[MLB-WIRELESS] Fw: Report released on current and potential uses of wireless broadband technologies

[Barry Park]

The report is not yet online.
Anyone like to share theur thoughts on whether this is a good/bad result for
community wireless?
- Barry

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dodd, Geoff (REPS)" <Geoff.Dodd.Reps at aph.gov.au>
Sent: Monday, November 11, 2002 5:13 PM
Subject: Report released on current and potential uses of wireless broadband
technologies


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Standing Committee on Communications, Information Technology and the Arts

Report released on current and potential uses of wireless broadband
technologies

The Chair of the House of Representatives Communications Committee, Mr
Christopher Pyne, today released the unanimous report of his committee's
inquiry into the current and potential uses of wireless broadband
technologies.

The report contains 14 recommendations aimed at improving the take-up of
wireless broadband in metropolitan, regional and remote Australia to help
deliver better communications services to individuals, families, communities
and businesses.

Two of the main recommendations are:
* the elimination of the requirement for carrier licences on the ISM bands
(which include 802.11 WiFi) for both commercial and non-commercial
operation.  This will allow Australian broadband customers easier access to
Wireless Local Area Networks as a broadband alternative;
* the use of analogue TV bands (as they become available following the
changeover to digital technology) for trials of improved broadband services
to the bush.  This could help create a uniquely Australian solution to the
worldwide problem of long distance 'last mile' Internet provision.

In order to ensure that spectrum is used effectively, the committee
recommends that the trading and cross-leasing of spectrum be encouraged and
that regionally-adjusted spectrum auction reserve prices be considered.

The committee recommends that the hearing-impaired be provided with mobile
telephones compatible with hearing aids as well as portable wireless
services that can communicate through the National Relay Service.

In order to protect the Australian community, the committee recommends that
the security services and regulatory authorities monitor the use of WiFi and
other ISM networks for possible illegal activities.

And in order to improve the overall regulation of the telecommunications
industry, the committee recommends that the government consider amalgamating
the Australian Communications Authority and the Australian Broadcasting
Authority to create one central regulator.

The committee's overall conclusion is that there is no one technology that
can fit all Australia's needs.  In particular, the solution to the 'last
mile' service involves a mix of technologies, both wire-line and wireless.
However, it is possible to use WiFi and the longer wavelength technologies
associated with existing analogue TV bandwidths to "pull" broadband third
generation wireless and wire-line infrastructure to customers by creating
the business case for broadband. In this way, a cheap wireless rollout could
later be followed by a wire-line rollout providing additional or better
services.

Given the diverse range of wireless technologies and their constant (and
rapid) evolution, the market should be permitted to determine, over time,
which ones best suit particular applications. The government should maintain
a general regulatory policy of 'technology-neutrality', not favouring any
particular technology, whether it is wireless or wire-line.

The report, submissions to the inquiry and public hearing transcripts can be
read or downloaded from the House Communications Committee website, at:
www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/cita/index.htm
or are available from the Committee secretariat at Room R1-116, Parliament
House.

For comment, please contact the Committee Chair, Christopher Pyne, MP, on
(02) 6277 4842.

For further information, please contact Rod Power, Inquiry Secretary on (02)
6277 4588 or via email at Rod.Power.Reps at aph.gov.au

Full recommendations follow.
List of recommendations - 'Connecting Australia! wireless broadband'

The House of Representatives Communications Committee recommends:

In relation to improving the general take-up of wireless broadband:

1.  that the ACA and ABA develop a scheme to allow the use of unallocated
VHF and low UHF TV channels for rural wireless broadband links, and that
they examine the possibility of allocating spectrum in the 400-500 MHz range
for CDMA-450 on, at least, an experimental basis.

2.  that the requirement for carrier licences on the ISM bands be eliminated
for both commercial and non-commercial operation. This will allow Australian
broadband customers easier access to WLAN as a broadband alternative, and
also enable Australian wireless engineers to compete with overseas entities
in this burgeoning field. ISM band power limits should remain unchanged
unless an exemption applies in non-metropolitan areas (see the Committee's
later recommendation in this regard).
3.  that the ACA provide education programs for prospective wireless
operators. These programs should explain the technologies, the law and ACA
services.

4.  that the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the
Arts ensure training programs are in place to increase the knowledge of
prospective wireless operators about the wireless market and customer
requirements.

5. that the government determine whether there are legislative, regulatory
and business impediments to the interoperation of wireless ISPs and their
access to the Internet backbone and, if so, eliminate them.

6. that the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts
ask the ACA to investigate the establishment of a conflict resolution
service for users of the ISM bands.

7. that the ACA and ABA develop procedures that facilitate the migration of
wireless activities from ISM bands to adjacent licensed spectrum by
streamlining equipment qualification procedures.

8. that the ACA develop a system for licence renewal that evaluates the use
of spectrum, utilising clear criteria established and communicated to
spectrum holders well in advance of renewal dates. This could be implemented
using fixed-term renewable spectrum allocations.

In relation to improving the takeup of wireless broadband in regional areas:

9. that the ACA and the ACCC develop a mechanism whereby small wireless
Internet service providers can negotiate wholesale prices for Internet
backbone connections, possibly introducing appropriate conditions in the
carrier Universal Service Obligation. For a service provider to be eligible
under this scheme, they must demonstrate that they are serving an eligible
customer base. Eligibility would be automatic where DSL/wire-line
connectivity was not currently available (such as in some regions of
Australia) or simply where broadband wireless takeup had not yet occurred.

10. that the Minister ask the ACA to examine the implications of raising the
power limits on the ISM band to the equipment's rated values for service
providers in those areas of Australia where DSL or other broadband wire-line
connections are not yet in place.

11. that the ACA and ABA form a spectrum bureau to:
(1) monitor the effects of spectrum auction on local wireless use;
(2) facilitate the trading and cross-leasing of spectrum and the migration
of ISM wireless activities to licensed spectrum, and
(3) recommend regionally adjusted spectrum auction reserve prices and
financing terms.

In relation to wireless broadband services for the hearing impaired:

12. that the Commonwealth develop the means to provide hearing-impaired
people with mobile telephones compatible with hearing aids, portable
wireless devices that can communicate through the National Relay Service,
and appropriately adapted video compression and transmission technology for
video communication using sign language.

In relation to general regulatory issues:

13. that the Commonwealth establish an inquiry into the possible
amalgamation of the ACA and the ABA. This would allow for more streamlined
regulation of the dynamic and converging technologies of broadband
telecommunications and broadcast transmission.

In relation to security issues:

14. that the ABA, ACA and law enforcement agencies establish a standing
bureau (or working party) to maintain a watching brief on the potential for
Wi-Fi and other ISM networks to be used for illegal activities.


Issued by:
Geoff Dodd
Assistant Director (Media/Communications)
Liaison & Projects Office, House of Representatives
Tel: w (02) 6277 2063, m 0401 143 724

Have you discovered House News yet?
www.aph.gov.au/house/news





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