Note
A radiocommunications device supported under this Class Licence
can be expected to be operating in radiofrequency spectrum also used by other
radiocommunications devices (that is, it shares the spectrum with them).
Devices supported under this Class Licence are typically used for communications
over short distances.
By placing appropriate limits on parameters such as device type,
radiated power levels and frequencies of operation, the interference potential
of a low interference potential device (LIPD) may be held to a
sufficiently low level that enables sharing the spectrum with other
radiocommunications devices on an uncoordinated basis in most circumstances.
It is recognised that interference arising from the operation of
a LIPD is still possible, although under less likely circumstances. As an aid
to interference resolution in those circumstances, it is a condition of the
operation of a device under this Class Licence that the device not cause
interference to other radiocommunications devices; as well, a device will not
be afforded protection from interference caused by other radiocommunications
services (see paragraph 4 (1) (b) and Note 1 after section 4 of
this Class Licence).
Should interference occur, the onus is on the user of a LIPD to
take measures to resolve that interference, for example, by re‑tuning or
ceasing to operate the LIPD. Some LIPDs are designed so that they are able to
be re‑tuned, to assist the user in avoiding interference locally.
Some of the frequency bands mentioned
in this Class Licence cover bands designated for industrial, scientific and
medical (ISM) applications. ISM applications generate radio
frequency energy and use it locally for non‑radiocommunications
applications (eg. microwave ovens). Radiocommunications services operating
in ISM‑designated bands may experience interference from ISM
applications. In accordance with the internationally‑recognised
arrangements for interference resolution that apply in such bands, this Class
Licence notes that radiocommunications devices operating in ISM‑designated
bands are not afforded protection from interference that may be caused by ISM
applications (see Note 2 after section 4 of this Class Licence).
LIPDs are sometimes used for radio
applications with commercial or safety‑of‑life implications. Users
of such applications are encouraged to have particular regard to the
suitability of operating under this Class Licence for their radiocommunications
needs.
Some
applications of LIPDs require that a device meet additional physical or
technical requirements outside the scope of this Class Licence. The use,
marketing and supply of such devices in Australia may be dependant on the
approval of the appropriate regulatory body, such as the Therapeutic Goods
Administration or State Government Authorities.
Manufacturers and suppliers of
radiocommunications products able to be supported under this Class Licence are
encouraged to have regard to the information in this note when forming advice
about the suitability of their products for the intended application of the
products by customers.
3A Definitions
Act means the Radiocommunications Act 1992.
coverage area, for a broadcasting station,
means the area surrounding the associated television transmitter within the
boundary described by the following field strength limits:
(a) UHF Band IV: 62 dBuV/metre except rural
towns where the limit is 64 dBuV/metre;
(b) UHF Band V: 67 dBuV/metre.
DAB means digital audio broadcasting.
device compliance day, for a device, means
the most recent of the following days:
(a) if the device was manufactured in
Australia — the day it was manufactured; and
(b) if the device was manufactured overseas and
imported — the day it was imported; and
(c) if the device was altered or modified in a
material respect — the day it was altered or modified.
ERP means effective radiated power.
ETSI means the European Telecommunications
Standards Institute.
infrared device means a radiocommunications
device having a radio emission in the frequency range 187.5 THz to 420 THz.
low interference potential device means a
radiocommunications device that complies with the conditions set out in this
Class Licence.
maximum EIRP means the largest amount of
equivalent isotropically radiated power that is radiated in any direction from
either of the following:
(a) an antenna that is an integral part of the
transmitter;
(b) an antenna that is connected to the
transmitter.
nominated distance of a specified Australian radio‑astronomy
site, means:
(a) within 10 km of Parkes Observatory
located near Parkes (Latitude 32° 59¢ 59.8657² S
Longitude 148° 15¢ 44.3591² E);
or
(b) within 10 km of Paul Wild Observatory
located near Narrabri (Latitude 30° 18¢ 52.048² S
Longitude 149° 32¢ 56.327² E);
or
(c) within 3 km of the Canberra Deep Space
Communications Complex (Latitude 35° 23¢ 54² S
Longitude 148° 58¢ 40² E);
or
(d) within 10 km
of the Radio Astronomy Park in Western Australia (Latitude 26° 37¢ 13.4² S Longitude 117° 30¢ 40² E).
Note For the definition of other
expressions used in this Class Licence, see the Act and the Radiocommunications
(Interpretation) Determination 2000.
4 Class
Licence
(1) This Class Licence authorises a person to operate a
transmitter included in a class of transmitters mentioned in an item in
Schedule 1, subject to the following conditions:
(a) the transmitter must be operated:
(i) on a frequency, or within a range
of frequencies, mentioned in the item; and
(ii) at a radiated power that does not
exceed the maximum EIRP mentioned in the item; and
(iii) within the limitations (if any)
mentioned in the item;
(b) the transmitter’s operation must not cause
interference to the operation of radiocommunications services.
(2) The frequency, or range of frequencies, and the
maximum EIRP mentioned in an item in Schedule 1 must be construed in accordance
with the interpretative provisions (if any) mentioned in the item.
Note 1 A low interference potential
device will not be afforded protection from interference caused by other
radiocommunications devices. A low interference potential device operated under
this Class Licence is generally not expected to suffer interference. However,
an individual low interference potential device may experience, from other
radiocommunications devices, interference arising from the particular
circumstances of the device’s operation.
Note 2 In
accordance with the requirements of footnote AUS 32 and footnote 150 to the
Table of Allocations in the Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan, a low
interference potential device will not be afforded protection from interference
that may be caused by ISM applications in the ISM bands 13.553 MHz – 13.567
MHz, 26.957 MHz – 27.283 MHz, 40.66 MHz – 40.70 MHz, 918 MHz – 926 MHz, 2 400
MHz – 2 500 MHz, 5 725 MHz – 5 875 MHz and 24 000 MHz – 24 250 MHz.
Note 3 Australia/New Zealand Standard
AS/NZS 2211.10:2004 details the requirements that are necessary to protect
persons from radiation from laser devices, many of which are authorised by this
Class Licence.
5 Standards
(1) Each of the following radiocommunications devices
must comply with the Radiocommunications (Electromagnetic Radiation —
Human Exposure) Standard 1999:
(a) a handset, for a cellular mobile telephone
service, that has a device compliance day on or after 22 November 2000;
(b) a handset, for a cordless telephone service,
that has a device compliance day on or after 22 November 2000;
(c) a land station (cradle) that:
(i) is used in a cordless telephone
service; and
(ii) has a device compliance day on or
after 22 November 2000.
(2) In addition, if the
device compliance day for a device authorised under this class licence is:
(a) on or after the date of commencement of the Radiocommunications
(Low Interference Potential Devices) Class Licence Variation 2001 (No. 1);
or
(b) in relation to
an infrared device — on or after 13 February 2002;
the device must comply with any
standard applicable to the device on its device compliance day, as in force on
that day.
Note 1 ACMA confirms that if a
standard mentioned in subsection (2) is amended or replaced by another
standard after the device compliance day for the device, the device need not
comply with the new or amended standard.
Note 2 Section 5 of the Act provides
that standard means a standard made under section 162 of
that Act.