Technical Liaison Groups—Terms of Reference

Scope of the Technical Liaison Group

A Technical Liaison Group (TLG) is a short-term advisory body convened by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (the ACMA). It is a forum for consultation between the ACMA, industry and other stakeholders with an interest in the development and review of technical arrangements for access to a specific band.

The task of the TLG is to consider and advise the ACMA on the technical and regulatory aspects required for the development or review of technical arrangements for a particular band. The ACMA strives to achieve consensus with members. However, TLG members should be aware that the final decision on the content of, or changes to, anytechnical arrangements rests with the ACMA. This is particularly relevant in cases where consensus cannot be achieved on an issue or advice from the TLG is not provided in a reasonable time frame.

The duration of a TLG will typically depend on the complexity of matters to be considered by the members and may be revised by the ACMA depending on issues that arise during discussions. TLG members will be informed of expected time frames and any changes as they occur.

Members are expected to meet all their own costs associated with participation in the TLG, including attendance at meetings, if required. These costs may include meeting lunches, refreshments, travel to and from meetings, and the cost of reproducing documents.

The purpose of the TLG includes, but is not limited to:

providing a general forum for liaison and coordination between the ACMA and members of the TLG, on the development and/or review of technical arrangements and any other issues referred to the TLG

advising the ACMA on the development of or possible changes to the technical arrangements to ensure, as far as practical, the arrangements meets the requirements of existing and future technologies, while managing interference within acceptable levels

assisting the ACMA by identifying other important issues or interests associated with the technical frameworks of the bands.

The issues for consideration for each TLG include, but are not limited to, the review/development of:

development of service-specific band/channel arrangements

development of interference management criteria to facilitate coordinated access to the band by identified services

identifying and resolving issues related to the migration of services operating under existing 28 GHz spectrum licences to the new arrangements

TLG meetings and correspondence

The TLG is expected to operate in an open and consultative manner and members are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times.

It is anticipated that a majority of TLG activities will be undertaken via a SharePoint site hosted by the ACMA. Members of the TLG will be able to post discussion documents and hold confidential conversations in the form of posted messages via the discussion board. The SharePoint site will be moderated by an ACMA staff member, and membership will be limited to TLG members and authorised ACMA staff.

The ACMA may convene meetings of the TLG if deemed necessary. TLG meetings will be conducted either face-to-face, via video conference at the ACMA central offices, or via teleconference. The location and timing of meetings will be determined by the ACMA. The ACMA will consider the needs of committee members and, where possible, attempt to hold meetings at times and in locations that are convenient for TLG members. All TLG meetings will be chaired by an ACMA officer.

Information handling

Documents and material containing the positions and proposals developed through the TLG consultative process are considered to be confidential and subject to privacy markings. The ACMA will ensure that documents are appropriately marked, handled and stored in accordance with the appropriate level of confidentiality and discretion.

TLG members are not permitted to distribute information and materials developed in the TLG, including sensitive or in-confidence information, in any form whether written or verbal, without the prior consent, knowledge and authority of the ACMA.

All TLG members are obliged to respect the confidentiality of the TLG.

The lobbying code of conduct

TLG members who represent third party clients, and engage in lobbying activities, must adhere to the principles of engagement with government representatives contained in the Lobbying Code of Conduct.

Background

In January 2013, the ACMA released the consultation paper Review of licensing arrangements in the 28/31 GHz bands. Following consideration of responses to the consultation paper, the ACMA is of the view that the 27.5–28.35 GHz (28 GHz) bands should no longer be allocated via the issue of spectrum licences. The ACMA is therefore undertaking processes to implement new arrangements in the bands once the existing spectrum licenses expire on the 31January 2014.

To assist in the development of arrangements in the band, the ACMA is convening a Technical Liaison Group (TLG).

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