Digital radio services—legislative instruments and 2007 discussion paper

The Government has foreshadowed legislative amendments that will require digital radio services to start in the mainland state capitals by 1 July 2009.  An access regime for digital radio services will be administered by the ACCC and will apply to the digital radio multiplex licences that will be used by commercial and community broadcasters to provide digital radio services.

On 27 May 2008, the ACCC issued legislative instruments—decision-making criteria and procedural rules—for the assessment of digital radio access undertakings. The issuing of these legislative instruments followed public consultation on draft legislative instruments.

The ACCC issued a discussion paper on 21 September, 2007 seeking stakeholders’ views on the proposed access regime. Interested stakeholders were asked to make submissions to the ACCC by 2 November, 2007. Submissions received are available below.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) will be responsible for managing the allocation of the new digital radio multiplex licences. Further details on the allocation process can be found on the ACMA’s website.

Submissions to the ACCC’s discussion paper and the draft legislative instruments are available below.